A historic district in the United States is a group of buildings, properties or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided into two categories, contributing and non-contributing. In the law regulating Historic districts in the United States, a contributing property is any property structure or object which adds to the historical integrity Districts greatly vary in size, some having hundreds of structures while others have just a few.
The U. S. federal government designates historic districts through the U.S. Department of Interior, under the auspices of the National Park Service. The United States Department of the Interior ( DOI) is a Cabinet department of the United States government that manages and conserves most federally The National Park Service ( NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation Federally designated historic districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. State Historic Districts can either follow similar criteria and have no restrictions on property owners or they can require strict adherence to historic rehabilitation standards. The local historic district offers, by far, the most legal protection for historic properties because most land use decisions are made at the local level. Local districts are generally administered by the county or municipal government. The tendency of local districts to place restrictions on property owners causes them to be the targets of the most resistance from the public.
The first historic district was located in Charleston, South Carolina and predated the first U. Charleston is a city in Charleston county in the US state of South Carolina. S. federal government designated district by more than thirty years. Other local historic districts popped up and in 1966 the U.S. government created the National Register of Historic Places on the heels of a report from the U. The federal government of the United States is the central United States Governmental body established by the United States Constitution. S. Conference of Mayors which stated Americans suffered from "rootlessness. "[1] By the 1980s there were thousands of federally designated historic districts.
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Property types
- See also: Contributing property and Property types
Historic districts are generally comprised of two types of properties, contributing and non-contributing. In the law regulating Historic districts in the United States, a contributing property is any property structure or object which adds to the historical integrity The US National Register of Historic Places (NRHP classifies its listings by various types of properties. [2] Broadly defined, a contributing property is any property, structure or object which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make a historic district, listed locally or federally, significant. [3] Different entities, usually governmental, at both the state and national level in the United States, have differing definitions of contributing property but they all retain the same basic characteristics. [3][4] In general, contributing properties are integral parts of the historic context and character of a historic district. [5]
In addition to the two types of classification within historic districts, properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places are classified into five broad categories. They are, building, structure, site, district and object; each one has a specific definition in relation to the National Register. All but the eponymous district category are also applied to historic districts listed on the National Register. [6]
Federal historic districts
A listing on the National Register of Historic Places is governmental acknowledgment of a historic district. However, the Register is "an honorary status with some federal financial incentives. "[7] The National Register of Historic Places defines a historic district per U.S. federal law, last revised in 2004. The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP is the United States government's official list of districts sites buildings structures and objects deemed worthy of The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA Public Law 89-665 16 U [6] According to the Register definition a historic district is:
"a geographically definable area, urban or rural, possessing a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united by past events or aesthetically by plan or physical development. A district may also comprise individual elements separated geographically but linked by association or history. "[6]
Districts established under U. S. federal guidelines generally begin the process of designation through a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is the official recognition by the U. S. government of cultural resources worthy of preservation. This article is concerned with cultural resources in the widest sense for traditional archaeological and historic culture specifically see Cultural Heritage Management [8] While designation through the National Register does offer a district or property some protections, it is only in cases where the threatening action involves the federal government. The federal government of the United States is the central United States Governmental body established by the United States Constitution. If the federal government is not involved, then the listing on the National Register provides the site, property or district no protections. The US National Register of Historic Places (NRHP classifies its listings by various types of properties. [9] For example, if company A wants to tear down the hypothetical Smith House and company A is under contract with the state government of Illinois, then the federal designation would offer no protections. If, however, company A was under federal contract the Smith House would be protected. A federal designation is little more than recognition by the government that the resource is worthy of preservation. [9]
In general, the criteria for acceptance to the National Register are applied consistently, but there are considerations for exceptions to the criteria and historic districts have influence on some of those exceptions. Usually, the National Register does not list religious structures, moved structures, reconstructed structures, or properties that have achieved significance within the last 50 years. However, if a property falls into one of those categories and are "integral parts of districts that do meet the criteria" then an exception allowing their listing will be made. In the law regulating Historic districts in the United States, a contributing property is any property structure or object which adds to the historical integrity [6] Historic district listings, like all National Register nominations, can be rejected on the basis of owner disapproval. In the case of historic districts, a majority of owners must object in order to nullify a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. If such an objection occurred, then the nomination would become a determination of National Register eligibility only. [6]
State historic districts
