Preparing National Register
Nominations in Oregon
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
e National Register 1
How to Use this Guide 1
Sta Contacts 1
Before Beginning 2
e Historic Resource Record (HRR) 2
Listing Properties in the National Register 3
Essential instruction and Guides 3
Property-Specic Register Bulletins 4
Historic Districts 4
Muliple Property Documents 4
Writing a National Register Nomination 6
Deadlines and Submission Requirements 6
Tips for Writing Better Nomination 9
Section 7 9
Section 8 10
National Register Review Process 12
State Historic Preservation Oce 12
Local Government 12
State Advisory Committee on Historic Places 13
National Park Service 13
Appendices 14
A. Oregon SHPO National Register Format 14
B. Grammar and Punctuation 16
C. National Register Digital Photos Standards 18
D. Testifying Before the State Advisory Committee 20
E. National Register Flow Chart 21
The National Register of Historic Places
ank you for your interest in nominating one of
Oregon’s special properties to the National Register
of Historic Places. e National Register is the
nation’s ocial list of buildings, structures, sites,
objects, and districts signicant in American history,
architecture, and/or archaeology. Over 2,000 Oregon
properties are listed in the National Register, with all
of the state’s 36 counties represented. e National
Register is maintained by the National Park Service
in Washington, D.C., and is administered across the
nation by state historic preservation oces.
How to Use This Guide
Preparing National Register Nominations in Oregon is
a supplement to existing guidance from the National
Park Service (NPS), but does not replace those
important resources. Key NPS documents include
National Register Bulletin 15; “How to Apply the
National Register Criteria for Evaluation” and 16a
;“How to Complete the National Register Form.”
ese guidelines are organized into four sections.
“Before Beginning” presents information to help
owners decide if listing their property in the National
Register is right for them and how NPS determines
if a property qualies for listing. “Writing a National
Register Nomination” includes the necessary
information to successfully complete the form, and
“e National Register Review Process” describes
how properties are listed in the National Register. is
document specically addresses nominating individual
properties. Please contact the oce if considering
nominating a historic district.
Information included in this publication is based on
instructions provided by the National Park Service for
the submission of digital nomination documents to
the agency. e requirements for digital submission
are listed beginning on page 5. “Paper” nominations
are still accepted, but preparers must provide an
original, unmarked, paper 7.5 minute United States
Geological Survey map and two sets of printed
photographs for this process. Preparers must meet
all requirements for paper submissions if submitting
any portion of the nomination in paper format. Please
contact the Oregon State Historic Preservation Oce
(SHPO) for further information. All National Register
nominations must be on the form provided by the
Oregon SHPO.
A full description of the National Register program
and process and copies of all the necessary publications
and forms noted in this document, are available at
the Oregon SHPO website at www.oregonheritage.
org. Click on “National Register” on the le-hand side
of the screen. Hard copies are available by mail on
request.
Staff Contact Information
e sta of the Oregon SHPO look forward to working
with you. Please contact the SHPO to discuss your
project, research strategy, and important deadlines
before beginning.
For general questions and requests for completed
National Register nominations for listed properties,
contact:
Tracy Collis
National Register & Grants Assistant
(503) 986-0690 or tracy.collis@oregon.gov
For questions regarding National Register eligibility
and the preparation of nomination documents,
contact:
Robert Olguin
National Register Program Coordinator
(503) 986-0668 or robert.olguin@oregon.gov
Introduction
Introduction 1
Before beginning, Oregon State Historic Preservation
Oce (SHPO) sta strongly recommends that
property owners understand the potential benets and
limitations of listing their property in the National
Register of Historic Places. Listing a property in the
National Register does not place any restrictions
on a property at the state or federal level, unless the
property owner chooses to participate in tax benet or
grant programs. However, state law in Oregon requires
local governments to oer some level of protection
for listed properties. Owners interested in listing their
property should contact their local planning oce
to determine what laws and regulations apply. More
information about the benets and responsibilities
of owning a property listed in the National Register,
the nomination process, and how to support or
object to a listing are available at the SHPO website.
Upon deciding that listing is the right choice, sta
encourages property owners to contact the SHPO
before preparing a nomination.
The Historic Resource Record (HRR)
Form
An important step in listing a property in the National
Register is to complete a Historic Resource Record
(HRR) form so that a SHPO sta member may assist
the preparer in determining whether the property is
eligible for listing. To complete the form, owners are
asked to describe their property and its history, and to
include photos of the buildings, structures, sites, and/
or objects they would like to list. Aer reviewing the
HRR form, sta will provide a letter stating whether
the SHPO believes that the property is or is not
eligible for listing in the National Register, or whether
further information is needed. Application materials,
including a sample National Register nomination for
a similar property, among other useful materials, are
included in the response.
e HRR form is not a nomination, and completing
the form does not obligate a property owner to
continue with a nomination nor subject the property
owner to any local, state, or federal government
regulations. Submitted HRRs and sta responses are
public records, and are kept on le at the SHPO.
e HRR form is available on the Oregon SHPO
website, or may be requested by email, phone, or in
writing. See the previous page for contact information.
