National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the federal government’s official list of historic properties significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture. 

The program helps identify and honor places that tell the stories of Maryland and the nation. It is managed nationally by the National Park Service and administered in Maryland by the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT). 

Maryland has thousands of National Register listings — including properties within historic districts — that represent everything from prehistoric sites and colonial settlements to industrial complexes and mid-century neighborhoods. 

Why properties are listed 

Properties are listed in the National Register because they illustrate the broad patterns of American history and culture. They may be recognized for: 

• Events or trends in local, state, or national history
• Association with important people or events
• Architectural or engineering, design and craftsmanship
• Archaeological importance
• Contribution to Maryland’s cultural heritage 

How the listing process works 

1. Propose a property

   Anyone — property owners, local governments, organizations, or MHT staff — may ask for a property to be evaluated. To get started, contact MHT’s National Register program staff.

   MHT staff review whether it may meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation to provide a Determination of Eligibility (DOE). This process involves examining the property’s age, integrity, and significance. (Is it generally at least 50 years old, and does it still look much like it did in the past? Is it connected to important events, people, architecture, engineering, landscapes, or able to provide important archaeological information?) 

2. Nomination

   If a property is eligible, a nomination form is prepared that documents the property’s significance, history, and physical characteristics. 

   In most cases, a property owner hires a professional historic preservation consultant (experts in history, historic architecture, or archeology) to prepare the form. Sometimes property owners prefer to prepare the form themselves. 

   Research, writing, and preparing the required maps, photographs, and site plans may take between 100 and 250 hours. It can take between 12 and 18 months to complete the process from drafting through review (step 3, below).  

1. Review process

   Nominations follow a formal review process that includes MHT staff review, local input, review by the Governor’s Consulting Committee on the National Register of Historic Places, the state’s review board, and approval by the State Historic Preservation Officer, who also serves as the director of MHT.  

   Some Maryland local governments are certified to help review National Register nominations. In these places, the local preservation commission and top elected official also review nominations and give their recommendations. 

2. Submission to the National Park Service

   If approved by the Governor’s Consulting Committee and the State Historic Preservation Officer, MHT submits the nomination to the National Park Service, which makes the final listing decision. 

Benefits of listing 

Being listed in the National Register: 

• Recognizes a property’s importance to its community and the nation
• Encourages preservation by raising awareness and appreciation
• Qualifies certain properties for federal and state tax incentives, grants, or technical assistance
• Provides consideration in planning for federally funded or permitted projects under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 

Note: Listing in the National Register is honorary. It does not restrict private property owners or regulate maintenance, alterations, or sale. 

Interested in preparing a nomination? 

To get started, contact MHT’s National Register program to request that staff review whether a property meets the eligibility requirements.

Explore National Register properties 

Explore the National Register database for examples of completed nominations, such as: 

• Historic districts
• Individual buildings
• Bridges, ships, and cultural landscapes 

You can also visit Medusa to research National Register nominations by location. Simply zoom in or type an address in the map search bar and National Register properties will be outlined in purple.