Overview of the National Register
of Historic Places

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 authorized the Secretary of the Interior to "expand and maintain a National Register of Historic Places composed of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture." The National Register recognizes places that are important to our local, state, and national heritage and are worthy of preservation. It helps federal, state, and local governments identify those places that should be considered in planning and those whose preservation should be encouraged through economic incentives and technical assistance. In addition, the National Register files themselves are a valuable archive of information about our nation’s historic places, but perhaps the most important result of National Register listing is the recognition that it brings. Private citizens and organizations and local governments can use this recognition to raise awareness and encourage historic preservation.

The South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has produced a brochure on the The National Register of Historic Places, which briefly describes the program and includes the National Register criteria and the results of listing. It is available online in PDF Adobe Acrobat format or you can contact Deborah Jackson at jackson@scdah.state.sc.us for paper copies.

For more information:

• Law and Regulations
  The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, which established the National Register program, is posted on the National Park Service website. You can access the regulations (36 CFR 60.1 through 60.15) governing the National Register program from the National Park Service website.
   
• Results of National Register Listing
  Follow this link to Results of Listing in the National Register to find out more about what Register-listing means for historic properties.
   
• How to List a Property in the National Register
  Hotline #1: How to Nominate a South Carolina Property to the National Register of Historic Places describes the steps for getting a property listed in the National Register.
   
• South Carolina’s National Register Properties
  Follow this link for information about the properties in South Carolina that are listed in the National Register.
   
• National Register Eligibility
  Follow this link to Eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places to find out what it means when a property is "eligible for the National Register," but not listed in the National Register.
   
  Follow this link to My Property is Important to America's Heritage: What Does That Mean? to find answers to questions for owners of historic properties.