National & State Registers

DNR
Historic Preservation & Archaeology
National & State Registers

National & State Register Programs

Eligibility

Application Forms & Instructions

Indiana Historic Preservation Review Board

Frequently Asked Questions

The National Register of Historic Places is the federal list of historic properties that have been formally recognized by the National Park Service. The DHPA reviews and maintains the nominations for Indiana. Additionally, Indiana has a State Register that recognizes historic sites and structures at a statewide level.

Indiana is home to a variety of historic resources. Some are already listed in the State or National Register while others are not. To find out if a property is listed, please check the online database SHAARD. Not all “old” buildings, structures, or other resources are eligible. We encourage people to contact the DHPA to determine whether a property is eligible.

History of the Program

In 1965, the United States Conference of Mayors issued a report which called for government intervention to save the scores of historic buildings being demolished in urban areas. To aid in that goal, Congress enacted the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Part of this landmark legislation created the list known as the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is the nation’s official list of sites, buildings, structures, districts, and objects important in our history.

Each state has a preservation office to administer the National Register and associated programs; the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology serves all Hoosiers interested in these programs. The survey and register section of the DHPA also manages the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (State Register) .

The State Register was created by an act of the Indiana General Assembly in 1981. Note that all Indiana properties listed in the National Register are automatically listed in the State Register. However, properties can be solely listed in the State Register through a separate process.

National & State Register Listing

Does:

Give a property prestige and publicity
Provide protection for the property from federally assisted projects
Permit the owners of income-producing properties to use investment tax credits for certified rehabilitation
Allow owners of certain publicly owned or publicly accessible, non-income producing properties to apply for federal rehabilitation grants

Does not:

Prevent private owners from altering their property
Restrict the use or sale of the property
Establish certain times that the property must be open to the public

National Register of Historic Places Plaques

The DHPA encourages owners of National Register listed properties to display a plaque as a means of recognizing and promoting the National Register program. Plaques are not required nor are they supplied by the DHPA or the National Register. The DHPA does not endorse any specific manufacturer. The following companies are experienced in producing National Register plaques. It is not necessary to obtain the DHPA’s approval before ordering a plaque nor does the DHPA require specific wording. Remember to be particularly careful when affixing the National Register plaque to your historic building in order to avoid unnecessary damage.