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National Register of Historic Places: What You Should Know
Having
a place listed on the National Register of Historic Places is one way Iowans can
help preserve the state’s cultural resources. And by places, the National
Register not only designates significantly historic homes, but also entire districts,
sites, structures and objects.
The National Register of Historic Places is coordinated through the State Historical Society of Iowa’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and is administered by the National Park Service under the U.S. Department of the Interior. Properties on the National Register of Historic Places have been deemed significant to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture, and contribute to the understanding of the country’s historical and cultural foundations.
Here
are some questions to consider if you have a property you think should be placed
on the National Register of Historic Places:
• Is it associated with events that have made a significant contribution
to our history?
• Is it associated with the lives of persons significant in our past?
• Does it embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method
of construction?
• Has its significance been achieved more than 50 years ago?
If you answered “yes” to any of the questions, you may want to consider pursuing a National Register of Historic Places nomination. Nominations undergo a minimum of three reviews prior to being forwarded to the National Park Service for review and listing. Applicants must first complete a nomination form that includes documentation of the property based on research completed either by the owner or a consultant. Historical Society staff first review the nominations, and if everything is in order, the nomination is forwarded to the State Nominations Review Committee, which meets three times per year. Once approved by this committee, the nomination is sent to the National Park Service for final listing.
Twice per year, the State Historical Society holds a National Register of Historic Places Workshop that provides valuable information about the review and nomination process. The workshop helps participants understand what it means to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, guides them in researching a historic property, explains the procedures for nominating a property to the National Register and clarifies the questions on the nomination form. The next workshop will be October 28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust Des Moines. Cost is $35 and registrations must be made in advance by contacting Beth Foster Hill, (515) 281-4137 or Beth.foster@iowa.gov. A downloadable registration form is also available.
