Benifits and Criteria of the National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, gives the Secretary of the Interior the authorization to expand and maintain a National Register of Historic Places composed of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture.  Historic designation in the register can only be obtained once specific criteria have been met.  

The benefits of National Register listing are:

  • Recognition that a property is significant to the nation, state or community.
  • Consideration in the planning for federally assisted projects, including review by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation under Section 106 of the National Preservation Act of 1966.
  • Eligibility for certain federal tax benefits, such as, the investment tax credit for rehabilitation of income-producing buildings and the charitable deduction for donation of easements.
  • Qualification for federal preservation grants when funding is available.