Most U.S. state governments have a listing similar to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP is the United States government's official list of districts sites buildings structures and objects deemed worthy of A US state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of the United States of America that share Sovereignty with the federal government State listings can have similar benefits to federal designation, such as granting qualification and tax incentives. In addition, the property can become protected under specific state laws. [9] The laws can be similar or different from the federal guidelines that govern the National Register. A state listing of a historic district on a "State Register of Historic Places," usually by the State Historic Preservation Office, can be an "honorary status," much like the National Register. For example, in Nevada, listing in the State Register places no limits on property owners. Nevada ( is a state located in the western region of the United States of America. [10] In contrast, state law in Tennessee requires that property owners within historic districts follow a strict set of guidelines, from the U.S. Department of Interior, when altering their properties. Tennessee ( is a state located in the Southern United States. The United States Department of the Interior ( DOI) is a Cabinet department of the United States government that manages and conserves most federally [11] Though, according to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, all states must have a State Historic Preservation Office, not all states must have a "state historic district" designation. As of 2004, for example, the state of North Carolina had no such designation. North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States [12]
Local historic districts
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Local historic districts usually enjoy the greatest level of protection, under law, from any threats that may compromise their historic integrity. This is due to the fact that many land-use decisions are made at the local level. [9] There are more than 2,300 local historic districts in the United States. [13] Local historic districts can be administered at the county or the municipal level; both entities are involved in land use decisions. A county of the United States is a local level of government created as a subdivision of a state by the state government or by the federal or territorial government as a subdivision A township (or Municipality) is a settlement which has the status and powers of a unit of local government [14]
According to the National Park Service, historic districts are one of the oldest forms of protection for historic properties. The city of Charleston, South Carolina is credited with beginning the modern day historic districts movement. Charleston is a city in Charleston county in the US state of South Carolina. [15] In 1931 Charleston enacted an ordinance which designated an "Old and Historic District" which was administered by a Board of Architectural Review. A local ordinance is a Law usually found in a municipal code. [15] Charleston's early ordinance reflected the strong protection that local historic districts often enjoy under local law. It asserted that no alteration could be made to any architectural features which could be viewed by the public from the street. [15] Other local historic districts, such as that in Savannah, Georgia, predate the Register by 10 years or more as well. Savannah is a city located in the state of Georgia, United States. [16]
Local historic districts are most likely to generate resistance because of the restrictions they tend to place on property owners. [17][18][19] Local laws can cause residents to "manage . . . obligations to comply with (local historic district) ordinances. "[20] Examples of local preservation laws can be found in Nashville, Tennessee, where the city has adopted the stricter of two sets of criteria. [11] In Nashville, per state and local law, building design criteria for structures that are designated as parts of local "preservation districts" are derived from the U. S. Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings. The United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior. For property owners within these preservation districts to make alterations they must adhere to a set of guidelines which concern roof form and materials, front and side porches (no screens allowed), shape, style and placement of windows and doors, construction materials (no hardboard, masonite, aluminum, or vinyl cladding allowed), lighting fixtures, fences, paving, and paint color (for masonry structures). A window screen, insect screen or fly screen is a Metal wire, Fiberglass, or other synthetic fiber mesh stretched in a frame of Hardboard, also called high-density fiberboard, is a type of Fiberboard, which is an Engineered wood product Masonite is a type of Hardboard invented by William H Mason. It is formed using the Mason method using Wooden chips and blasting them into long fibers This article is about the house covering See Rail siding for an alternative usage of this term Vinyl siding is an alternative to aluminum siding Fiber cement siding, and timber Siding. Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar, and the term "masonry" can also refer to the units themselves [11]
Resistance to historic district designations and expansions is fairly widespread. In New York City, in 2006, residents resisted the designation of historic district for Fieldston, a Bronx neighborhood, because of the increase in regulations and decrease in property values associated with historic districts. The City of New York Fieldston is a section of the Riverdale section of the Bronx, New York City. Real estate appraisal, property valuation or land valuation is the practice of developing an opinion of the value of real property usually its Market Value [17] Such fears of decreased property values in historic districts are not bore out by actual experience in most communities. In fact, the most valuable properties in many communities are those within designated historic districts. In April 2007 residents and politicians in Rochester, New Hampshire resisted a historic district boundary increase. Rochester is a city in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States. The local newspaper called the increase "overreaching" and noted regulations on paint color and interior renovations as reasons for its opposition to the proposal. [19]
Significance
The original concept of an American historic district was as a protective area surrounding more important, individual historic sites. As the field of historic preservation progressed, those involved came to realize that the structures acting as "buffer zones" were actually key elements of the historic integrity of larger, landmark sites. Originally a landmark literally meant a Geographic Feature used by explorers and Preservationists came to the view that districts should be more encompassing, blending together a mesh of structures, streets, open space and landscaping to define the historical character of a historic district. [23]