Before Beginning
2 Before Beginning
Buildings can be listed in the National Register individually
or as contributors to a historic district. Finn Block, Albany,
Linn Co.
Listing Properties in the National Register
Not all old buildings are eligible for listing in the
National Register. Eligible properties are generally
50 years old or older; retain their historic appearance
(called “integrity”); and are historically important
(referred to as “signicant”) at the local, state, or
national level under one of four Criteria identied by
the National Park Service. e Criteria are:
Criterion A: Association with events that have made
a signicant contribution to the broad patterns of our
history.
Criterion B: Association with the lives of persons
signicant in our past.
Criterion C: Embodiment of the distinctive
characteristic of a type, period, or method of
construction, or that represent the work of a master,
or that possess high artistic values, or that represent
a signicant and distinguishable entity whose
components may lack individual distinction.
Criterion D: Properties that have yielded or may be
likely to yield, information important in prehistory or
history.
Generally, religious buildings and sites; moved
resources; birthplaces or graves; cemeteries;
reconstructed; and commemorative properties; and
properties less than 50 years old may not be listed
in the National Register. However, under certain
circumstances, called Criteria Considerations, these
properties may be recognized.
Essential Instructions and Guides
In order to properly prepare a National Register
nomination preparers will need the following
publications, which are available from the National
Park Service or other agencies noted below and on the
SHPO website.
National Register Bulletin 15
“How to Apply the National Register Criteria”
Denes terms commonly used in the National
Register program and describes what properties are
eligible for listing.
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/publications/
bulletins/nrb15/
National Register Bulletin 16a, “How to Prepare the
National Register Form”
Instructions for completing the National Register
form. See the passage titled “Writing a National
Register Nomination” in this document for further
instructions and the sample nomination in Appendix
F. http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/publications/
bulletins/nrb16a/
National Register Bulletin 39, “Researching a Historic
Property”
A good how-to guide that describes how to research
the history of a building and document its past.
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/publications/
bulletins/nrb39/
Before Beginning 3
The Zane Grey Cabin is eligible under Criterion B
for its association with the famous Western author.
Grants Pass vcty, Josephine Co.
Sites that are likely to yield information important
to prehistory or histoyr are often listed under
Criterion D. They are typically archaeological sites.
Researching Your Historic Property: A User’s Guide”
Created by the City of Portland, this publication
addresses City of Portland-specic sources.
http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.
cfm?id=146266
Property-Specic Register Bulletins
e National Park Service oers a number of guides
or bulletins that describe how to document special
properties, such as lighthouses, or buildings and sites
associated with historic persons. Please review the list
of Bulletins on the National Park Service website at:
http://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/ to see if there is a
bulletin specic to the nominated property.
Sample National Register Nomination from
the SHPO
Writing a nomination is easier using a successful
nomination for a similar property as a guide. Contact
the SHPO directly for relevant sample documents.
Individual properties may also be listed in the National
Register using a Multiple Property Document or
within a listed historic district. A brief description
of each process is below. Please contact the oce
to ensure that the property or district is eligible for
listing in the National Register and meets minimum
documentation requirements before beginning the
nomination process.
Historic Districts
A historic district is a concentration of buildings,
structures, objects, and/or sites, and associated
landscape and streetscape features that are 50 years
old or older, retain their historic character, and are
associated with an important aspect of the past or
together represent a notable collection of architectural
styles or building types. Historic districts are
documented using the same National Register form as
individual properties, but additional documentation
is required, including a property list and district
map, among other materials. e following items are
required for historic district nominations:
• Completed Oregon Historic Sites Database for
the nominated area.
• Printed Property List and Statistical Report
from the Oregon Historic Sites Database.
• Historic district map with boundaries clearly
identied.
• Photo location map showing the location, photo
number, and direction of view for each photo
included in the nomination.
Multiple Property Documents
e Multiple Property Document Form (MPD) is a
document used to nominate individual properties
and historic districts that share a similar time
period, geographic distribution, historic theme, and
importance. For example, property types and topics
that could be described in a MPD include one-room
school houses in Oregon, inuential architects of
Oregon, or properties related to the boom-time
4 Before Beginning
Properties may be important in more than one area. This
grange hall is important for its association with social
and agricultural history.
Providing good information and involving the public
in the nomination process is particularly important in
planning for historic districts.
development of Baker City. A MPD also identies
the qualities properties must possess to be eligible for
listing in the National Register.
