A historic structure is a building, site, object, or district that has been recognized for its historical, architectural, or cultural significance and is designated by the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This designation helps preserve the nation’s heritage and provides legal protections and funding opportunities for conservation.
Historical Context
The concept of preserving historic structures dates back to the 19th century, when societies began recognizing the value of maintaining buildings and sites that represent cultural and historical milestones. The NRHP was established in 1966 under the National Historic Preservation Act to identify and help protect such valuable heritage.
Designation Criteria
To be listed on the NRHP, a structure must meet specific criteria. These include:
Age and Integrity
- Age: The structure must generally be at least 50 years old.
- Integrity: It must retain its original form and convey its historical significance.
Significance
- Historical Significance: The structure should be associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.
- Association with Significant Persons: It may be linked to the lives of significant persons in our past.
- Architectural Merit: It could be an excellent example of a type, period, method of construction, or represent the work of a master.
- Information Potential: The structure may yield or likely to yield important historical information.
Example:
Consider the Independence Hall in Philadelphia, designated due to its pivotal role in American history as the site where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted.
Applicability and Benefits
Legal Protections
Historic structures listed in the NRHP receive protections from adverse effects due to federally funded or permitted projects through a review process known as Section 106.
Financial Incentives
These structures can qualify for tax provisions and grants for preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation activities. Owners of such properties can benefit from tax credits for rehabilitating historic buildings, providing an economic incentive for preservation.
Special Considerations
Adaptive Reuse
A critical aspect of preserving historic structures is adaptive reuse, which involves repurposing buildings for new uses while retaining their historical elements. This method balances preservation with contemporary functionality.
Example:
The High Line in New York City, a converted elevated rail line turned public park, exemplifies adaptive reuse blending historical preservation with urban revitalization.
Related Terms
- Cultural Heritage: Cultural Heritage encompasses tangible and intangible assets such as monuments, buildings, and practices that possess historical, artistic, or social value.
- Preservation: Preservation refers to the maintenance and repair of existing historic materials and the retention of a property’s form as it has evolved over time.
- Conservation: Conservation involves addressing the various factors that contribute to the degradation of heritage structures and implementing measures to prevent further deterioration.
FAQs
What is the role of the National Register of Historic Places?
How can a property owner get a building listed on the NRHP?
Are all historic structures open to the public?
References
- National Park Service. “How to List a Property in the National Register of Historic Places.” National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, [link].
- Tyler, Norman, et al. “Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice.” W.W. Norton & Company, 2009.
Summary
Historic structures serve as tangible links to our past, embodying historical, architectural, and cultural values. Designation by the NRHP ensures that these landmarks are recognized and protected, allowing present and future generations to benefit from their preservation. Through legal protections, financial incentives, and adaptive reuse practices, the nation’s heritage continues to be honored and sustained.
