National Historic Landmark

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National Historic Landmark is a designation given by the United States Secretary of the Interior to historic buildings, districts, objects, and sites that have been determined to be of exceptional value to the History of the United States. These landmarks are considered to be of the highest national significance, and are often associated with significant events, people, or cultural movements, such as the American Revolution, the Civil War, or the Harlem Renaissance. The program is administered by the National Park Service, in partnership with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and is designed to recognize and protect the nation's most important cultural and historical resources, including those related to Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Susan B. Anthony. The designation is also closely tied to the work of organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Institute of Architects.

Definition and Criteria

The definition and criteria for National Historic Landmarks are established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which requires that designated sites be of exceptional value in illustrating the History of the United States. The criteria include association with significant events, people, or cultural movements, such as the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the California Gold Rush, or the Women's Suffrage Movement. Sites must also possess high architectural or artistic value, as seen in the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, or Frank Furness. Additionally, landmarks must be in a condition that allows them to convey their significance, and must be adequately documented and maintained, as is the case with sites such as Independence Hall, Monticello, and the White House. The National Register of Historic Places and the National Park Service work together to identify and evaluate potential landmarks, often in consultation with experts from institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress.

The National Historic Landmark program was established in 1935, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Historic Sites Act, which authorized the National Park Service to identify and preserve historic sites of national significance, including those related to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt. The program was expanded and formalized with the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which established the National Register of Historic Places and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Since then, the program has grown to include over 2,500 designated landmarks, including sites such as Gettysburg National Military Park, Yellowstone National Park, and the Statue of Liberty. The program has also been influenced by the work of organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The listing process for National Historic Landmarks involves a thorough evaluation of a site's historical significance, architectural merit, and condition, often involving consultation with experts from institutions such as the National Archives and Records Administration and the United States Geological Survey. The process typically begins with a nomination from a state or local preservation organization, such as the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation or the California State Historic Preservation Office. The nomination is then reviewed by the National Park Service and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, which provides recommendations to the United States Secretary of the Interior. If a site is designated as a National Historic Landmark, it is automatically listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is eligible for funding and technical assistance from the National Park Service and other preservation organizations, such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the World Monuments Fund.

National Historic Landmarks can take many forms, including historic buildings, such as Fenway Park and the Empire State Building; historic districts, such as the French Quarter and Savannah Historic District; and historic objects, such as the Liberty Bell and the Star-Spangled Banner. Landmarks can also include sites of significant events, such as the Battle of Gettysburg and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom; and sites associated with significant people, such as Mark Twain and Harriet Tubman. Additionally, landmarks can include cultural landscapes, such as the Grand Canyon and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; and historic engineering works, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the Hoover Dam. The National Park Service and the National Register of Historic Places work together to identify and evaluate potential landmarks, often in consultation with experts from institutions such as the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Institute of Architects.

The list of National Historic Landmarks includes a wide range of sites, from the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall to the Golden Gate Bridge and the Alamo. Other notable landmarks include the White House, Monticello, and the United States Capitol; as well as sites associated with significant events, such as the Battle of Little Bighorn and the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. The list also includes sites related to Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Susan B. Anthony, among many others. The National Register of Historic Places provides a comprehensive list of all designated landmarks, which can be searched by state, county, or keyword, and includes information on sites such as Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and the Grand Canyon.

The National Historic Landmark program has had a significant impact on the preservation of the nation's cultural and historical resources, including those related to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt. The program has helped to raise awareness of the importance of historic preservation, and has provided funding and technical assistance to support the preservation of designated landmarks, often in partnership with organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the World Monuments Fund. The program has also helped to promote tourism and economic development in communities with designated landmarks, such as New Orleans and San Francisco. Additionally, the program has helped to support the work of preservation organizations, such as the National Park Service and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, which work to identify and preserve historic sites of national significance, including those related to Mark Twain, Harriet Tubman, and the American Revolution. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the National Register of Historic Places provide a framework for the preservation of historic sites, and the United States Secretary of the Interior plays a key role in the designation and preservation of National Historic Landmarks, often in consultation with experts from institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress.

Category:National Historic Landmarks