While a MPD is not a National Register nomination
itself, preparers may use a MPD to more easily list
properties that meet the requirements specied in
the document. Generally, only historic preservation
professionals should attempt to complete a MPD;
however, anyone may use one of the many existing
Oregon MPDs to write a nomination if it is relevant to
the subject.
Before Beginning 5
Buildings in historic districts can be architecturally diverse
or share a common architectural style. Irvington Historic
District, Portland, Multnomah Co.
Writing a National Register nomination is a
collaborative process between the preparer and the
Oregon State Historic Preservation Oce (SHPO).
Sta encourages preparers to contact the oce before
beginning a nomination and to work with the oce
throughout the process. Preparing a National Register
nomination for a single property requires between
100 and 150 hours of research, writing, and revision,
and the review process can take up to a year. ere is
no application fee to submit a nomination; however,
preparers supply completed nomination materials at
their own cost. Property owners may also choose to
hire a consultant to complete the work. Please contact
the oce for a list of contractors.
National Register nominations are public documents
not subject to copyright and are posted online by the
National Park Service and the Oregon SHPO. Please
do not include descriptions of personal possessions
in the narrative, and consider removing objects of
value from the property when taking photos for the
nomination document.
Deadlines and Submission Requirements
National Register nominations are typically accepted
in March, July, and November for hearings held
approximately three months later in June, October,
and February. Please call the oce or visit the SHPO
website for deadlines and meeting locations and dates.
A complete nomination for digital submission
includes a nomination cover sheet; the National
Register form with the required gures (location
maps, tax lot map, site plan, and oor plans); one set
of printed color photographs; an electronic copy of the
nomination document in Word 2010 or compatible
format; and digital images on a CD in .tif format.
Optional items include historic photographs of the
property and its occupants, historic maps, and any
key research materials. See Appendix A “Oregon
National Register Format Standards;” Appendix B
“Grammar and Punctuation Standards;” Appendix C
“Digital Photo Standards;” and Appendix F “Oregon
Sample National Register Nomination” for detailed
instructions for each required item noted below.
ese guidelines are based on instructions provided
by the National Park Service for the submission of
digital nomination documents to the agency and
National Register Bulletin 16a, “How to Complete the
National Register Registration Form.” Paper United
States Geological Survey maps and printed 35mm
photography are still accepted, but preparers will
need to meet all requirements for paper submissions
if submitting any portion of the nomination in
Writing a National Register Nomination
6 Writing a National Register Nomination
Parks can also be listed in the National Register. The
Halprin Open Space Sequence is a series of modern
parks in downtown Portland.
paper format. Please contact the oce for further
information. All National Register nominations must
be on the form provided by the Oregon SHPO and
include a National Register nomination cover sheet.
all requirements for paper submissions if submitting
any portion of the nomination in paper format. Please
contact the oce for further information. All National
Register nominations must be on the form provided
by the Oregon SHPO and include a National Register
nomination cover sheet.
1. The National Register Form
• Digital copy of the National Register form on a
CD (including required gures, photo log, and
photo continuation sheets) formatted in a single
word-processing document, in or compatible
with, Word 2010 or higher version and not
exceeding 10mb in total le size. Please name the
document in the following format: State_County_
PropertyName.
Ex: OR_MarionCounty_JohnSmithHouse.
• One hard copy of the nomination form.
2. Figures
General requirements for gures:
• A limited number of select gures, images, and
tables may be inserted into the text of the Section
7 and 8 narratives when the item meets the
applicable general requirements for gures noted
below, are centered widthwise on the page, and do
not exceed one-half of the page length including
the caption, excluding the document header.
In-text items do not require a gure number and
need not be noted in the list of gures at the end
of the document.
• Location maps, tax lot map, site plan(s) and oor
plan(s) and oversize items may not be inserted
into the text of the section 7 and 8 narratives.
Instead, these items must be noted in a list of
gures and placed on Additional Documentation
Continuation sheets at the end of the National
Register form in the following order: general
vicinity map, specic location map, tax lot map,
site plan, oor plan, historic maps, historic site
and oor plans, and historic photos, followed by
other materials as appropriate.
• Provide each exhibit as an appendix with its
own number (including each oor plan). Larger,
11”x17” paper, exhibits are acceptable when
needed to show better detail. Oversize pages
must include the Additional Documentation
Continuation Sheet header.
• All inserted images must be in .jpg format and
not exceed 300kb in le size. Images may be
resized.
• Orient maps, aerial photographs, and site and
oor plans so that north is at the top of the
page and include a north arrow and scale. If the
gure is not to scale, note this in the caption. If
necessary, images may be oriented so the top is at
the le margin to allow for more space.
• For each gure included as an appendix, place the
caption with the gure number above the item
and include it in the list of gures. For in-text
Writing a National Register Nomination 7
A site plan is an important component of a National
Register nomination. Depoe Bay Ocean Wayside,
Depoe Bay, Lincoln Co.
