by Beth L. Savage and Marilyn Harper
U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
PDF of: My Property is Important to America's Heritage What Does that Mean? (5 MB)
1993
Why Should We Preserve Historic Places? If we wish to have a future with greater meaning, we must concern ourselves...with the total heritage of the nation and all that is worth preserving from our past as a living part of the present. -- With Heritage So Rich, 1966 There are a variety of programs to identify and assist in preserving historic properties as living parts of communities, States, and the Nation. In 1992, the U.S. Congress reaffirmed the reasons for enacting these programs:
Established under the Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, the national historic preservation program is a partnership between the Federal, State, and local governments; private, non-profit organizations; and the public. The Act and its provisions establish the framework within which citizens plan, identify, evaluate, register, and protect significant historic and archeological properties throughout the Nation. How Does the Federal Government Designate Properties as Historic? Listing in the National Register of Historic Places The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 assigns the National Register of Historic Places a central role in recognizing buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects significant in American history, archeology, architecture, engineering, or culture, and identifying them as worthy of preservation. Anyone can prepare a nomination to the National Register, working with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) in their State. State and Federal Historic Preservation Officers (FPOs) also survey and evaluate properties in their jurisdictions, determine which of these properties are eligible for listing, and prepare nominations to the Register. Nominations submitted through the States must first be approved by a Review Board appointed by the Governor before being reviewed by the National Register staff. If the professional staff at the National Register concludes that the property meets the criteria for evaluation, it is recommended for listing to the Keeper of the National Register.
Determinations of Eligibility for Listing in the National Register of Historic Places The National Historic Preservation Act also gives the Keeper of the National Register authority to determine that historic properties are eligible for listing in the National Register, without formally listing them. This occurs when:
Designation as a National Historic Landmark To recognize the national significance of properties that possess exceptional values or qualities in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States, the Secretary of the Interior designates some historic places as National Historic Landmarks. National Park Service historians and archeologists study and evaluate these properties within the context of major themes of American history. Properties judged to be nationally significant are nominated by the National Park Service and forwarded to the National Park System Advisory Board, which may recommend to the Secretary of the Interior that the property be designated a National Historic Landmark. When designated, National Historic Landmarks are listed in the National Register.
What Can I Do If I Don't Agree With A Federal Designation? By law, a property cannot be formally listed in the National Register of Historic Places or designated as a National Historic Landmark if the private owner of the property, or a majority of private owners, has filed a notarized objection prior to its listing or designation. In addition, if you believe that any State and Federal decision regarding historic properties
you may appeal the decision by contacting the appropriate State or Federal Historic Preservation Officer. Appeals of National Historic Landmark decisions should be made to the Director of the National Park Service.
What Happens When A Federal Agency Is Planning A Project That May Affect My Property? There are no Federal designations that place Federal restrictions on private property owners. Federal agencies, however, must consider the effects of their activities (construction, licensing, or permits) on historic properties. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 directs Federal agencies to take into account the effects of projects on historic or archeological properties that are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Agencies must consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, an independent Federal agency that advises the President and the Congress on matters pertaining to preservation of historic architectural, archeological, and cultural properties. The Advisory Council comments on how the project affects significant properties. In most cases, agreement on how a project will be carried out with the least harm to important properties is written into a Memorandum of Agreement which is signed by the agency, the SHPO, and the Advisory Council. My State Or Community Says My Property Is Historic. What Does That Mean? Many States and localities have laws to encourage the preservation of their historic places. Some have enacted their own identification procedures, but many use listing in the National Register as an indicator of historic significance. State and local historic preservation programs often provide some protection against the possible harmful effects of State funded, licensed, or assisted projects. Some provide limited financial assistance to owners in the form of grants, loans, or tax benefits. They may establish other protections for preservation purposes. Programs differ from State to State, and within States; your State Historic Preservation Officer or local planning department can give you more information. What Can I Do To Help Protect My Historic Property? I. Use These Tools When Available In Your Community:
II. Use These Tools When Available at the State Level:
III. Use Applicable Federal Tools:
Where Can I Get More Information? National Register of Historic Places This office maintains the National Register and can provide information on the National Register program, including computerized lists of properties, copies of National Register documentation, and information on preparing nominations. The office can also provide names, addresses, and telephone numbers of State Historic Preservation Officers, Federal Historic Preservation Officers and Tribal Preservation Officers. National Historic Landmarks Through the combined efforts of the National Historic Landmarks Survey and the National Historic Landmarks Initiative, the National Park Service conducts the National Historic Landmarks program for the Secretary of the Interior. It is a cooperative endeavor of government agencies, professionals, and independent organizations sharing knowledge with the Service and working jointly to identify and preserve National Historic Landmarks. Advisory
Council on Historic Preservation The Council can provide further information on Section 106 review. List of National Register Bulletins State Historic Preservation Officers Authorities The Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation: Regulations of the National Register of Historic Places (36 CFR 60) under authority of the national Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; Regulations regarding Federal agency Determinations of Eligibility (36 CFR 63) under authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, and Executive Order 11593; Regulations for historic preservation certifications pursuant to section 48(g) and section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (36 CFR 67); Regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 800) under authority of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq. and Executive Order 11593; Regulations of the National Historic Landmarks Program (36 CFR 65) under the authority of the Historic Sites Act of 1935. Copies of these documents are available from the National Register of Historic Places. Acknowledgments This brochure was developed by Beth L. Savage and Marilyn Harper of the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service. Assistance was provided by Rama Ramakrisha. Lawrence E. Aten, G. Bernard Callan, Lars Hanslin, Antoinette J. Lee, Ben Levy, Carol D. Shull, and David W. Lowe offered valuable comments. |
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