National Register of Historic Places

National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is a federal program in the United States that aims to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect historic and archeological resources. The program is administered by the National Park Service (NPS), a branch of the United States Department of the Interior.

History

The National Register of Historic Places was established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The legislation aimed to preserve historical and archaeological sites in the U.S. by creating a formal process for documenting and recognizing them.

Criteria for Inclusion

To be eligible for the NRHP, a property must meet at least one of four main criteria. These include association with significant events or patterns in history, association with significant persons, architectural significance, and potential to yield important information in history or prehistory.

Types of Listings

There are several types of listings on the National Register of Historic Places, including historic districts, historic sites, historic buildings, historic structures, and historic objects. Each type of listing has specific criteria that must be met for inclusion.

Impact

Listing in the National Register of Historic Places provides formal recognition of a property’s historical, architectural, or archeological significance. It also identifies historic properties for planning purposes and ensures that these properties are considered in the planning of state or federally assisted projects.

See Also

• List of the oldest buildings in the United States
• National Historic Landmark
• National Trust for Historic Preservation