The 99W Drive-In Theatre is listed under Criteria
A and C, as locally important and a unique
property type. Newberg, Yamhill Co.
illustrations, place the caption below the item.
Note source information in the caption or in a
footnote as needed.
• Please submit only those images and maps that
will copy and print well in black-and-white.
• Place each of the following required gures on an
Additional Documentation Continuation sheet.
Location Maps (2 separate maps required)
• At a scale similar to a paper 7.5 minute USGS
map, submit a clear digital “regional location
map” showing adjacent towns, major highways,
etc. surrounding the nominated property.
Locate the nominated property by marking
the geographic center with a “pin,” “callout,” or
by shading the entirety of the nominated area.
Include a graphic scale and north arrow, and
a caption that states the latitude and longitude
coordinates in decimal degrees to at least the
sixth decimal point.
• A close up “local location map” centered on the
property as a separate map with the nominated
area marked. Include a scale and north arrow,
and a caption that includes the same information
provided in the regional location map as
described above.
NOTE: Complete instructions for creating digital
location maps are provided by the National Park
Service at http://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/forms.
htm .
Tax lot map
• Tax lot map from the County Assessor. Please
indicate the boundary of the nominated parcel
or portion of the lot by shading or outlining the
subject area. Include key street or road names if
they are not already on the map. In cases where a
building extends to the lot lines, the tax lot map
and site sketch may be the same map.
Site plan
• Drawing showing all buildings, structures, and
major landscape features within the subject
property, including a label for each feature.
Clearly mark the boundary of the nominated area
and include adjacent streets. Hand drawn plans
are acceptable if the illustration is reasonably
to scale. e tax lot map may also be used as
the site sketch if the subject building is built to
the lot lines, as is the case for many commercial
buildings.
Floor plans (if appropriate)
• Floor plans for each oor (basement to attic) for
the principal building(s) (residence, commercial
building, etc.) Illustrate the width of exterior
walls and interior partitions, window and door
locations, and major features including replaces,
built-in cabinetry, etc. Label each room (kitchen,
dining room, etc.). Hand-drawn plans are
acceptable if the illustration is reasonably to scale.
Historical plans and architectural drawings may
be included as optional exhibits, but do not fulll
this requirement.
3. Photos
• CD of digital images (Images may be on same CD
as National Register form) meeting all aspects of
the National Register Digital Photo Standards.
See Appendix C.
• One set of properly labeled 4”x6” color prints.
• Photo Log and Photograph Continuation Sheets
meeting the following standards:
- All inserted images must be in .jpg
format and not exceed 200kb in le size.
Images may be resized and converted
to a compatible format using a photo
enhancement program, like Adobe
Photoshop or Microso Oce Picture
8 Writing a National Register Nomination
The Winn Barn in individually listed, separate fromt he
Winn’s other farm buildings, under Criterion C for its
unique design. Weston vcty, Umatilla Co.
Manager (included with most Microso
Oce Suites).
- Insert photos on the standard 8-1/2”x11”
photo continuation sheet at the end of the
nomination form.
- Orient photos so that the top of the image
is aligned with the top of the page.
- For each photo, place the caption,
including the photo number, at the bottom
of the each image.
- Please submit only those photos that will
copy well in black-and-white print.
Tips for Writing Better Nominations
Writing a good National Register nomination is not
necessarily dicult, but the task does require attention
to detail. e following tips may not be applicable in
every situation, but do apply to most properties.
General Tips:
• Complete all form blanks, including the
“nomination” and level of signicance and
Criterion blanks on the rst page. Enter “0” or
“N/A” as appropriate.
• Use correct architectural terminology (many
architectural dictionaries are available).
• Provide citations for all quotes and sources in an
appropriate and consistently-applied format.
• Use topic headings to organize the narrative.
• Avoid repetition and be as direct as possible.
• Be sure that the number and type of resources
noted in the form are consistent in name, type,
and number throughout the document and
appendices.
• Cite the source(s) consulted to determine the
construction date.
• Avoid long quotes unless they are very important
to help explain the history and importance of the
property.
• When using quotes, state who is quoted and why
what they say is important (Example: In Space,
Style, and Structure: Building in Northwest
America, architect Philip Dole explains…)
While any consistently applied academic citation
method is acceptable, the National Park Service prefers
footnotes, the academic standard for history. Footnotes
provide the essential publication information without
cluttering the text, and are an easy way to clarify a
point, cite a fact, or tell a brief side-story without
distracting the reader. e SHPO recommends using
the 16th edition of e Chicago Manual of Style (2010)
or the 5th edition of Turabian’s Manual for Writers
(2007) as guidance for footnotes and the bibliography.
