Humans have left behind an incredible legacy of remarkable historical places that tell a remarkable tale about our past – such as monuments, archaeological sites, and buildings.
Experienced learning can be enhanced through visits to historical places, which combine academic instruction with real-life experiences and facilitate greater comprehension of history and culture for students.
The National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of historic places worthy of preservation in America, including districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects which contribute significantly to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture. Administered by both the National Park Service and each state preservation office.
The nomination process involves property owners, sponsors and their consultants preparing an inventory and National Register nomination form in accordance with federal regulations. Multiple Property Submissions (MPSs) may also be part of this process and involve several related properties or an entire district.
Typically, a property must fulfill several criteria to be eligible: It should be significant in history, architecture, archaeology or culture and have integrity in location, design, setting materials craftsmanship and feeling. Cemeteries, gravesites of historical figures or birthplaces or graves for commemorative properties do not qualify; however, they may meet extra requirements referred to as Criteria Considerations.
The National Historic Landmarks Program
The National Historic Landmarks program of the National Park Service identifies historic properties as having nationally significant stories or themes. Of all 87,000 historic properties listed in the National Register, less than 2,500 of them hold this distinction; for this program to work effectively it relies heavily on staff expertise for nomination and support of existing landmarks.
Nominations for potential National Historic Landmarks must come from local sponsors, usually a State historic preservation office. National Park Service guidance on nominating sites identifies themes and criteria which must be fulfilled to have any chance at being named an NHL.
Front Range assisted the Wyoming SHPO in creating a Letter of Inquiry regarding the Quebec-1 Missile Alert Facility located north of Cheyenne, Wyoming. This underground launch control facility was built during the Cold War as part of Minuteman ICBM missile defense system; however it was decommissioned in 2005. Front Range’s assistance allowed this property to remain on their list.
The National Historic Sites Act
The National Historic Sites Act of 1935 brought all federal parks, monuments, and other historical places under the supervision of the Secretary of the Interior for administration by creating the National Historic Sites Act (NHSA) which laid out historic preservation as both a duty and policy goal for government for the first time; its introduction can be seen hinted at in 1906 via Antiquities Act. NHPA provided for definition of “traditional cultural place”, impact assessment process on historic resources (Section 106) when considering projects.
This law expanded the role of private citizens in preservation by enabling them to nominate sites for consideration, and creating State Historic Preservation Offices and the National Register of Historic Places. Furthermore, any work funded, approved or undertaken by federal agencies must consider their actions on any historic resources listed on NRHP whenever feasible – making the NHPA one of the most comprehensive preservation laws ever passed in this country.
The National Historic Preservation Act
The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), passed in 1966 to prevent further loss of historic places, established institutions to ensure their preservation including an Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Offices and National Register of Historic Places as well as Section 106 review process for federal projects that may affect historical properties.
The Act also established a Historic Preservation Fund, providing grant monies to assist States and Certified Local Governments implement its requirements. Grants provided can assist with inventorying, planning, rehabilitation of historic sites as well as heritage tourism revenue generation opportunities for communities.
Federal agencies with jurisdiction over historic properties must adhere to the Section 106 consultation process outlined in 36 CFR Part 800. Any undertaking or action which might affect an historic property falls under this compulsion – from CORPS permits and FCC funding (cell towers) approvals/funding arrangements through to HUD funding approvals/allocations and many more.
