[Preservation Tips & Tools] Historic Designations: What Do They Mean?

What Do They Mean?

HISTORIC DESIGNATIONS

National Historic Landmark (NHL)NHLs are the MVPs of America’s historic places. Each

“represents an outstanding aspect of American history and culture.”

NHLs are places… with the strongest association with a

significant event in our nation's history.

NHLs are places…that are an exceptional representation of a particular building or engineering

method, technique, or building type.

NHLs are places… that best tells the story of an individual who played a significant role in

the history of our nation.

NHLs are places… that have the potential to yield

new and innovative information

about the past through

archeology.

There are fewer than 2,500 National Historic Landmarks nationwide.

All NHLsare automatically included in the

National Register for Historic

Places (but not vice versa).

National Register for Historic PlacesThe National Register is managed by the National Park Service, and

is the nation’s official list of historic structures.

The National Register…has more than 80,000 listings, made up of 1.4 million individual resources --

buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects.

The National Register…includes at least one listing from nearly every county in the United

States.

The National Register…focuses on buildings that are more

than 50 years old (newer buildings

must be especially significant).

Contrary to popular belief,neither of these designations (National Historic Landmark or the National

Register) affect what private owners can do with their property or come with

any obligation to open it to the public.

However,both do offer protections -- in the form of significant legal hurdles -- in the

event that federal government work threatens a place (when building a

highway, for example). They may also make property owners eligible for

preservation funds and federal historic tax credits.

State RegistersWhere the rubber starts to meet the road from a property owner

perspective is at the state level. In many cases, listing here triggers

regulatory protection from state government actions or governs

whether a property owner is eligible for tax benefits and incentives.

Connect with your SHPO.The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers can connect

you with your state’s historic preservation office, which should be able to fill

you in on the ins-and-outs of your state’s policies.

Local RegistersCommunities may choose to enact a preservation ordinance to put

greater protections in place for their historic resources.

Local ordinances have two significant strengths.They are tailored to the local community, and they offer the most protection for

privately owned buildings due to review requirements.

“ Those review requirements are what people most often notice (and complain) about regarding preservation at a local level. But remember the benefits!

Local registers…help preserve the character and

quality of the community over

time.

Local registers…give property owners more confidence in the long-term stability of the

neighborhood -- which means they’re more likely to make investments in their

property to the benefit of the entire community.

Local registers…promote pride and appreciation of the character and history of the

community.

Local registers…help property owners begin to see themselves not only as owners but also as

stewards of history.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America’s

historic places. Preservation Tips & Tools helps others do the same

in their own communities.

For more information, visit blog.preservationnation.org.

Photos courtesy: NCinDC, Samet K Jian, Flickr; Slick-O-Bot, Wikimedia CommonsAdam Fagen, Flickr; cmh2315fl, Flickr; ForestJay; Wikimedia Commons; Don Shall, Flickr; Michele Mazzoli, Flickr; Photos by Clark, Flickr; Troy B Thompson, Flickr; NCinDC, Flickr; NPS Cultural Landscape Program, Flickr; Teresa Boardman, Flickr; US Army Corps of Engineers, Flickr; Don Shall, Flickr; Ed!, Wikimedia Commons; Wally Gobetz, Flickr; Fletcher6, Wikimedia Commons; NCinDC, Flickr; Fletcher6, Wikimedia Commons; Emily Farah/Essential Public Radio, Wikimedia Commons.

Adapted from “Preservation 101” prepared by the Preservation Leadership Forum.