National Historic Preservation Act

Definition

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) is a significant U.S. law enacted in 1966 aimed at preserving historical and archaeological sites. It established the National Register of Historic Places, which provides a framework for recognizing and protecting sites of cultural importance across the nation, thus supporting the broader goal of cultural heritage preservation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The NHPA was designed to encourage federal agencies to consider the preservation of historic properties in their planning processes.
2. It created state historic preservation offices (SHPOs) to assist in identifying and protecting significant cultural resources.
3. The Act includes provisions for tax incentives for the rehabilitation of historic properties, promoting private investment in preservation efforts.
4. The NHPA emphasizes public participation in the preservation process, ensuring that local communities have a voice in decisions affecting their historic sites.
5. The NHPA has been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage and has influenced similar legislation at the state and local levels.

Review Questions

• How does the National Historic Preservation Act impact local communities when it comes to preserving their cultural heritage?
  • The National Historic Preservation Act significantly impacts local communities by providing a structured framework for identifying and protecting historic sites. Through the establishment of State Historic Preservation Offices, communities gain access to resources and expertise for recognizing significant properties. Moreover, the NHPA encourages public participation, ensuring that local voices are heard in preservation decisions, which helps foster a sense of pride and ownership over local history.
• Discuss the role of Section 106 Review within the context of federal projects and its importance in protecting historic sites.
  • Section 106 Review plays a critical role in ensuring that federal agencies take into account the potential impacts of their projects on historic properties. This process requires agencies to assess how their actions might affect sites listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It serves as a key mechanism for balancing development with preservation, promoting collaboration between federal agencies and local communities to protect significant cultural resources from adverse effects.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the National Historic Preservation Act in promoting cultural heritage preservation over the past decades and its relevance today.
  • The effectiveness of the National Historic Preservation Act can be seen in its ability to foster a national dialogue around cultural heritage preservation. Over the past decades, it has facilitated the protection of countless historic properties while encouraging community involvement and investment in heritage tourism. Today, with increasing awareness of climate change impacts on historical sites and evolving understandings of cultural significance, the NHPA remains relevant as it adapts to contemporary challenges, promoting sustainable practices in preserving our shared history.

Related terms

National Register of Historic Places: A federal list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance.

Section 106 Review: A process mandated by the NHPA that requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their projects on historic properties.

Cultural Resource Management: A field that focuses on the preservation and management of cultural resources, including historic sites, artifacts, and landscapes.