The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation’s historic resources worthy of preservation. Properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places include:
Districts
Sites
Buildings
Structures
Objects
Properties are significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture at local, state or national levels.
National Register of Historic Places
Iowa has more than 2,000 nominations listed on the National Register of Historic Places, totaling more than 15,000 individual buildings, structures, sites and objects.
Properties are documented and evaluated according to uniform standards called the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. The criteria are used to identify important historic and archaeological properties worthy of preservation and consideration in making planning and development decisions.
The National Register of Historic Places is administered by the National Park Service under the Secretary of the Interior and managed at the state level by each respective state.
National Register of Historic Places Benefits & Considerations
A property listed in the National Register of Historic Places benefits from recognition of the property's historic, architectural or archaeological significance. Listed properties are also taken into account during various preservation and development projects.
Benefits
Additional benefits include:
National recognition of the value of the properties to the nation, state of Iowa and community
A tool for local planning, heritage tourism and education
Provides for review of any federally licensed, financed or assisted projects to determine its effect on historic properties
Eligibility for federal and/or state income tax credit
Provides consideration in the decision to issue a surface coal mining permit
Provides qualification for federal assistance for historic preservation (such as planning and rehabilitation), when funds are available.
Considerations
Listing on the National Register of Historic Places does not:
Ensure preservation or protection of a historic property
Restrict a property owner’s private property rights or require that properties be maintained, repaired or restored; however, significant modifications may result in removal from the register
Affect the use or sale of private property
Stop federally assisted government projects
Guarantee that grant funds will be available for all properties
Preservation Assistance
Private preservation efforts, spurred by a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, have resulted in a rise in the value of historic properties and in the creation of construction, business and employment opportunities. Documentation used for evaluating and registering historic properties is the basis for decisions about which properties merit tax incentives or state or federal assistance, in addition to how the properties should be treated to respect their historic character.
Owners may wish to display a plaque commemorating the listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Many local and national trophy, plaque and monument companies produce these types of signs.
National Register of Historic Places and Landmarks FAQs
Learn answers to commonly asked questions about registering a property or landmark with the National Register of Historic Places and Landmarks.
From start to finish, it generally takes about one year to nominate and list a property. The State Historic Preservation Office has a review schedule with specific deadlines that relate to the required review meetings held in February, June and October of each year.
Once a nomination is approved at a review meeting and requested changes are made, it generally takes about two months to hear back from the National Park Service that they have accepted a nomination for listing. There is no way to expedite this process.
All research, writing, revisions, and preparation of nominations are your responsibility. State Historic Preservation Office staff will provide suggestions, directions, and advice throughout the revision process but will not prepare, research, edit, or write nominations for you. Please see Nominating a Property for further details.
Unfortunately, old does not always equal “historic.” In historic preservation, “historic” means that a property is eligible for the National Register.
Eligibility is determined by its historic significance, age (usually at least 50 years or older), and ability to convey that history through its physical appearance, otherwise known as its historic integrity.
Moving a property can be problematic for National Register eligibility. When an historic building, structure, or object is moved, the link between it and its location and setting, both of which are integral to understanding the history of a property, is destroyed.
In general, moved properties are only eligible for the National Register if they have great architectural value or they are the only important, surviving structure or building associated with a significant historic person or event.
Additionally, the new setting for a moved property needs to be similar to its historic setting. More guidance on moved properties is available through the National Park Service.
Before Moving a Property
If you are interested in moving a building, structure, or object that is already listed in the National Register, the National Park Service will need to approve the move prior to it taking place for the property to remain listed.
Moves without advanced approval will result in delisting of the property. Please contact the State Historic Preservation Office to learn more about the required documentation, process, and timeline for approvals.
The State Historical Society of Iowa has Historical Resource Development Program grants that can be used for the repair or restoration of properties listed on the National Register. Tax incentives are also available for the sensitive rehabilitation of historic buildings.
No federal or state regulations prohibit owners from altering, renovating, remodeling or even destroying their listed properties unless the project uses federal money, licenses, or permits or state funds through preservation grants or tax incentives.
