The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 ( Federal Regulation 36 CFR 60<http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/regulations.htm> ) the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources. To be considered eligible, a building, district, structure or object must meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation<http://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins/nrb15/nrb15_2.htm>. This involves examining the property’s age, integrity, and significance.

Is the property old enough to be considered historic (generally at least 50 years old) and does it still look much the way it did in the past? Is the property associated with events, activities, or developments that were important in the past? With the lives of people who were important in the past? With significant architectural history, landscape history, or engineering achievements? Does it have the potential to yield information through archeological investigation about our past? Registered properties and properties determined eligible for the Register receive a measure of protection from the effects of federal and/or state agency sponsored, licensed or assisted projects through a notice, review, and consultation process. Owners of depreciable, certified historic properties may take a 20 percent federal income tax credit for the costs of substantial rehabilitation as provided for under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Municipal and not-for-profit owners of listed historic properties may apply for matching state historic preservation grants. There are no restrictions placed on private owners of registered properties. Private property owners may sell, alter or dispose of their property as they wish.