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Cane River Cachet - January 19, 2002
By Ada D. Jarred
Living in a historically rich area, we frequently hear and see references to The National Register of Historic Places. Ever wondered what it actually is?
Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and administered by the Department of the Interior?s National Park Service, The National Register of Historic Places is the nation?s official list of historically significant structures. It includes districts, sites, buildings, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture.
The National Register encompasses all historic areas in the National Park System; National Historic Landmarks so designated by the Secretary of the Interior for significance to all Americans; and properties significant to the Nation, State, or community which have been nominated by the States, Federal agencies and others and have been approved by the National Park Service.
National Register properties are documented and evaluated by uniform standards. All States, Territories, and Federal agencies use the Secretary of the Interior?s National Register criteria to identify significant historic and archeological sites worthy of preservation and of consideration for planning and development decisions.
National Historic Landmarks, which have stiffer specifications, compose approximately 2,000 of the listings on the National Register. Cane River National Heritage Area is notable for containing a number of these distinguished historic sites. They include the Kate Chopin House, Fort Jesup, Los Adaes, Magnolia Plantation, Melrose Plantation, Oakland Plantation, as well as the nearby Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District.
The National Register recognizes properties as diverse as the Breakers Mansion in Newport or the dugout shelter of an Oklahoma pioneer settler. The program helps us feel pride in our heritage and honor when local properties are recognized.
Other results include recognition of a property?s significance to the Nation, the State, or the community; consideration in planning for Federal or federally assisted projects; eligibility for Federal tax benefits; and qualifications for Federal assistance for historic preservation.
Nominations to the National Register usually are made by the States through State Historic Preservation Officers. The State Historic Preservation Officer also prepares and implements a comprehensive statewide historic preservation plan, administers the State program of Federal assistance for historic preservation, and conducts a statewide survey of historic properties. The Officer also cooperates with Federal, State and local officials and other to ensure that historic properties are taken into consideration at all levels of planning and development. Another responsibility of the Officer is to provide public information, education and training, and technical assistance relating to the Federal and State historic preservation programs.
The National Register?s standards for evaluation recognize the accomplishments of all peoples who have contributed to the country?s history and heritage. The criteria are intended to guide State and local governments, Federal agencies, and others in evaluating nominations to the Register. They include all of the following:
quality of significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture;
integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association;
association with events that made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history;
association with lives of significant historic figures;
embodiment of distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; and
that have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
In considering the criteria, usually cemeteries, birthplaces, or graves of historical figures, properties of religious institutions, structures moved from original locations, reconstructed historic buildings, properties primarily commemorative in nature, and properties that have achieved significance within the past 50 years are not considered eligible for the National Register. However, such properties may qualify as integral parts of districts that do meet the criteria.
Additionally, such properties may meet the criteria on the following considerations:
a religious property that derives primary significance from architectural or artistic distinction or historical importance;
a building or structure removed from its original location but which is significant primarily for architectural value, or which is the surviving structure most importantly associated with a historic person or event;
a birthplace or grave of a historical figure of outstanding importance if there is no other appropriate site or building directly associated with his productive life;
a cemetery that derives its primary significance from graves of persons of transcendent importance, from age, from distinctive design features, or from association with historic events;
a reconstructed building when accurately executed in a suitable environment and presented in a dignified manner as part of a restoration master plan, and when no other building or structure with the same association has survived;
a property primarily commemorative in intent if design, age, tradition, or symbolic value has invested it with its own historical significance; or
a property achieving significance within the past 50 years if it is of exceptional importance.
Further information on documentation of properties and criteria for evaluation may be obtained by writing: National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, U. S. Department of the Interior, P. O. Box 37127, Washington, D. C. 20013-7127.
The Louisiana State Historic Preservation Officer is the Assistant Secretary, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, P. O. Box 44147, Baton Rouge, LA 70804.
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