• A formal inventory of properties determined to be significant to the history of the nation, a state or locality and worthy of being preserved

• Established through the National Historic Preservation Act which was originally passed in 1966 and amended in 1980

• Maintained by the Secretary of the Interior who was authorized by the Act "to expand and maintain a national register of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects significant in American history, archeology and culture"

The Act also included provisions requiring that each state maintain an inventory of it's own historic resources and establish a procedure for nominating properties to the National Register, requiring that federally funded projects are not to adversely affect properties listed on, or eligible for the National Register, and providing limited funding for preservation related programs.

What makes a property eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places?

A property does not qualify for the National Register of Historic Places simply because of it's age. The National Park Service has established the following requirements for National Register eligibility.

• The property has an association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history,

• The property is associated with the lives of persons significant in the past,

• The property is an example of the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possess high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction,

• The property has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important to prehistory or history.

Generally speaking, properties that have been moved from their original locations, reconstructed historic buildings, or properties that are less than 50 years old are not eligible for National Register status.

What are the benefits of being listed on, or eligible for listing on the National Register?

While there is a great deal of misinformed concern regarding the potential negative implications of National Register listing, there is little understanding of the potential benefits of listing.

Owners of properties that are eligible for, or listed on, the National Register may benefit from the following;

What regulations affect properties that are listed on, or are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places?

It is commonly believed that if a property is listed on, or is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, the owner will not be able to undertake modifications or repairs on the building without approval of a governmental agency. THIS IS NOT TRUE.

There are only three situations in which an owner of an historic property would be subject to regulation of changes to that property:

Under a local preservation ordinance, which we do not have in the City of Oshkosh

Under the Historic Tax Credit program in which the owner voluntarily agrees to participate

Under Federal regulations when Federal funding is being used for repair, maintenance or alterations.

What is a Historic District?

Historic Districts are areas containing a group of historic structures or sites that have some association with one another, either on the basis of style, use or age or association with a particular function.

In Oshkosh, there are three residential Districts, the Washington Avenue Historic District, the Irving Church Historic District and the Algoma Boulevard Historic District. There is one commercial District, the North Main District. In addition, the Oshkosh Normal School Historic District is part of the original University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh site, and the Paine District is associated with the Paine Lumber Company.

What Oshkosh properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places?

There are approximately 20 properties in Oshkosh that are individually listed on the National Register.

There are 6 National Register Historic Districts in Oshkosh; 

• Washington Avenue Historic District

• North Main Historic District

• Irving Church Historic District

• Oshkosh Normal School Historic District

• Algoma Boulevard Historic District

• Paine Lumber Historic District

How do I find out if a specific property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places?

How do properties become listed on the National Register of Historic Places?

Once a property has been determined by State Historical Society to be potentially eligible for the National Register, a formal nomination can be completed. This process requires professional assistance. The State Historical Society Website contains a list of qualified Nomination preparers.

Once the nomination is completed, the State Historical Society Nomination Review Board reviews the nomination and determines if the property is eligible for listing on the State Register of Historic Places. If the Board accepts the property for listing on the State Register, it is then forwarded to the National Park Service for review and, if it is determined appropriate, listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Are there Oshkosh properties that are eligible for the National Register but that have not been listed?