By Amanda Forson, WorldVitalRecords.com
The National Register of Historic Places is a function of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior that preserves certain locations that have to do with local, state, and/or national significance.
Day One: If you think that your location should be listed on the register, the guidelines for what is usually approved are found at the following URL: http://www.nps.gov/nr/listing.htm. After reviewing the guidelines and deciding that your property or that of a historical society, genealogical society, or other place should be on the register, a few suggestions follow on the next days.
Day Two: Find out whether or not the building is already on the register. Why make more work for yourself if it has already been done? The list is available at: http://www.nr.nps.gov/
Day Three: If the definitions from Day One are not descriptive enough for you, the following may help: http://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins/nrb15/.
Day Four: In order to complete the forms necessary to receive registration on the National Register, the following instructions would be useful: http://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins/nrb16a/.
Day Five: The actual form for nominating the property is here: http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/publications/downloads/nrform-10-900.pdf. To add more information, use the following: http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/publications/downloads/nrform-10-900a.pdf.
Day Six: There is also the possibility of submitting more than one property at a time, especially since the National Register is determined by historical significance. Some places may not be historically significant by themselves, but when submitted as a group, the area becomes more important.
Day Seven: If in doubt, look over the following sample nomination: http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/research/sample.html. This can give you an idea of what those with decision-making power are looking for.
