Learn About the National Register of Historic Places

What Is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the official list of buildings, districts, sites, structures, and objects in the United States that have significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, or culture. Established in 1966 as part of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Register is maintained by the National Park Service, a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Register serves as a public record documenting historic properties across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and tribal lands.

As of 2024, the National Register includes over 1.1 million historic properties. These range from single-family homes and small commercial buildings to entire historic districts containing dozens or hundreds of structures. The Register covers properties from many time periods—some dating back to the 1600s, while others were added in recent years. The oldest property on the Register is Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico, continuously inhabited since around 1150 CE.

Properties on the National Register span every architectural style and period in American history. Examples include colonial-era courthouses, Victorian mansions, Art Deco theaters, early factories, Native American archaeological sites, Civil Rights landmarks, and twentieth-century modernist buildings. The diversity of the Register reflects the breadth of American history—properties represent not only wealthy or prominent citizens but also everyday people and communities.

The National Register is primarily an informational and recognition tool rather than a regulatory mandate. Being listed does not automatically restrict property owners or require specific actions. However, the listing does document the property's historic significance for public knowledge and may open certain property owners to information about funding opportunities, tax incentives, or preservation grants through various state and federal programs. Understanding what the National Register is helps property owners and community members recognize historic resources in their area and learn about the history embedded in their built environment.

Practical Takeaway: Use the National Register's online database (searchable at nps.gov/nrhp) to explore historic properties in your county or state. Learning about local historic places deepens understanding of regional history and architectural heritage.

How Properties Get Listed on the National Register

The process of getting a property listed on the National Register involves several steps and typically takes months. The journey usually begins with research and documentation. Someone—often a historian, preservationist, property owner, or community member—gathers historical records, photographs, architectural descriptions, and evidence of significance. This research becomes part of a formal nomination form called the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (NPS Form 10-900). The form asks for detailed information about the property's history, architectural features, historical significance, and how it meets one or more of the Register's criteria for significance.

There are four main criteria used to evaluate whether a property has historic significance. Criterion A covers properties significant in American history. Criterion B recognizes properties associated with significant people. Criterion C acknowledges buildings with distinctive architectural or design value. Criterion D recognizes properties that have yielded or may likely yield important information through archaeological investigation. A property needs to meet only one criterion to be considered for listing. Additionally, the property generally must be at least 50 years old, though exceptions exist for properties of exceptional importance.

After the nomination form is completed, it goes to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in the property's state. The SHPO reviews the nomination for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to guidelines. State review typically takes several months. If the SHPO approves the nomination, it moves forward to the National Park Service's Keeper of the Register, a federal official who makes the final determination about listing. The Keeper reviews thousands of nominations annually and either lists the property, requests additional information, or returns the nomination for revision.

The entire process from initial research to final listing often takes one to two years or longer, depending on the complexity of the nomination and any requests for additional documentation. Some nominations move faster, while others require substantial revision and resubmission. It is important to note that nomination does not automatically mean listing—the property must meet established criteria and pass federal review. Communities and preservation organizations across the country conduct much of the nomination work, with support from state historic preservation offices.

Practical Takeaway: If you are interested in nominating a property, contact your State Historic Preservation Office to learn about the nomination process, access guidance documents, and find local preservationists or historians who may have nomination experience.

Understanding National Register Criteria and What Makes a Property Historic

The National Register uses specific criteria to define what makes a property historic and worthy of listing. Understanding these criteria reveals the range of history and heritage that the Register recognizes. Criterion A encompasses properties significant in the broad patterns of history. Examples include a mill that powered industrial development in a region, a building that served as a gathering place for a social movement, or a site where a historically important event occurred. Properties listed under Criterion A might include the Selma to Montgomery marching route in Alabama or the Ellis Island Immigration Station in New York, both recognized for their pivotal roles in American history.

Criterion B recognizes properties associated with the lives of significant historical figures. This does not necessarily mean famous celebrities but rather people who made meaningful contributions to history. Properties listed under this criterion include the childhood home of a civil rights leader, the workshop of an inventor, or the residence of a pioneering educator. Examples span all regions and time periods—from the home of President Harry Truman in Missouri to the residence of female aviator Amelia Earhart in California to the house where author Harriet Beecher Stowe lived in Connecticut.

Criterion C acknowledges properties with distinctive architectural, engineering, or design value, regardless of other factors. A building might be listed under Criterion C because it represents a rare or exceptional example of a particular architectural style, shows innovative construction techniques, or was designed by a renowned architect. Historic districts often are listed under Criterion C for their cohesive architectural character. Examples include the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Illinois and entire neighborhoods like the Garden District in New Orleans, known for Greek Revival and Victorian mansions.

Criterion D recognizes properties that have yielded or may yield important archaeological information. These include prehistoric Native American sites, battlefields, colonial-era settlements, and industrial sites. Many Criterion D properties exist underground or are visible only as landscape features. Archaeologists and researchers use these sites to study human behavior, settlement patterns, and cultural development. Properties like Cahokia Mounds in Illinois, an ancient Native American city, or the Blackwell Historic Farm in New Jersey represent this type of significance.

Practical Takeaway: When learning about a property's listing, check which criterion was used. This reveals why the property was considered historically important and what aspect of history or heritage it represents.

Effects and Implications of National Register Listing

A common misunderstanding about National Register listing is that it creates legal restrictions on property owners. In reality, listing on the National Register itself does not impose regulations on how owners maintain or modify their properties. The Register is a designation that recognizes and documents historic significance; it does not automatically prevent demolition, alteration, or development. A private property owner listed on the National Register may modify or demolish their property without federal restriction based solely on the Register listing.

However, National Register listing does have real implications in specific circumstances. When a property is listed and federal funding or permits are involved in a project, the federal government must consider the historic nature of the property through a process called Section 106 review. For example, if a property owner seeks a federal highway grant, a loan from a federally insured bank, or approval from a federal agency for a project, that agency must evaluate how the project might affect the historic property. This does not prevent projects from occurring; rather, it requires consultation and consideration of alternatives. Additionally, properties in historic districts listed on the National Register may have local zoning protections or architectural review requirements established by the municipality, but these protections come from local law, not from National Register listing itself.

National Register listing does provide several potential benefits for property owners. Owner-occupants of historic homes may be able to take advantage of federal income tax credits for qualified rehabilitation expenses. Properties undergoing rehabilitation sometimes become eligible for state and federal grants or low-interest preservation loans. Historic properties may be protected from demolition through local historic preservation commissions in some jurisdictions. Additionally, being on the National Register can increase property visibility and cultural value, which some communities and property owners view as beneficial for tourism, heritage awareness, and community pride.

The Register also serves informational functions that benefit the public and scholars. Historians, students, preservationists, and curious community members use the Register to research local history, understand architectural heritage