What is the National Register?

The National Register of Historic Places is the official Federal list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture.  The National Register challenges us to define how our built environment contributes to an understanding of the historic and cultural foundations of our communities, our state, and our nation.  Because the Register helps us understand the ways in which historic properties are important, it allows us to make informed decisions regarding their continued use.

Since the 1980s, the Kentucky Heritage Council has been recognized for its successful National Register Program.  In fact, among all states, Kentucky has the fourth highest number of listings in the National Register of Historic Places.  From 1998 to 1999, Kentucky gained 75 Register listings and 3 official Determinations of Eligibility, bringing its total to 3,015 listings overall.

But numbers alone do not tell the full story.  Throughout the 1990s, authors of Kentucky Register nominations have fully implemented the “context-based” system of evaluation required by the Park Service. This approach to defining the significance of the nominated resource calls for the property to be compared with other similar kinds of properties.  By this process of comparison, the meaning and value of the nominated property can be better understood.

Oakhurst, Murray State University, Calloway County
 
• What does the National Register mean for property owners?
• How do I list my property on the Register?
• What kind of information does a National Register nomination require?
• Can non-professionals list a property(ies) on the Register?
• What are the benefits of National Register listing?
• Who serves on the Kentucky Historic Preservation Review Board and what is their role?
• Recently approved National Register nominations
• Visit the National Park Service’s National Register website
• Who do I contact for more information on Kentucky’s National Register program?
• Who can I contact to prepare a National Register nomination for my property?