ID 454: Historic Preservation: DC specific

Federal historic preservation work plays an important role in saving places are that important to our many American histories.
You will find information here about federal Laws & Regulations and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards & Guidelines for historic preservation. Continue reading this page to learn about the United States Code's Title 54, the new location for many National Park Service-related laws.

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for the District of Columbia is responsible for administering national historic preservation programs within the District. These programs were established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and are supported by an annual grant from the National Park Service.

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 was passed primarily to acknowledge the importance of protecting our nation’s heritage from rampant federal development. It was the triumph of more than a century of struggle by a grassroots movement of committed preservationists.

To encourage consistent practices, the National Park Service has developed standards and guidelines that guide preservation work at the national, tribal, state, and local levels. In some cases, these standards can be regulatory. The guidelines explain the standards. The flagship of these preservation guideposts is The Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. These standards and guidelines complement federal historic preservation laws.

A searchable collection of historic sites. Search by building name or area (i.e. DC) for a description of the place and photos.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization, works to save America’s historic places. We are the cause that inspires Americans to save the places where history happened. The cause that connects us to our diverse pasts, weaving a multi-cultural nation together. The cause that transforms communities from places where we live into places that we love. As the leading voice for preservation, we are the cause for people saving places.