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historic preservation

 

Procedures for listing a property on the National Register

 

History Preservation Specialists Contact Information

Preliminary National Register Form (pdf)
Preliminary National Register Form (Word)

National Criteria for Evaluation of a Property

NPS National Register of Historic Places Fundamentals

Anyone can nominate a property to the National Register of Historic Places. Following these steps is the best way to initiate the process.

1. The first step in the process is to contact a regional Historic Preservation Specialist ,depending on the county in which the property is in, with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). They will provide you with a preliminary assessment form, which can also be downloaded above. The completed form should be returned to the SHPO with current exterior photos showing all angles of the property as well as photos of the interior. If available, also send a copy of a historical photo for comparison. Any questions about the form may be directed to the regional Historic Preservation Specialist. Once the SHPO receives the completed preliminary assessment form, the regional Historic Preservation Specialist will follow-up with you.
2. If the property is determined to be potentially eligible for a nomination by the staff, the regional Historic Preservation Specialist will contact you to arrange a site visit. During the site visit, the Specialist will confirm eligibility, take high quality digital photos, and may request additional information.
3. Once all necessary information has been collected, the Specialist will prepare a nomination. Once the nomination is completed, it will go before the quarterly meeting of the South Dakota State Historical Society Board of Trustees for approval. Once approved by the Board, the nomination will be forwarded to the Keeper of the National Register at the National Park Service (NPS). The National Register staff will review the nomination for final approval.
4. Once approved, the Keeper will notify the SHPO. The SHPO will notify the property owner of the official listing on the National Register.
5. The whole process will typically take 6-12 months.