What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is the nation's official list of historically significant structures. The National Register was authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and is administered by the Department of the Interior's National Park Service. Some of the types of properties nominated for inclusion in the National Register are historic areas in the National Park Service, National Historic Landmarks, historically significant properties nominated by federal, state, and local governments, organizations, or individuals. A National Register designation mandates that a property must be considered in the planning of federal or federally assisted projects impacting the registered property, and qualifies it for financial assistance from governmental funds for historic preservation when these funds are available.  

The National Register's web site is also a good place to find information about the National Register. The web site offers general information about the program, specific information about registered properties, guidelines for nominating properties, and publications.

You can search on National Register's website to find out if your home is listed on the National Register.