Section 7:
Section 7 is the narrative architectural description
and includes three parts. e rst part is the National
Register form that asks to preparer to complete blanks
using only the architectural styles, materials, etc.
provided in National Register Bulletin 16, “How to
Complete the National Register Registration Form.”
e second part is the written “Summary Paragraph,”
and the third is the “Narrative Description.” e tips
below describe how to successfully write an accurate
architectural description.
Summary Paragraph
• In a single brief paragraph, summarize the
appearance of the nominated property. Begin by
describing the location, setting, site and orientation
of nominated property(ies), and continue to
describe, as applicable, the form, height, footprint,
roof style, construction method, windows and
doors, and materials (siding, roong, foundation,
etc.). Note the style or type and construction date;
and cite the archival source for the building date.
Also, briey describe notable exterior features.
Aer describing the exterior, begin the discussion
of the interior by noting the number, type, and
arrangement of rooms and nishes. Follow with
brief descriptions of secondary buildings on the
site, such as barns, garages, etc., and end with a
summary of alterations to the resource(s).
Section 7 - Narrative
Location and Setting
• As appropriate, include a paragraph that describes
in further detail the general location and
Writing a National Register Nomination 9
immediate setting of the resource. If the grounds
or landscaping is signicant, it may be discussed
in detail following the discussion of the main
buildings or the outbuidings.
Exterior
• Describe each side of the building in an orderly
manner. For example, a building can be described
from the foundation and up, and then around
the building starting with the main facade. If
one facade is similar to another there is no need
to repeat the description. Instead, state that the
facade is similar to another and note any unique
characteristics.
Interior
• Organize the interior description so that it
moves from the entryway through the building
in a commonsense manner (e.g. rst describe
the entryway, then the hallway, then the living
room, etc.). If helpful, note where windows,
doors, replaces, closets, and built-in cabinetry
are located within each room. Describe trim and
nishes (ooring, wall nishes, etc.) briey.
• Describe notable historic lighting and plumbing
xtures and hardware ttings generally when
rst addressing the interior, but avoid a detailed
discussion unless these features are known to be
original, unusual, or if a particular piece serves as a
focal point for a room.
Outbuildings, structures, and other secondary
resources (Garages, sheds, barns, wells, etc.)
• Include a brief exterior and interior description
of the building, structure, object, or site as
applicable, as well as materials, and describe
how each building relates to the others. Include
more information for buildings or spaces that are
particularly notable or historically signicant.
Be sure to note whether these resources are
“contributing,” meaning they retain their historic
appearance, or are “non-contributing,” if the
resource was recently constructed or is altered.
Alterations and Additions
• Describe any alterations and additions made to the
property and the approximate dates the alterations
occurred in one or more paragraphs either aer
each resource discussed or at the end of the Section
7, whichever is more appropriate
Section 8:
Section 8 is divided into three parts, each intended
to accomplish a specic purpose. e form includes
general information, and should be completed using
only the categories provided in National Register
Bulletin 16a, “How to Complete the National Register
Form.” e written Summary Statement of Signicance
quickly identies the selected Criteria and level(s),
area(s), and period(s) of signicance the subject
property is nominated under, and includes a brief
paragraph justifying these statements. e Narrative
Statement of Signicance explains and justies all of
the information provided in the Summary paragraph.
Summary Statement of Signicance
• In a single paragraph state the Criterion(ia) and
level(s), area(s), and period(s) of signicance for
the property(ies) being nominated and justify
each. See National Register Bulletins 15 and 16A
for more information about selecting Criteria, and
10 Writing a National Register Nomination
The Madras Army Air Field North Hanger is
listed under Criterion A, for its association with
World War II history. Madras, Jeerson Co.
The Oregon Soldier’s Home Hospital in Roseburg is
listed under Criterion A, for its association witht he
history of Oregon’s veteran’s healthcare.
levels, areas, and periods of signicance.
• Note any Criteria Considerations and provide
a one or two sentence justication for each. See
National Register Bulletin 15, “How to Apply
the National Register Criteria for Evaluation” for
an explanation of the National Register Criteria
Considerations.
Narrative Statement of Signicance
• Do not repeat the Summary Statement of
Signicance.
• e Narrative Statement of Signicance provides
the historic context, and should begin with a
discussion of general topics before moving to
more specic information about the property. For
example, for a historic school, a good nomination
will talk generally about the development
of the area, the town, and education system,
then will provide the architectural context and
the construction history of the building. e
nomination then draws on information already
presented to make an argument for how the school
represents important trends in local development
and education, and then nally tells the reader
why the building should be listed in the National
Register.
• In general, include only the facts that support the
argument for listing and limit the discussion of
events that took place before and aer the selected
period of signicance. While it may be necessary
to explore a variety of topics to appropriately
set a property within its historic context, a
nomination is not a complete history of a building.
Opportunities for additional research can be cited
in footnotes as appropriate.