If significant modifications that are incompatible with the historic character of the property do occur or if it is demolished, the property may be delisted from the National Register.
Anyone can write a nomination as long as they are willing to put in the time, patience, effort, and willingness to learn that it takes to complete a nomination.
Guidance is available from both the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service. The State Historic Preservation Office will work with you during the process to refine the document, suggest resources for further research, identify areas that need to be strengthened, ensure technical requirements are met, and focus the argument for significance.
List items for National Register of Historic Places FAQs 2
Learn more about the common concerns and questions about property ownership and the National Register of Historic Places.
The National Register of Historic Places is a program administered by the National Park Service in partnership with state historic preservation offices across the country. It is the official federal list of buildings, structures, objects, sites and districts that are significant to local, state or national history in architectural or engineering design; association with historic events, patterns of development, or significant persons; and archaeology. Listing can benefit a property in a number of ways, such as qualification for historic preservation grants and state and federal tax credits. Listed properties and those eligible for listing are also taken into account during the review and compliance process for various preservation and development projects that use federal funds, permits or licenses.
The government does not dictate what property owners choose to do or not do with their properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
No federal or State of Iowa regulations prohibit owners from altering, renovating, remodeling or even destroying their listed properties unless the project uses federal money, licenses, or permits or state funds through grants or tax credits. If significant modifications that are incompatible with the historic character of the property do occur or if it is demolished, the property may be removed from the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, see the National Park Service’s FAQs on restrictions, rules, and regulations for historic property owners.
Regulations for historic properties could be enforced by a city through historic preservation ordinances. Please check with your local governing body if you have questions about possible local ordinances or zoning restrictions.
Private property owners are not required to provided public access, tours or turn it into a museum.
Owners can insure the property and don’t need any type of special insurance if it’s on the National Register of Historic Places.
Listed properties can and should be treated as any other for insurance purposes. Property owners are not required to maintain properties in any specific way nor are they required to hold insurance that mandates the replication of a property if it is accidentally destroyed.
Regardless of whether or not a property is deemed “historic,” poor maintenance, worn-out or broken plumbing, electricity or gas systems may pose insurance headaches for any building. Good maintenance and repairs are a part of property ownership.
Please contact the Iowa Insurance Division with concerns regarding the refusal to underwrite listed properties within Iowa. Alternatively, the National Trust for Historic Preservation also operates National Trust Insurance Services, which offers coverage for historic properties.
Property value and sale ability is not dependent on listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
Though property values are also dependent upon larger market forces, studies show that historic districts and listing of individual properties actually increases value. Buyers interested in these types of properties value the qualities that historic neighborhoods provide and are invested in maintaining those qualities for the future, which often inspires surrounding property owners to do the same. This helps to stabilize neighborhoods, reassuring future buyers that these properties are a good investment in the long run, and provides some buffer against unstable real estate markets.
Listing a property on the National Register of Historic Places will not trigger historic district zoning in your city or neighborhood.
The National Register of Historic Places is separate from historic preservation ordinances enacted at the local level. For questions regarding the existence and details of any historic preservation ordinances, contact your local government.
Installing a plaque identifying the property as listed on the National Register of Historic Places is entirely voluntary.
Q: I was told there are funds to help me fix up my historic property. Where can I obtain more information?
A: Properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places may be eligible for grants or tax incentives. At the state level, the State Historical Society of Iowa offers competitive grants each year. Tax incentives are also available through state and federal tax credits as well as county property tax exemptions. Grants may also be available through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Any property owner wishing to obtain and install a plaque may do so at their own cost. The National Park Service maintains a list of potential vendors from across the country as well as offers suggested wording. The State Historic Preservation Office of Iowa does not require specific wording or have a preferred plaque style.
Q: Someone is threatening to tear down or drastically alter a building on the National Register of Historic Places. Can the historic preservation office or National Park service step in or stop it?
A: In general, as long as no federal funds, licenses or permits are involved, no Iowa or federal regulations give the State Historic Preservation Office or National Park Service the authority to stop a property owner from altering, renovating, remodeling or even destroying their historic property. If the project uses federal money, licenses or permits, the overseeing federal agency must follow established review and compliance procedures
