Initial Inquiry Before Beginning a National Historic Landmark Nomination
A letter of inquiry introduces the property to the NHL Program staff. It provides a written overview of the property, its historic significance, and its historic integrity. This letter also serves as a formal written record of your initiating the NHL designation process. Prior to writing your inquiry letter, you should speak with NHL Program staff regarding your property and its potential for designation as an NHL. They will answer questions you may have about the initial inquiry letter.
Contents
Your letter of inquiry should provide preliminary answers to the following questions:
- What is the historic importance of the property? What nationally significant story does the property tell?
- How would you assess the current condition and integrity of the property? Has the property undergone major alterations since the historic period? If so, how extensive are these alterations?
- Do you have the support of the property owner?
- Is the property already listed in the National Register of Historic Places?
You are welcome to include materials above and beyond the letter, such as photographs or reports. Please send your letter as an email attachment.
Visit the contact pages for our national office and regional offices to determine where to address your letter or to request a sample letter.
Preparation
An NHL nomination requires professional-level research and writing in history, archeology, or architecture (or a combination of these disciplines, depending on the property to be nominated). If you believe that you need assistance, there are consultants and contractors who are experienced in writing this type of nomination.
When hiring a consultant, you should consider:
- Does the consultant possess an advanced degree in the discipline associated with the property?
- For a property being proposed for NHL Criteria 1, 2, 3, or 5, look for a consultant with an advanced degree in history.
- For a property being proposed for NHL Criterion 4, look for a consultant with an advanced degree in architectural history or the history of science/technology.
- For a property being proposed for NHL Criterion 6, look for a consultant with an advanced degree in archeology.
- Has the consultant written a successful nomination for either the National Register of Historic Places or the National Historic Landmarks Program?
- Ask to see the nomination to determine if the consultant wrote this nomination on his or her own. If the nomination was co-written, contact the co-author to ask about the nomination and the quality of the consultant's work.
- Contact your State Historic Preservation Office or the NHL Program to ask about the nomination and quality of the consultant's work.
The Wisconsin Historical Society has additional information about hiring consultants on its website.
Response
Your letter of inquiry will receive one of the following responses from NHL Program staff:
Yes: Congratulations! You have made it over the first hurdle. You will receive a letter from the NHL Program indicating that we are encouraging the preparation of a NHL nomination. We will assign a reviewer/contact person to you; this reviewer will send you the NHL forms and work with you throughout the process.
Maybe: You will receive a letter from the NHL Program indicating that additional information is required. Before we can make a preliminary determination on the potential eligibility of the property, we need additional information from you.
No: You will receive a detailed letter from the NHL Program explaining why we have determined that the property is not eligible for further consideration.
Please note: This is a first step. Not all applicants who are encouraged to continue with the nomination process go on to prepare a successful NHL nomination.
Last updated: August 24, 2022