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Preserving America's Historic Places
In response to the destruction of older buildings and neighborhoods in the immediate post-World War II years, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) signaled America 's commitment to preserving its heritage.
The NHPA established the framework that focused local, state, and national efforts on a common goal – preserving the historic fabric of our nation.
The NHPA:
- Conceived the national historic preservation partnership involving federal, tribal, state and local governments and the private sector.
- Fostered the system by which federal agencies survey and identify districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture, and use this information to plan projects so that, where possible, historic places are preserved.
- Established the National Register of Historic Places as we know it today. The National Register identifies the significant national patrimony and provides federal recognition to properties of state and local, as well as national, significance.
- Created the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation – charged with advising the President and the Congress on historic preservation matters and working with federal agencies to address historic resources in the fulfillment of their missions.
- Authorized matching grants, now called Historic Preservation Fund grants, to states, Certified Local Governments, and Indian tribes for historic preservation surveys, plans, and projects.
2006 marked the 40th anniversary of the NHPA and of the partnership it created. The National Park Service is proud of its role in the partnership, preserving history not only in nearly 400 national parks but working with thousands of communities to help preserve places important to local history. |
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