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Historic Sites:
National Register of
Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is an official listing of historically significant sites and properties throughout the country. It is maintained by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. It includes districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that have been identified and documented as being significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture. These sites and properties reflect the prehistoric occupation and historical development of our nation, state, and local communities.
Listing in the National Register does not, in itself, impose any obligation on the property owner, or restrict the owner's basic right to use and dispose of the property as he or she sees fit. It does, however, encourage the preservation of significant historic resources in three ways.:
- by providing official recognition of the historic significance of the property and encouraging consideration of its historic value in future development planning,
- by imposing limited protection from activities involving funding, licensing, or assistance by Federal agencies that could result in damage or loss of its historic values, and
- by making the property eligible for Federal financial incentives for historic preservation
Redevelopment of a listed property which involves Federal funding, licensing, or assistance will be subject to review by the State Historic Preservation officer and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to assure that adequate and appropriate consideration is given to the preservation of the historic qualities for which it was originally listed. This review requirement will also apply to any Federally funded, licensed, or assisted activities undertaken by others that could have an adverse effect on the property.
Federal financial incentives for historic preservation include eligibility for direct matching grants and investment tax credits for the rehabilitation of income producing properties.
For further information on the National Register program, please see the links below:
- Nomination Deadlines & Submittal Policy
- Statewide List of Properties - By County Updated Dec 2007
- Results of Listing
- Nomination Forms, Guidelines & Studies
- National Register Overview
- Digital Photo Policy New !!!
In Washington, the National Register is administered by the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP). Each nomination is reviewed for listing by the Governor's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), which is comprised of citizens knowledgeable in Washington's history, archaeology, and architecture. The nine member board reviews nominations to the registers four times a year, at various locations across the state.
In addition to the National Register of Historic Places program, DAHP also administers the Washington Heritage Register. The Heritage Register recognizes historically significant properties that for various reasons - usually relocation or incompatible alterations - do not meet the higher standards of National Register designation (all National Register properties also are listed on the Heritage Register).
DAHP staff is available to assist with the initial assessments of eligibility of properties to the registers and to provide guidance in the completion of register nominations. For more information contact Michael Houser, Architectural Historian at (360) 586-3076 or email: Michael.Houser@dahp.wa.gov.
Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation
1063 South Capitol Way, Suite 106
Olympia WA 98501
Phone: 360-586-3065
Fax: 360-586-3067