Comparative Analysis
• All National Register nominations need to explain
how the nominated property is more architecturally
notable or closely associated with an important
historic event or person than other similar resources.
is argument should be based on the selected
Criterion; the level(s), area(s), and period(s) of
signicance(a). Address similar properties with one
or two sentences describing the resource, noting
if it is listed, and discussing how it is related to the
historic context with which the subject property
is associated. Usually two or three comparisons
are sucient. A more in-depth discussion may be
required for properties being nominated for their
architectural importance; however, unique properties
may not need a complete comparative analysis.
A comparative analysis may be separate section
integrated into the body of the text or addressed in a
specic stand-alone passage.
Writing a National Register Nomination 11
The 1959 Paul Bunyan statue in Portland was
constructed in honor of Oregon’s centennial. It is listed
under Criterion C as roadside architecture.
Petersen Rock Garden is listed under Criterion C for its
unique design and as an excellent example of a roadside
attraction. Redmond vcty, Deschutes Co.
As part of the nomination process every document is
reviewed by the local city or county government, the
Oregon State Historic Preservation Oce (SHPO)
sta, the State Advisory Committee on Historic
Preservation (SACHP) (a governor-appointed
citizen commission of preservation experts), and
the National Park Service. Interested private citizens
and public ocials will also have the opportunity to
comment. e decision to list or not list a property
is based only on the merits of property, adequacy of
the documentation, and, in the case of an individual
private property, owner consent. Public agencies
may object to the listing of their property, but their
objection will not prevent listing. Historic districts are
not listed in the Register if the majority of the property
owners object to the designation. Please see the
Oregon SHPO website for more information on how to
support or object to listing a property in the National
Register. See the “National Register Process Flowchart”
on the following page.
State Historic Preservation Ofce
e nomination process begins when the preparer
submits the document to the SHPO for review during
one of the three annual submission periods. Sta will
review the nomination according to the requirements
established in National Register Bulletin 16a, “How
to Complete the National Register Form,” these
supplemental instructions, and any property-specic
guidance available from the National Park Service.
If revisions are needed, a sta member will provide
a memo that outlines required changes to address
before the nomination advances to the next step, and
suggested changes to improve the document. Preparers
have approximately 30 days to fully address the
required revisions and resubmit the nomination for
nal editing.
Local Government
Sixty days before the SACHP meeting, the SHPO
will mail notication of the upcoming hearing to the
chief elected ocial (mayor or county commissioner);
preparer(s); and owner(s) for each property. If the
local community participates in the Certied Local
Government Program (a state-local government
preservation partnership), a copy of the nomination
will be mailed to the local historic preservation
commission for review. Many communities hold public
hearings to review National Register nominations,
and preparers should plan on participating in the local
review process.
National Register Review Process
12 National Register Review Process
The Egyptian Theatre in Coos Bay known for its highly
decorative interiors, is listed under Criterion C for its
design.
State Advisory Committee on Historic
Preservation (SACHP)
e SACHP receives the nominations 30 days before
the meeting. It is the responsibility of the Committee
to review nomination documents for completeness
and accuracy and to make recommendations to the
State Historic Preservation Ocer. e SACHP can
recommend to forward or not to forward a nomina-
tion to the National Park Service, or delay a decision
to the next meeting to allow the preparer to make
further revisions. Aer the SACHP meets, SHPO sta
will compile comments from the local government,
SACHP, and sta into a revision memo. e preparer
will have 30-60 days to make changes. SHPO sta will
review the revised nomination for completeness before
presenting the document to the Oregon State Historic
Preservation Ocer, who will make a recommenda-
tion concerning the property’s eligibility for listing
before forwarding the nomination to the National Park
Service for nal consideration.
National Park Service
Comments by the local government, SACHP, and
SHPO are advisory. Only the National Park Service has
the authority to list a property in the National Regis-
ter. Once received from the SHPO, the National Park
Service has 45 days to review the documentation. e
agency will notify the SHPO by email when the prop-
erty is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Sta will then inform the owners by letter or by phone.
As part of the SHPO’s eorts to promote the program,
the oce will issue a press release announcing the
listing and will post the nomination document on the
SHPO website.
National Register Review Process 13
e following is a summary of the format standards used by Oregon State Historic Preservation Oce sta to
prepare all nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. Applicants are encouraged to prepare their
documents to the following standards to ensure ecient processing; however, nominations will not be rejected
if they do not. However, sta will format documents not meeting the standards before they are forwarded to the
State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation, which may result in delays.
Text: Form blanks: Ariel font, 10 point size, with text set o one space from the
le-hand margin.
Narrative: Arial font, 11 point size.
Page numbers and footnotes: Ariel font, 10 point size.
Section 3, rst page of form:
Use a capital bold “X” to check the “nomination” blank and the correct level(s) of signi
cance. Leave the determination of eligibility, the second blank, empty.