As early as 1981 the National Trust for Historic Preservation identified 882 American cities and towns that had some form of "historic district zoning" in place; local laws meant specifically to protect historic districts. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by Congressional charter to support preservation Before 1966, historic preservation in the United States was in its infancy. That year the U.S. Conference of Mayors penned an influential report which concluded, in part, that Americans suffered from a sense of "rootlessness. The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM is a Nonpartisan national organization founded in 1932. "[1] They recommended historic preservation to help provide Americans with a sense of orientation. Historic preservation or heritage conservation is a professional endeavor that seeks to preserve the ability of older (e The creation of the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, on the heels of the report, helped to instill that sense of orientation the mayors were looking for. [1] The mayors also recommended that any historic preservation program not focus solely on individual properties but also on "areas and districts which contain special meaning for the community. " Local, state and federal historic districts now account for thousands of historic property listings at all levels of government. [1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Datel, Robin Elisabeth. Historic preservation or heritage conservation is a professional endeavor that seeks to preserve the ability of older (e A conservation area is a tract of land that has been awarded protected status in order to ensure that natural features cultural heritage or biota are safeguarded Adaptive reuse is the process of adapting old structures for new purposes Zoning is a term used in Urban planning for a system of land-use Regulation in various parts of the world including North America the United Kingdom "Preservation and a Sense of Orientation for American Cities," Geographical Review, Vol. 75, No. 2. (Apr. , 1985), pp. 125-141. Retrieved 4 April 2007. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ National Register Historic Districts Q&A, South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Retrieved 19 February 2007. Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ a b Historic and Scenic Preservation Local Option Property Tax Reimbursement, Maine Historic Preservation Commission. Retrieved 19 February 2007. Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ ORDINANCE NO. 2001-02, (PDF), Daville, California ordinance, California Office of Historic Preservation. Retrieved 19 February 2007. Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook, (PDF), Iowa City Urban Planning Division. Retrieved 26 March 2007. Events 1026 - Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ a b c d e Title 36: Section 60.3, Parks Forests and Public Property, Chapter One, Part 60. National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 19 February 2007. Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Strengths of Local Listing, Working on the Past in Local Historic Districts, National Park Service. Retrieved 20 February 2007. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ "About the Register," National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service. Retrieved 4 April 2007. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ a b c d Federal, State and Local Historic Districts, TOOLBOX, FAQ, National Park Service. Retrieved 19 February 2007. Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Whaley, Sean. "State adds Goldfield to historic places registry," Las Vegas Review-Journal, 24 December 2005. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved 4 April 2007. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ a b c Kreyling, Christine. "Something Old, Something New," (EBSCOhost), Planning; August/September 2006, Vol. EBSCO Industries is a privately held widely diversified Corporation and the largest subscription agency in the world with headquarters in Birmingham Alabama 72 Issue 8, p34-39, 6p. Retrieved 4 April 2007. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Nicholson, Scott. "Commissioners Address Alcohol Sales In Valle Crucis," The Mountain Times, 5 August 2004. Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Retrieved 4 April 2007. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Bringing Preservation Home, Working on the Past in Local Historic Districts, National Park Service. Retrieved 19 February 2007. Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ "Chapter 4-Historic Districts," (Word), Current Regulations, Loudoun County, Virginia. Microsoft Word is Microsoft 's flagship word processing software. Retrieved 4 April 2007. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ a b c Early Models, Working on the Past in Local Historic Districts, National Park Service. Retrieved 20 February 2007. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Brown, Kay. "Old Savannah," (ProQuest, Black Studies Center) Chicago Defender, November 17, 1973, p. ProQuest LLC is an Ann Arbor Michigan -based electronic publisher and Microfilm publisher Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. 22, col. 3. Retrieved 4 April 2007. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ a b Hu, Winnie. "Council Poised to Intervene on Enclave's Landmark Status," (EBSCOhost), New York Times; 25 March 2006, Vol. EBSCO Industries is a privately held widely diversified Corporation and the largest subscription agency in the world with headquarters in Birmingham Alabama Events 1199 - Richard I is wounded by a crossbow bolt while fighting France which leads to his death on April 6. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. 155 Issue 53529, pB1-B5, 2p, 1bw. Retrieved 4 April 2007. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Vandam, Jeff. "Brick Houses, Winding Paths and Unexpected Sharp Elbow," (EBSCOhost), New York Times; 31 December 2006, Vol. EBSCO Industries is a privately held widely diversified Corporation and the largest subscription agency in the world with headquarters in Birmingham Alabama Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. 156 Issue 53810, Section 14 p5-5, 1/3p. Retrieved 4 April 2007. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ a b "Rochester Historic District expansion plan overreaches," (Editorial), Foster's Daily Democrat, 3 April 2007. An editorial, leader (UK or leading article (UK is an article in a Newspaper or Magazine that expresses the opinion of the Editor Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Retrieved 4 April 2007. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Heuer, Ted. "Living History: How Homeowners in a New Local Historic District Negotiate Their Legal Obligations," (EBSCOhost), Yale Law Journal; January 2007, Vol. EBSCO Industries is a privately held widely diversified Corporation and the largest subscription agency in the world with headquarters in Birmingham Alabama 116 Issue 4, p768-822, 55p. Retrieved 4 April 2007. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ "Davis-Jefferson Historic District," Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission, City of Bloomington. Retrieved 4 April 2007. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
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- ^ Bigolin, Steve. The Sycamore Historic District: Introduction, Daily Chronicle, 14 August 2006. Events 1183 - Taira no Munemori and the Taira clan take the young Emperor Antoku and the three sacred treasures Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved 20 February 2007. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
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