Lesson 17 - Historic and Cultural Resources Planning Flashcards
Historic District
A historic district is a group of buildings, properties or sites that have been designated either at the local, state, and/or national level. This designation is provided when the buildings, properties or sites in the area have been determined to be historically or architecturally significant.
According to the National Register of Historic Places definition, a historic district is:
“[A] geographically definable area, urban or rural, possessing a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united by past events or aesthetically by plan or physical development. A district may also comprise individual elements separated geographically but linked by association or history.”
Districts vary in size from just a few buildings to hundreds of buildings. Within the district, there are contributing and non-contributing buildings, properties, or sites. The first historic district is located in Charleston, South Carolina.
National Register of Historic Places
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service oversees the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register was created in 1966. In order to be designated on the National Register, the building, property or site must have historic significance. For example, George Washington’s homestead would be considered nationally significant.
Being listed on the National Register allows properties to qualify for federal tax incentives. Being listed also provides protection, should the federal government plan to alter the site.
In order to create a district, there is an initial nomination process. This includes documentation of the cultural resources that deserve preservation. The district’s historic resources should be more than 50 years old.
State and Local Historic Districts
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires that all states must have a State Historic Preservation Office. Many states have created their own historic district designations. State and local governments can write their own criteria or use similar criteria based on the National Register. The district can have no restrictions on property owners or they can require strict adherence to historic rehabilitation standards. When implemented at a local level, the district can provide significant protection as local zoning regulations can be implemented.
To learn more about historic districts, visit the National Register of Historic Places’ website. The National Trust for Historic Preservation also provides a wealth of information on historic preservation. APA has a Historic and Cultural Resources Policy Guide. APA also has a briefing paper on how the arts and culture preserve heritage and history.
