Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 18, 1990 TAG: 9003212467
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By POPULAR MECHANICS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This same sense of pride is probably the main reason most homeowners pursue a listing. Unfortunately, federal tax credits that are available for a listing only apply to income-producing properties.
But depending on where you live, pursuing a listing may yield some financial incentives on the state level. In any case, the honorific recognition that comes with having your home listed on the National Register may help increase its value on the market.
The register is the federal government's official list of properties that are significant in our history. It is maintained by the Department of the Interior and administered by the National Park Service.
There are several guidelines or criteria used to evaluate a potential registry entry. One is that the site or building be associated with a significant event in American history.
In the case of an old house, for example, perhaps an important document was signed there or the house functioned as a commercial building that was important to the development of local history.
Another guideline used is whether the potential entry is associated with the life of a person considered significant to our nation's past. This could apply to an old house if a famous historical figure lived there.
The third criterion deals with the question of architectural significance. If a house exhibits distinct characteristics of a certain period or method of construction or is a prime example of an architect's work, it may also be eligible for this listing. A property can qualify if it has the potential to impart information important to American history or prehistory. But, this is usually reserved for archaeological sites.
Coupled with the above criteria, to be eligible for the National Register, a property must conform with another separate standard. The property must retain the integrity of its historical significance. That is, it must reflect what it looked like at the time it was claimed to be an important part of history. This is referred to as its period significance.
Interiors, as well as building exteriors, may be a significant part of the picture. For example, if an important treaty was signed in your house - an event that obviously occurred inside - then to retain its integrity the interior should reflect that time.
It's important to note that a museum-quality restoration is generally the exception rather than the rule.
The government recognizes that buildings are organic and change over time, reflecting different tastes. Most have had alterations. Therefore, a building's integrity is really a matter of degree. It's the sum of the workmanship that's gone into the building, along with the retention of its original features and spaces. You cannot recreate integrity.
If you think your old house may qualify for this national recognition, you'll need the backing of your State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The folks there should be able to give you the guidance you need to get the registration process started.
No matter what basis you're using to qualify for inclusion on the National Register, your home's historical significance will have to be well documented.
by CNB