National Historic Landmarks: National Park Service, What is?

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What is a National Historic Landmark?

National Historic Landmarks are nationally significant historic places designated by the Secretary of the Interior because they possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States. Today, fewer than 2,500 historic places bear this national distinction. Working with citizens throughout the nation, the National Historic Landmarks Program draws upon the expertise of National Park Service staff who work to nominate new landmarks and provide assistance to existing landmarks.

National Historic Landmarks are exceptional places. They form a common bond between all Americans. While there are many historic places across the nation, only a small number have meaning to all Americans--these we call our National Historic Landmarks.

Follow the online brochure or download the slide show to learn what National Historic Landmarks are, how they are chosen, why some are threatened, and the benefits to owners and the public through their preservation.

For more information about National Historic Landmarks please click on the following links:

The Historic Sites Survey and National Historic Landmarks Program: A History

Surveying American History: The Role of the National Park Service

Online Brochure

Slide Show: Power Point or Text Only

Please note, the slide show requires Microsoft Power Point 97 or higher and is 2.8mb in size. If you do not have Power Point you can download the viewer.

Did You Know?
The first West Coast lighthouse, activated in 1854 on Alcatraz Island, was rendered obsolete in the early 1900s when the U.S. Army built a new cellhouse blocking the lights view of the Golden Gate. Alcatraz is a National Historic Landmark.
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