NRHP at 60: A Time for Reflection and Discussion

 

The first property listed in the National Register of Historic Places is the Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. It was officially added to the register on November 13, 1966. 

(Photo by Jack E. Boucher/Library of Congress) 

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year. Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 15, 1966, it represents one of the most significant contributions to the historic preservation field in the United States. Among its many legacies, one of the most important was the creation of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), which provides federal recognition of the historic significance of properties across the nation.

Listing on the NRHP can provide numerous benefits, including eligibility for grant assistance, tax incentives, and greater public recognition. With more than 100,000 listed properties, the NRHP has become one of the cornerstones of American historic preservation. At the same time, however, recent years have seen growing criticism of certain aspects of the NRHP and its effects, suggesting that there is room for a broader and more substantive discussion about its future.

In recognition of the NRHP's 60th anniversary, we have decided to initiate such a discussion. Taking a collaborative rather than prescriptive approach, this forum has been created to encourage conversations about the statute and to collect ideas that may contribute to future proposals. Using surveys as a primary communication tool, this project will evaluate not only the issues surrounding the NRHP itself, but also the effectiveness of the survey format as a means of gathering meaningful feedback, opinions, and recommendations.

As part of this effort, a first survey will be launched in the coming weeks to address the nomination process for listing historic properties on the NRHP. As responses are collected, partial results will be shared on this page. All personal information will remain completely anonymous.

This survey represents only the first step in what we hope will become a broader and more substantial initiative—one that may eventually be considered by those responsible for developing regulations and policies concerning historic preservation at the federal level.

Every opinion is valuable to this process. It does not matter how familiar someone is with the preservation field; every individual brings a unique perspective and set of experiences. The surveys will be structured to ensure that all voices can be heard and that each questionnaire yields meaningful and useful results. As stated before, this is only the beginning.

Over the last six decades, the NHPA has profoundly influenced how Americans identify, value, and preserve historic places. While historic preservation once focused primarily on protecting physical resources from change, the field has evolved to recognize a much broader range of cultural expressions, historical narratives, and communities. Today, preservation increasingly seeks to reflect the diversity of the American experience.

It is precisely because of that diversity that the NRHP remains so important. As a steward of our traditions, histories, and ways of life, it helps ensure that future generations can better understand the many stories that have shaped the nation. May the next sixty years continue to expand and strengthen that mission by embracing the full richness and complexity of American culture.