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National Register of Historic Places Program: Research

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.

 

Click here for the National Register of Historic Places database

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 consists of

• National Register registration form, which provides a physical description of the place, information about its history and significance, and a bibliography.

• Photographs

• Maps (We are plotting our properties into Google Earth layers)

• Use of photographs and forms is available under Fair Use, see our Content and Copyright page for more information

Examine sample National Register nominations by looking at our Sample Nominations page or a highlighted property in our weekly list.

Research our Collection:

• We are currently digitizing our records and have put many of them online in our database at: http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/

• Our database contains digitized files for National Historic Landmarks, National Park properties that are listed in the National Register, Multiple Property (MPS) Covers, and the files for many states.

• The download center has many useful finding aids: for historic contexts (MPS Covers), all listed properties, and Determinations of Eligibility.

• Visit our archives. Open Monday through Friday 9:00am to noon. For security reasons, an appointment is necessary to access our building. To schedule an appointment please contact Jeff Joeckel: 202-354-2225 or e-mail

• Many State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) have digitized their files and put them online. The depth of information available varies from state to state, but ranges from basic locational information to searchable databases with downloadable narrative descriptions and photos. You can check their websites to see if they have the information you need. List of SHPOs extended information.

• Request copies of individual nominations either via e-mailplease include your mailing address and the property name, county, and state. or postal mail:
National Register of Historic Places
National Park Service
1849 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