Header (second page of form and continuation sheets):
Property name typed as it appears on the rst page.
Appropriate county spelled out and state abbreviated.
Example: Marion County, OR
Section 5, Classication:
Ownership of Property and Category of Property: Use a capital bold “X” to check
all boxes that apply.
Number of Resources: Indicate the number of buildings, sites, structures
and objects with counting numbers, 1, 2, 3, etc. On the “Total Line” add up each column.
Enter “0,” if appropriate. Do not count properties already listed in the National Register.
Name of related multiple property listing and number of contributing resources
previously listed in the National Register: Enter “N/A” for all blanks that do not apply.
Section 8, form blanks:
List the names of signicant persons, builders, architects, etc. by last name, then rst.
Ex: Jacobberger, Joseph, Architect
Section 9, Bibliography :
Provide an alphabetical listing of all resources following a recognized documentation
standard, such as the Chicago Manual of Style or Modern Language Association (MLA) .
Include only those resources used in the preparation of the document, not all materials
that were viewed as part of the research. Check all blanks in the “previous documentation”
section with an “X.”
Appendix A: Oregon SHPO National Register Format
Standards
Section 10, Geographical Information:
Enter the latitude and longitude location coordinates (rounded to the sixth decimal point)
and estimated acreage using counting numbers. If the acreage is 0.99 acre or less, enter
“Less an One” in the blank. Do not include properties already listed in the National
Register in the acreage calculation or the total count of properties to be listed.
e following is a summary of the grammar and punctuation standards adopted from the Historic American
Building Record (HABS); Historic American Engineering Record (HAER); and Historic American Landscape
Survey (HALS) standards published by the National Park Service and used by Oregon State Historic Preserva-
tion Oce sta to prepare nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. Applicants are encouraged
to prepare their documents to the following standards; however, nominations will not be rejected if they do not.
However, sta will format documents not meeting the standards before they are forwarded to the State Advisory
Committee on Historic Preservation, which may result in delays.
Years: 1930s, ‘30s
not irties or 1930’s
1850-60, 1999-2000
Do not repeat century unless it changes
Always include the decade, ie., not 1850-7
First quarter of the nineteenth century
Not rst quarter of the 1800s
spring 1888, January 2012
do not capitalize season, or state as “spring of 1977.”
do not use a comma, as in “May, 1995.”
Dates: December 14, 2009, was a great day
note comma aer the year
ca. 1850: not c. or circa (written out)
Tow ns: Tempe, Arizona, is a lovely town.
note comma aer the state
Numbers/ All numbers from one to ninety-nine are written out, while 100 and above are
Numerals: cited as numerals, except in the case of ages, street numbers, dimensions, and millions.
Percent: 0.7 percent, 50 percent; always use a numeral, and only in a chart of graph use
the “%” symbol.
Money: $5.87, $24.00, $234.98, 1 cent, 10 cents 99 cents
do not write out dollars.
Dimensions: Measurements and dimensions are never written out; they always appear as
numerals, and feet or inches are always indicated using technical symbol
Example: 10’-6” x 18’-0” 6’-3-1/2” 2” x 4” 9’3/4”
Appendix B: Grammar and Puncuation Guidelines
Use a lowercase x, not “by”
Use apostrophes and quotation marks for feet and inches, respectively
Hyphenate all feet and inches numerals and any fractions. Indicate an even
measurement with “-0.”
When punctuating dimensions, commas fall outside the inches/feet marks.
Ex: e planks measures 10’-6”, 5’-2-1/3”, and 2’-0”.
Approximate measurements do not require the “-0”: ie., e commercial building
is about 20’ wide and 40’ deep.
Exception to measurements rule: 10 cubic feet and 10 square feet.
Streets/ 1495 Evergreen Ave.
Addresses: capitalize and abbreviate street, avenue, boulevard, etc., but not short
items such as road and lane when the number prefaces the street name.
Eric Page lived on Chinook Street
Write out and capitalize street, avenue, etc. when no number is given.
It is at the intersection of Rucker and 41st streets.
When two proper names (also true of companies, rivers, etc.) are listed,
do not capitalize street.
e houses surveyed are No. 15 and No. 27 Almon St.
“number(s)” is always capitalized and abbreviated as No. or Nos.
Capitalization: U.S. government, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. exports
Write out “United States” when it is the noun, but not when it is an
adjective, do not place a space between U. and S.
Hyphenations: Many phrases are claried when augmented by a hyphen; the following
architectural terminology is claried using the general rules of hyphenation:
1. In general, hyphenate an adjectival construction, one that which precedes the
subject.
