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National Register of Historic Places
Historic & Archaeological Sites Inventories
Certified Local Governments
Preservation Planning
Tax Incentive Program
Federal Project Review (Section 106)
Other Functions
Archaeological Survey
Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month
Other links
The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), a division of the Idaho State Historical Society, has been in existence since 1971. The office functions on a grant from the National Park Service.
The professional staff consists of the Deputy SHPO/State Archaeologist, the Deputy SHPO/Compliance Coordinator, Grants Manager, Architectural Historian, Preservation Planner, Historic Sites Registrar, Curator of Archaeology, Associate State Archaeologist/Education Coordinator, Compliance Archaeologist, Compliance Review Officer, and Collections Coordinator.
The SHPO program is divided into six major operational areas: the National Register of Historic Places program, State Historic and Archaeological Sites Inventories, Certified Local Government (CLG) grants management, Preservation Planning, Tax Incentives, and Federal Historic Preservation Project Review (Section 106 Review).
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) was created in 1966 by the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act. The purpose of the register to recognize and document buildings, structures, or places (historic and archaeological sites) of importance to history or prehistory. More than 7000 Idaho properties are listed in the National Register. The Idaho NRHP program is a broad-based activity that identifies, either individually or as part of a district, and evaluates the state's cultural resources, nominates them to the National Register when appropriate, and provides technical assistance and guidance for public-and private-sector individuals, organizations, and government agencies.
A complete list of Idaho sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places is available online. New Idaho properties are listed in an addendum. Both documents requires Adobe Acrobat Reader; a free copy can be downloaded,
To access the National Register Database at the National Park Service, click here.
Download, print, and fill out the National Register Eligibility Questionnaire for listing your property on the National Register of Historic Places. (Acrobat format)
State Historic and Archaeological Sites Inventories
The SHPO is the state clearinghouse for documentation of all recorded historic and archaeological sites in Idaho. The current inventory consists of more than 50,000 historic and archaeological site records. This information is available to students, researchers, and agencies for research and evaluation of the potential project effects on cultural resources.
Certified Local Governments
The Certified Local Government program is a cost-effective local, state, and federal partnership for diverse communities taking action to preserve their unique historic character. This program provides valuable technical assistance and small grants to local governments seeking to keep for future generations what is important and significant from their past. The CLG Program responds to the needs of many different kinds of local communities and links them to the national historic preservation program established by the National Historic Preservation Act. In recent years, the Idaho SHPO has distributed about $50,000 annually. Twenty-five communities are participating in the program. Read more about how to become a CLG in the CLG program booklet.
For those CLGs interested in grants from the National Park Service, download the Grants Handbook booklet for application instructions and regulations for completing grants. (Acrobat format)
For a current list of Certified Local Government contacts: PDF format; Word format.
Preservation Planning
Determining the historical significance of a building or place requires an understanding of its context. Is the building of national, state, or local historical importance? Why is it important at any level? The development of the state's Historic Preservation Plan and the ongoing development of historic contexts helps justify historical significance.
The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is updating its long-term historic preservation plan for the state. “A View to the Future” has been a guidepost for SHPO activities for many years and serves as a general guide for local governments, historical societies, and individuals interested in Idaho’s history.
The current Plan is accessible at:
A View To the Future: A Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan for Idaho (Acrobat format)
A draft of the updated Plan will be available in October. The final draft will be submitted to the National Park Service in November.
We strongly encourage YOUR input and ideas and suggestions as we update this plan! What are the goals and objectives that you think should take priority for historic preservation in Idaho in the near future? What historical topics need more study? Are there geographic areas of the state that you feel should be surveyed for historic sites? What are the priorities and needs of your community? These and any other topics and suggestions are welcome!
Please send all comments to us directly at:don.watts@ishs.idaho.gov
or: Plan Updatec/o State Historic Preservation Office210 Main St.,Boise, ID 83702
Tax Incentive Program
Another important program under the SHPO is the administration of the federal tax incentives available to private developers and owners who rehabilitate historic buildings for commercial purposes. In the past several years, this program has generated over $25,000,000 of private construction investment and has aided in the preservation of more than fifty historic buildings in Idaho.
A Guide for Owners Applying for Project Certification in Idaho
Federal Historic Preservation Project Review (Section 106)
The National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consult with the SHPO during the planning of any federal action that may affect cultural resources. The role of the SHPO in federal project review is to reflect the interests of the State and its citizens in the preservation of Idaho's rich cultural heritage. This process provides an important planning function by assisting federal agencies in the recognition and protection of sites, buildings, and structures that are important to Idaho's past. Currently, the Idaho SHPO provides professional opinions on approximately 1,300 federal projects per year.
- Archaeological Survey Report Form (Word document)
- ASI Archaeological Site Inventory Form (Word document)
- Guidelines for Documenting Archaeological and Historical Surveys (Word document)
- Guidelines for Evaluating Cultural Properties (Word document)
- Determination of Eligibility Form (Word document)
- Section 106 Review Process Guidance, click here.
- Laws and Statues protecting Archaeological Resources including Caves and Burials
- Photographic Standards for Archaeological and Historic Sites Inventory Forms and National Register Nominations
- State, Federal, and Tribal cultural resources contacts (Acrobat format)
- A list of cultural resources consultants can now be found on the Preservation Idaho website at www.preservationidaho.org
- RecordSearchGuidelines (Word document)
- RecordSearchForm (pdf, latest free Adobe Acrobat Reader required)
Other Functions
An adjunct program within the SHPO is the Archaeological Survey of Idaho (ASI), created by legislative action in 1992. The purpose of this body is to maintain the archaeological database, serve as a clearinghouse for all archaeological site reports, curate archaeological collections for the state and promote archaeological research, publication, and education. This program has satellite offices at the University of Idaho and Idaho State University. A small fraction of the NPS grant is used to maintain the archaeological database at the three facilities.
Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month
Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month is during the month of May.
Other historic preservation links:
Learn about the activities of Preservation Idaho: The Idaho Historic Preservation Council, including their annual "Orchids and Onions" awards program.
Read about the Tolo Lake Mammoths.
The National Park Service's Heritage Preservation Services has a 15-program web site designed to help identify, evaluate, protect, and preserve historic properties nationwide. http://www2.cr.nps.gov
Learn more about the National Register through their publications. Some bulletins are available on the Web, and paper copies of all Register publications can be obtained by mailing in the order form. http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/nrpubs.html
Hard copies of the publications referenced above can be printed from this site. Anyone unable to access these publications can request hard copies by calling the SHPO office at 1-208-334-3861.
How are we doing? We invite you to participate in our customer service survey for the State Historic Preservation Office. Just click on the link and follow the directions. If you have trouble opening the site, please let us know and we can send you a hard copy to complete. Thank you.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=f7JttmltrRJgsndW6OnVSA_3d_3d
Contact: Mary Anne Davis
 Idaho State Historical Society2205 Old Penitentiary Road Boise, Idaho 83712 Boise, Idaho 83712 Phone 208-334-2682 Fax 208-334-2774 |
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