The National Historic Preservation Act turned 60 on October 15, 2026, six decades after President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law in 1966. The act created the National Register of Historic Places, State Historic Preservation Offices and the federal review process that still governs how historic sites are protected across the United States.
Key Takeaways
- The National Register of Historic Places now includes more than 90,000 listings of buildings, structures, sites, objects and districts nationwide.
- The federal Historic Tax Credit, a 20% credit for rehabilitating income-producing historic buildings, has leveraged $116 billion in private investment since 1976.
- The Historic Preservation Fund, which supports states, tribes and local communities, marks its 50th anniversary in 2026.
- Section 106 of the act requires federal agencies to consider how their projects affect historic properties before moving forward.
- The anniversary coincides with the nation’s 250th birthday, giving preservation programs an expanded national profile this year.
The National Historic Preservation Act Grew Out Of A Decade Of Loss
The National Historic Preservation Act arrived at a moment when Americans were watching historic places disappear. Postwar urban renewal and the interstate highway program cleared entire neighborhoods, and the 1963 demolition of New York’s original Pennsylvania Station became a national symbol of what could be lost.
That same year the act passed, a special committee report titled With Heritage So Rich documented the scale of the losses and called for a federal framework. Congress responded with legislation that treated historic preservation as a national responsibility shared with states and local communities, rather than a cause left to private groups alone.
The act declared that the historical and cultural foundations of the nation should be preserved to give Americans a sense of orientation, a principle that has guided preservation policy for six decades.
The National Register Became The Nation’s Official List Of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the most visible creation of the National Historic Preservation Act. Administered by the National Park Service, it serves as the official federal list of places considered worthy of preservation.
Today the National Register includes more than 90,000 listings across the United States and its territories. Because many listings are historic districts containing hundreds of individual buildings, the number of protected resources is far larger, with more than 1.4 million contributing buildings counted as early as 2005.
Listing on the National Register is largely honorary for private owners. It does not restrict what a private owner can do with a property using private funds. Instead, listing provides recognition, eligibility for certain grants and access to federal tax incentives that make rehabilitation financially workable.
State Historic Preservation Offices Carry The Work Into Communities
The National Historic Preservation Act also established State Historic Preservation Offices, which operate in every state and territory. These offices nominate properties to the National Register, survey historic resources, review federal projects and guide owners through tax credit applications.
The act created the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, an independent federal agency that oversees federal review responsibilities. Tribal Historic Preservation Offices later joined the system, giving tribal nations a formal role in protecting places of cultural significance on their lands.
This structure explains why preservation in the United States often feels local. A historic downtown designation in one town or a restored train depot in another typically moves through a state office using a framework set in 1966.
Section 106 Gives Historic Places A Seat At The Table
Section 106 is the provision of the National Historic Preservation Act that most directly shapes federal projects. It requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties and to give the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation an opportunity to comment.
The process applies to highways, military installations, federally funded housing, dams, broadband projects and many other activities involving federal money, permits or land. Section 106 does not prohibit projects from moving forward. It requires consultation, which often results in design changes, documentation or mitigation agreements that reduce harm to historic resources.
Preservation Has Become An Economic Development Tool
Over 60 years, the National Historic Preservation Act framework has evolved into a significant economic driver. The federal Historic Tax Credit, established in 1976, provides a 20% income tax credit for the certified rehabilitation of income-producing buildings listed on the National Register.
The credit has leveraged $116 billion in private investment since its creation. Through 2020 alone, the program supported more than 46,000 completed projects, converting vacant warehouses, mills, schools and hotels into housing, offices and retail space. By that year, 39 states also offered state historic tax credits that can be paired with the federal credit.
The Historic Preservation Fund, created in 1976 and marking its 50th anniversary this year, provides federal grants to states, tribes and local communities. The fund draws on revenue from offshore oil and gas leases rather than general tax revenue.
Anniversary Events Mark The Milestone Nationwide
The 60th anniversary is being recognized through events across the country. Preservation organizations, historical societies and state offices are hosting lectures, tours and symposiums on the act’s history and its future.
The timing adds weight. The anniversary overlaps with the nation’s 250th birthday, a year when interest in landmark history, from the White House’s history from 1792 to today to Route 66’s centennial, has drawn Americans toward the places that tell the national story.
For many communities, the act’s legacy is not abstract. It shows up in a restored main street, a converted factory loft or a neighborhood that remained intact because its history was documented and recognized.
FAQs
What Is The National Historic Preservation Act?
The National Historic Preservation Act is a 1966 federal law that created the national historic preservation program, including the National Register of Historic Places, State Historic Preservation Offices and the Section 106 review process.
When Was The National Historic Preservation Act Signed?
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Historic Preservation Act on October 15, 1966. The act turned 60 on October 15, 2026.
How Many Properties Are On The National Register Of Historic Places?
The National Register includes more than 90,000 listings. Because many listings are districts containing multiple buildings, the total number of protected resources exceeds one million.
What Is Section 106 Of The National Historic Preservation Act?
Section 106 requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their projects on historic properties and to consult with preservation officials before proceeding.
What Is The Historic Preservation Fund?
The Historic Preservation Fund, created in 1976, provides federal grants to states, tribes and local communities for preservation work. It is funded through offshore oil and gas lease revenues.
