PROPOSAL TYPE
Workshop
SEEKING
- Seeking General Feedback and Interest
- Seeking Specific Expertise
- Seeking Additional Presenters
RELATED TOPICS
- Consulting
- Government Historians
- Preservation
ABSTRACT
This workshop is aimed at both the beginner and mid-career public historian who wish to improve their understanding of nominations and their basic mechanics. A previous version of this workshop was held at the Las Vegas meeting of NCPH in 2019, and focused on how the National Register works. It delved into the central questions each nomination should answer, application of the four main criteria, as well as how sections 7 (description) and 8 (significance) build the case for listing. New and non-traditional property types were covered to some extent, and how to approach areas that are very likely to never have the printed guidance that National Register bulletins once provided.
Description
Among the goals for this workshop is to build the confidence of those who may undertake nominations, as well as those who are enlisted to review them. Some practical exercises will be provided for participants as part of their introduction to the National Register but also to impart how might the writer best gear their work to the goal of listing buildings, sites, structures, districts, and/or objects. Certain types of nominations such as archaeological or traditional cultural properties can pose challenges due to concerns about confidentiality and/or the prospect of looting, but also in the use of terms not often used by historians such as those originating in highway engineering or landscape architecture for linear features. Developments in mapping, coordinate systems, and photography can also be summarized because they will affect the amount of time and expertise needed to successfully navigate the process of listing historic properties on the National Register.
If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: Stephen Mark, National Park Service, [email protected]
ALL FEEDBACK AND OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 7, 2023. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.
Thanks for shaping a workshop aimed at mid-career professionals too! I would specifically mention in your proposal that this could benefit those who might have completed nominations in the past but can use a refresher and learn something new.
What a useful workshop! In the description, I’d also mention that many existing nominations are deserving of an update. These updates can reflect broader, inclusive histories beyond the site’s originally designated significance. You may also want to include why new or updates nominations are valuable, what purpose they serve. Essentially, why do nominations and/or their updates matter?
I agree with the other reviewers that this session will be useful at the conference so thank you for developing this session proposal. Because community historians or communities/grassroots organizations are often desiring the need to preserve and nominate their historic sites, neighborhoods and buildings, I would provide guidance for public historians to work with communities to share the application process. This will also help to broaden the participants like community historians to be engaged.
Good idea, Stephen! If you’re not already thinking of covering it (and you very well may be), some discussion/instruction on good writing in a statement of significance could be a nice addition here. People who might be passionate about listing a property but struggle to organize and articulate its significance in long form writing might find that kind of info very useful.