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The National RegisterBuild your knowledge about the National Register of Historic Places.

The National Register is 46 years old. It was authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966, and is administered by the National Park Service.

1. How old is it?

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Currently, there are 87,265 places listed on the National Register. They represent more than 1.4 million individual resources. And more are added every day.

2. How many places are listed?

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In addition to the honor associated with having your property listed on the National Register, this recognition is generally the first step for receiving preservation funding from state and local governments. It can help towards eligibility for tax credit programs.

3. What are the benefits?

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No (unfortunately). It’s a general misconception that if a property is listed on the National Register it is in some way permanently protected, but that is not necessarily the case.

4. Are there any restrictions for property owners?

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A property will remain on the National Register until it has been altered in such a way that the original, qualifying features have been lost -- for instance, if fires or storms have destroyed the property, or the structure has been moved.

5. How long will a property be listed?

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A property must be at least 50 years old to qualify for National Register listing. (There are special guidelines for nominating places that are younger.)

6. How old does a place need to be?

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Nearly any type of place you can think of can be nominated for the National Register. Districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects -- places that are significant to the community, state, or nation.

7. What types of places can be nominated?

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Any individual can nominate a place to the National Register, but it is recommended that you contact your State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) first, before submitting the appropriate forms.

8. Who can nominate?

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Once nomination forms are submitted to the SHPO, they will contact all related parties, including the owner of the property, local governments, and the public for comments. The SHPO and National Register Review Board will review the nomination and all accompanying information.

Then, after the nomination has been recommended by both the SHPO and Review Board, it goes to the National Park Service for final review.

Finally, the property is officially listed by the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places.

9. What is the nomination process?

Yes, you can access the National Register of Historic Places database online at www.nps.org/gov/nr/research.

10. Can the database be accessed?

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Slide 1: Byram Bridge, Hinds County, MS / listed 1979

Slide 2: Octagon House, Barrington, IL / listed 1979

Slide 3: Stagg Hall, Port Tobacco, MD / listed 1988

Slide 4: Wesley Chapel, Hopetown, OH / listed 1979

Slide 5: Wigwam Village #6, Holbrook, AZ / listed 2002

Slide 6: Comstock covered bridge, CT / listed 1976

Slide 7: Wall Street Stamp Mill, San Bernadino County, CA / listed 1974

Slide 8: Frederick Apartments, Charlotte, NC / listed 2001

Slide 9: Point Betsie Light Station, Benzie County, MI / listed 1984

Slide 10: Bartlesville Downtown Historic District, OK / listed 1991

Slide 12: Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN / listed 1973

National Register Places pictured.

Ten on Tuesday features ten preservation tips each week. For more tips, visit blog.PreservationNation.org.