National Register

About the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register

According to the National Park Service, the National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources. Listing on the National Register is generally honorific and does not prevent the demolition or alteration of a structure. However, a property listed on the National Register is eligible for preservation incentives such as historic preservation tax credits.

In addition, to the National Register, the Commonwealth of Virginia has a state register known as the Virginia Landmarks Register, also established in 1966, which uses the same criteria to evaluate resources as the National Register.

National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/nr/

Virginia Department of Historic Resources: http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/

The City of Alexandria has several historic districts and individually designated properties listed on the state and national registers. The nomination forms and corresponding materials can be found here: http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Cities/register_Alexandria.htm

Chapter 10 of the Zoning Ordinance charges the Boards of Architectural Review to “promote…the identification, preservation, and enhancement of buildings…with special historical, cultural, artistic and architectural significance.” While the BAR Staff does not currently have adequate resources to research, write and prepare nominations, the BAR Staff is happy to assist homeowners, neighborhood groups and others who are interested in preparing a nomination by facilitating and consulting on the designation process.

Pending National Register Nominations

There are two properties currently in the designation process: Alexandria Union Station and the Charles M. Goodman House. In December 2012, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources State Review Board recommended that Alexandria Union Station be listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and that it be forwarded on to the Keeper of the National Register for formal listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Also in December 2012, the State Review Board recommended that a formal nomination be prepared for the Charles M. Goodman House after reviewing the Preliminary Information Form. A National Register draft nomination has since been submitted for this property and it is anticipated that the State Review Board will make a recommendation on state and national register listing in March 2013.

The materials from the December 2012 State Review Board Meeting for the draft National Register nomination for Alexandria Union Station and the Preliminary Information Form for the Charles M. Goodman House can be found here: http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/boardPage.html