National Register of Historic Places Nomination
To recognize and preserve places with historic significance, The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) was created as the official list of the nation’s historic resources. The HRHP is administered by The National Park Service, in collaboration with State Historic Preservation Offices in all 50 states. Being listed in the NRHP does not guarantee that a place will not be altered or demolished in the future, but it does provide some protections from development and offers eligibility for financial incentives.
To be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, a place must be nominated.
The nomination process for listing in the NRHP involves working with your state’s Historic Preservation Office before the property goes on to consideration at the federal level. Not every historic place will be accepted for the NRHP, and the standards and guidelines of The National Parks Service and State Historic Preservation Offices could slow down your nomination at the early stages. Writing your own nomination for the NRHP can be challenging, and you may omit information that could benefit your nomination.
When you engage LFE Preservation to create your nomination, you are working with people who appreciate your historic place the same way you do. Our background in architecture informs our approach to authoring compelling and accurate architectural descriptions, a key piece of each nomination. Ultimately, our unique combination of expertise in historic research, architecture, and interior design is what helps us to best capture the ideas and details that make your place truly historic and unique.
We will dig into the history of your place, and put together a complete narrative to help you make the strongest case for listing in the NRHP. When it comes time to submit your nomination we can do everything for you, or guide you through the process, offering feedback and analysis. Let us help you get national recognition for your special place.
Common Misconceptions About The National Register of Historic Places
A NRHP Listing Can Offer:
The ability to order a bronze plaque that proudly shows your property as listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Becoming part of the National Register Archives (A public, searchable database that provides a wealth of research information)
Opportunities for preservation incentives, such as:
Federal preservation grants for planning and rehabilitation
Federal investment tax credits
Preservation easements to nonprofit organizations
International building code fire and life safety code alternatives
Possible State tax benefit and grant opportunities
Assistance from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation when a Federal agency project may affect historic property
What A NRHP Listing Cannot Do:
Cannot place restrictions on what a non-federal owner may do with their property
Does not lead to public acquisition or require public access
Cannot be listed if single owner objects, or a majority of owners object
Does not automatically invoke local historic district zoning or local landmark designation
Fast Facts About The National Register of Historic Places
Via nps.gov
There are a lot of places listed in the National Register– over 96,000 properties as of the end of 2020. These represent 1.8 million contributing resources - buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects.
National Register listings are thoroughly distributed– there is at least one place listed in the National Register in almost every county in the USA.
National Register listings can be valuable– National Park Service-administered federal preservation tax credits may be available for eligible listings. These tax credits have ushered in more than $45 billion in private investment and National Park Service grant programs like Save America's Treasures and Preserve America.