Exceptional Places, Past and Present

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National Historic Landmarks

• Exceptional Places, Past and Present

U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park
Service
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NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
STEWARDSHIP

• What areNational Historic Landmarks?

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NHLs can be
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
STEWARDSHIP

• Buildings
• Districts
• Sites
• Structures
• Objects

Philadelphia Toboggan Co. Carousel 6, CO
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Buildings
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
STEWARDSHIP
Yuma Territorial Prison, AZ

Vizcaya, FL
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Districts
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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Districts are more than the sum of their parts.
Canterbury Shaker Village, NH
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Sites
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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Sometimes sites have no buildings at all.
Rock cairn along the Lolo Trail, ID
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Structures
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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Boston Harbor Island Light Station, MA
Eads Bridge, MO
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Some National Historic Landmarks are well known,
others are not.
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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Empire State Building, NY

Sloss Furnace, AL
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How many are there?
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• Fewer than 2,500 properties have qualified
• 2025 new landmarks are named each year

Temple Square, UT
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NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
STEWARDSHIP

• Designation of National Historic Landmarks began
  in 1960

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NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
STEWARDSHIP

• What are the criteria forNational Historic
  Landmarkdesignation?

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Association with events...
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• Locations where nationally significant historical
  events occurred
  

Oregon Trail, South Pass, WY
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NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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Events may represent any time period.
Brandywine Battlefield, a Revolutionary War site,
PA
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Association with people...
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• Places where prominent Americans lived or worked

Jazz musician John Coltranes house, PA
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NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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Thomas Jeffersons Poplar Forest, VA
Henry Thoreaus Walden Pond, MA
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Association with ideals...
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• Places that represent ideals that shaped the
  nation

Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church,
Selma, AL
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Outstanding architecture or design
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• Outstanding examples of design or construction
• Unusual construction
• Superb craftsmanship
• Design innovation

Alden Dow home and architectural studio , MI
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NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
STEWARDSHIP
Hotel Del Coronado, CA

Charlestons Market Hall, SC
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Characterizing a way of life...
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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Shakertown at Pleasant Hill, KY
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Ability to yield information...
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• Mostly archeological sites

Abo Mission, NM
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NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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Wailua Complex of Heiaus, HI
Kijik
Archeological District, AK
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How does a property becomea National Historic
Landmark?
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
STEWARDSHIP

• For designation information, visit the NHL web
  site

Bear Butte, SD
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Who owns National Historic Landmarks?
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• More than half are owned privately
• Others are owned by institutions or government
• Many are supported by friends groups

Laurel Hill Cemetery, PA
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NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• How do owners benefit from designation?

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Owners receive...
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• Honorary recognition
• Funding information
• Technical assistance

Wynnewood, TN
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Honorary recognition
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• A bronze plaque is available upon request

Columbus Landing Site, USVI
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Financial assistance
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• NHLs get funding priority in some cases
• Kennecott Mines received a federal Save
  Americas Treasures grant

Kennecott Mines, AK
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Networking opportunities
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• National Park Service newsletter

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A Stewards Association offers...
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• Networking with NHL peers, outreach, advocacy,
  education

NHL Stewards visit West Point, NY, in 1998
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Information and public education
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• Comprehensive web site
• Technical assistance
• Report to Congress

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NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
STEWARDSHIP

• What threatens National Historic Landmarks
  today?

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Threats include...
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• Deterioration
• Incompatible new construction
• Damaging uses
• Erosion
• Vandalism and looting
• Demolition

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NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• Deterioration tops the list

New Almaden General Store, CA
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Web Site www.cr.nps.gov/nhl
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
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• Funding sources
• Landmarks database
• Virtual visits
• Training information
• Online publications

Old State Capitol, IA
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National Park Service support offices and parks
offer
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
STEWARDSHIP

• Localized assistance
• Technical support
• Conferences and workshops
• Survey and nomination help

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The public also benefits
NHL EXAMPLES BEGINNINGS CRITERIA THREATS
STEWARDSHIP

• Some NHLs are open to the public
• Tourism boosts local economies
• The public better understands our American
  heritage

Mission Concepcion, TX
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For more information contact the National Park
Service
This program has been made possible, in part,
with special funding by the National Park
Servicethrough its Cultural Resources Training
Initiative.
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National Historic Landmarks

• Exceptional Places, Past and Present

U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park
Service