National Register Research

The National Register of Historic Places is testing a new database. You can help us test it. It is at: http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov -- let us know what you think.

We are currently digitizing our records, and they are being put into the new database. As of 10/15/08 the database hold pdfs for National Historic Landmarks, National Park Service, DC and Kentucky properties.

Digitized multiple property nomination contexts and GSA properties are searchable through the NRIS database . To find out more about the scanning project and partnership opportunities, click here .

Since its inception in 1966, more than 80,000 properties have been listed in the National Register. Together these records hold information on more than 1.4 million individual resources--buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects--and therefore provide a link to the country's heritage at the national, state, and local levels. The documentation on each property consists of photographs, maps, and a National Register registration form, which provides a physical description of the place, information about its history and significance, and a bibliography. Although not yet available, we are working diligently on making individual nomination documentation accessible on-line in the near future. Researchers can take advantage of this unparalleled collection in a number of ways:

• Discover which properties are listed by using the National Register Information System (NRIS), a computerized database that contains information on every property in the Register. Instructions on using this database can be found at Using the NRIS , or you can directly access the NRIS database .
• Visit our archives. Open Monday through Friday 9:00am to noon . For security reasons, an appointment is necessary to access our building. The Reference Desk may be reached at 202-354-1495 to schedule an appointment.
• Request copies of individual nominations:

To ensure that you receive the file you want, please include the official historic name, the county and state in which it is located ( available through the NRIS ) , and your mailing address. National Register of Historic Places
National Park Service
1839 C St., NW (MS 2280)
Washington, DC 20240

Please note, due to irradiation of USPS mail in Washington, DC, we recommend sending official correspondence to us by direct or overnight mail at the following address:

1201 Eye St., NW
8th Floor (MS 2280)
Washington, DC 20005

You may also request copies of nominations through e-mail or telephone at 202-354-1495, but please include the same information. Copies will be provided as quickly as possible, corresponding to the current level of demand. You may also request copies of nominations from the appropriate State Historic Preservation Office.

• You may search Multiple Property Submission (MPS) contexts. These context statements organize National Register documentation by historical themes, property types, or geographic areas and often represent seminal research in the field of cultural resource management.
• Examine a sample National Register nomination .