Criteria for Listing a Historic Resource in the National Register of
Historic Places
In order to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places a historic resource (districts,
sites, buildings, structures, and objects) must retain historic integrity. The historic property
must look something like it looked when it was constructed, or achieved its significance. The
resource should possess aspects of location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and
association. Not all of these characteristics need to be present.
In addition, the historic resource has to be historically significant by meeting one of the
following criteria:
A. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our
history; or
B. Associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
C. Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that
represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant
and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction (architectural
significance); or
D. Have yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history
(archaeological significance).
Generally a historic resource needs to be 50 years old or older to be considered for listing to the
National Register of Historic Places. Currently, a building constructed in the middle of the 20th
century has the potential for listing in the National Register. This means that suburban houses
and housing developments from the mid 1950s such as Levittown and others could be
nominated to the National Register. A historic resource can also be included in the National
Register if it is less than 50 years old if it is highly significant.
Historic resources do not have to be nationally significant to be listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. The resource can be important locally, or at the state level.
A historic resource that is nationally significant is designated a National Historic
Landmark as well as listed to the National Register.
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Process for Listing a Historic Resource in the National Register of
Historic Places
The first step to take in listing a historic resource to the National Register is to obtain a
Pennsylvania Historic Resources Survey (PHRS) form from the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission (PHMC), Bureau for Historic Preservation. The form requests basic
information such as the location of the property and the name of the owner. In addition, the
form asks for detailed information about the past and present use, construction materials,
architectural style, size, year built, and any associated events, persons, architects, or builders.
Two narratives must be written. One is a detailed architectural description of the resource and
the other is a detailed history and statement of significance. Interior and exterior black and
white photographs must be taken for individual resources. Streetscape photographs are taken
for historic districts.
The PHRS form is sent to the PHMC and is reviewed by the staff. The staff of the PHMC
meets and determines if the resource is potentially eligible for the National Register. If it is the
PHMC sends a letter stating that the resource appears eligible for the National Register and
sends a copy of the National Register nomination form and instructions. This takes
approximately 2 months including about 1 month for the PHMC staff to review the form
The National Register form is similar to the PHRS form. A draft of the National Register form
is prepared and sent to the PHMC for review. The PHMC then responds with a list of changes,
corrections of grammatical errors and requests for additional information and research. This
takes approximately 6 months including time to prepare the National Register form and time for
the PHMC to review the nomination.
A second draft of the National Register nomination form is prepared that addresses the
comments made by the PHMC and sent back to the PHMC for review. The PHMC reviews the
form and may require some additional information and corrections. Once the PHMC has an
acceptable version of the National Register nomination it is scheduled for review by the PHMC
Historic Preservation Board. The Historic Preservation Board meets quarterly. This takes about
6 months.
Prior to the meeting with the Historic Preservation Board the owner is sent a certified letter
asking if they object to the nomination. If they object they must send a notarized written
response. An objection by the owner does not stop the Historic Preservation Board from
reviewing and approving the nomination and sending it to the Keeper of the National Register
for a formal determination of eligibility. However the property cannot be listed to the National
Register without the owners consent. For historic districts a plan for public participation is
required and a public meeting must be held. All property owners in the district are sent the
certified letter and are given the opportunity to object. If a majority of the owners object then
the district cannot be listed to the National Register.
The Historic Preservation Board meets and discusses the nomination and votes to either,
forward the nomination to the Keeper of the National Register, or not. If they approve the
nomination it most likely is listed to the National Register. This takes about 2 months. The
entire process takes approximately one and a half years or longer.
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Priorities for Listing a Historic Resource to the National Register
of Historic Places
A priority is given to historic resources nominated to the National Register if:

The resource being nominated is a historic district or a multiple property submission or,

The resource is threatened by a state or federally funded or licensed project, significant
alteration, neglect or demolition or,

A historic preservation grant will be used to assist in nominating the property to the
National Register or a grant will be used to restore the property after National Register
listing or,

The 20% Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit will be used to rehabilitate the
property or,

The property is of state or national significance.
All other properties can be listed to the National Register, but they will not be given a
priority and significant time may be added to the National Register nomination process.
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