The National Register

A national treasure

The passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 created the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), which is now part of the National Park Service's jurisdiction. Congress ratified the Act in an attempt to protect the significant landmarks and properties of the Nation’s past from the threat of rapid urban expansion:

“The Congress finds and declares that . . . historic properties significant to the Nation’s heritage are being lost or substantially altered, often inadvertently, with increasing frequency; . . . in the face of ever-increasing extensions of urban centers, highways, and residential, commercial and industrial developments, the present governmental and nongovernmental historic preservation programs and activities are inadequate to insure future generations a genuine opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the rich heritage of our Nation; . .”

By protecting historic properties from destructive urban developments, future generations of Americans can appreciate the cultural heritage and national history of the United States. Cultural heritage helps give communities a sense of place within their larger social environments. Community residents can nominate properties for either the Federal or State Register. The acceptance of the property to one list or the other depends upon its significance to local versus national history.

You can read the application here