National Register of Historic Places

National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the United States's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, it is administered by the National Park Service as part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources. The register includes a wide variety of property types, from buildings and structures to districts, sites, and objects, that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture.

History and establishment

The creation of the register was a direct result of growing national concern over the loss of historic resources, amplified by projects like the demolition of New York City's original Pennsylvania Station and the construction of the Interstate Highway System. Key legislative precursors included the Historic Sites Act of 1935, which empowered the Secretary of the Interior to document significant properties. The pivotal National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, established the register and the broader framework for historic preservation, creating the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and mandating the role of State Historic Preservation Offices. This legislation was influenced by earlier efforts like the United States Conference of Mayors' report with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Criteria and listing process

For a property to be listed, it must meet at least one of four established criteria, demonstrating significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. These criteria are association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history, association with the lives of significant persons, embodiment of distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or yielding information important in prehistory or history. The nomination process typically originates with property owners, historical societies, or government agencies, and is reviewed by the relevant State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service. Certain properties, such as those owned by religious institutions or moved from their original locations, have specific considerations for eligibility.

Property types and categories

Listings encompass a diverse range of resources, primarily categorized as buildings, structures, sites, districts, and objects. Buildings, like the Empire State Building or a rural farmhouse, are created principally to shelter human activity. Structures, such as the Brooklyn Bridge or a frontier fort, are functional constructions. Sites are the locations of significant events or prehistoric habitation, like the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Historic districts possess a concentration of linked resources, such as the French Quarter in New Orleans. Objects are often artistic in nature, like monuments or sculptures. Special designations include National Historic Landmarks, which have been recognized for exceptional national significance by the Secretary of the Interior.

Effects and protections

Listing is primarily an honorary designation that recognizes a property's historical value. While it does not provide absolute protection from private alteration or demolition, it does trigger important procedural safeguards. The most significant is the review process under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their undertakings on listed or eligible properties. This process is coordinated by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Listing also makes properties eligible for certain federal preservation grants, such as those from the Historic Preservation Fund, and for investment tax credits. State and local laws often provide additional layers of protection for listed properties.

Statistics and notable listings

The register includes over 95,000 listings, encompassing more than 1.8 million individual resources, from every state and territory, including the District of Columbia. The first listed property was the Robert E. Lee-owned Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, in Virginia. Notable listings span the breadth of American history, from ancient sites like Mesa Verde National Park to iconic modern architecture like the Seattle Space Needle. Other significant entries include the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The register also documents more commonplace history through listings like Main Street commercial districts and Route 66 alignments. Category:National Register of Historic Places Category:Historic preservation in the United States Category:National Park Service