2. In general, do not hyphenate an “ly” word, including “federally.”
3. Do not hyphenate “late” or “early” before a century.
Ex: one-over-one-light, double-hung sash (write out numbers)
bird’s eye view, bulls-eye window
load-bearing brick wall; but the brick wall is load bearing
stained-glass windows, but the windows contain stained glass
ve- and seven-course bond (note division form in a series)
single-family and multi-family dwellings
nineteenth-century light house
Palladian-style, … a Mission-style rooine.
Append “-style” to an established architectural term if the subject
is reminiscent of the original but not an example of the actual model, except in
cases of proper names, like International Style.
Photographs for National Register of Historic Places nominations must meet specic requirements for image and
printing quality. Digital images and prints not meeting the requirements will be returned to the preparer for cor-
rection. Unfortunately, sta cannot oer guidance on camera or soware operation. If using 35mm photography,
please contact the Oregon State Historic Preservation Oce for instructions.
1. Adjust camera settings
Set the camera to take .tif or .raw images
e National Park Service prefers that images be taken as original-capture .tif or as .raw les and then con-
verted to .tif. If taking images as .raw les, a photo enhancement program, such as Adobe Photoshop, is
needed to read the le and convert it to .tif format. Refer to the camera’s user’s manual to determine whether
it can take .tif. or .raw images and how to set this function.
Most consumer-grade, point-and-shoot digital cameras take images as .jpeg or.jpg, or proprietary image les
and do not have the ability to take .tif or .raw images. Jpeg or .jpg images can be used if they are converted to
.tif images using a photo enhancement program. See step 3 below.
Adjust image size to at least 6 megapixels and 3000 x 2000 pixels in size and 300 dpi.
Generally, to adjust the size (pixels) of an image the le size of the picture (number of megapixels) will need
to be increased. See user manual to set this function.
Take images in 8-bit RGB color
Take images in 8-Bit, or higher, RGB color. is is the default setting for most cameras.
2. Take complete photo coverage of the resource
Exterior: Provide one image of the building(s) within the setting, and at least two images, taken from opposite
corners, showing all four sides of the building. More photos may be necessary to show each facade in sucient
detail. Additionally, include at least one photo of each outbuilding and images of any notable architectural
features. As appropriate, include images that show the relationships between the building(s) and features.
Interior: Include one image of each principal room (living room, kitchen, dining room, etc.). Large spaces may
require two photos taken from opposite ends of the room. It is not necessary to provide a photo for similar
rooms, such as bedrooms. Instead, choose a representative room. Take detail photos of notable features, such
as a replace.
Please provide no more than 15 photos for a single building. Contact the oce for guidance on photographing
historic districts or properties with multiple buildings, such as agricultural properties.
Appendix C: National Register Digital Photo Standards
3. Convert and name digital images
Convert .raw, .jpg, or proprietary image les to .tif les.
A photo enhancement program, such as Adobe Photoshop, will be needed to convert image les to alternative
formats. is step is not necessary if the image is already in .tif format. Do not crop, color enhance, lighten,
darken, or otherwise change images as part of this process. Retake poor-quality images that do not meet the
image size specied in step 1.
Rename les according to the following conventions: OR_CountyName_FullPropertyName_ImageNumber
(with three leading zeros)
Ex: Individual properties: OR_OregonCounty_AnneSmithHouse_0001
Ex: Historic Districts: OR_OregonCounty_SmithCommercialHistoricDistrict_0001
Ex: Multiple Property Document: OR_OregonCounty_AnneSmithHouse_SmithMPD_0001
4. Create a photograph log
Complete Section 12, Photographs, including providing the property name, address information, photogra-
pher, date the images were taken and a description of each photo. See Appendix E “Oregon Sample National
Register Nomination” for an example.
5. Key all photos to the site plan (Historic Districts or Complex Properties Only)
Using a computer program or by hand, place the image numbers on a clean copy of the site plan to indicate
where each image was taken, and draw and arrow from the image number pointing the direction the photog-
rapher was facing. Insert a digital copy of this map in the nomination form aer the photograph log on its own
page.
6. Insert resized images into the National Register form
As part of the review process, photos are provided to local governments and the State Advisory Committee
on Historic Preservation on photo continuation sheets at the end of the National Register nomination form.
is appendix is not provided to the National Park Service, but is posted with the nomination on the Oregon
SHPO website if the property is listed in the National Register.
Format the photo continuation sheets according to the instructions provided in this document under “Writ-
ing a National Register Nomination,” “Photos,” page 7. Before inserting images, resize the les to 100kb or
less using a photo enhancement program. Insert up to two images per page. See Appendix E “Oregon Sample
National Register Nomination” for an example.
7. Print the images
Print on set of color 4”x6” images using archival-quality material such as Fuji Crystal Archive paper and
processing or similar-quality photo paper and process, widely available at most photo processing retailers. If
printing photos on a home printer, consider the following ink and paper suggestions provided by the National
Park Service:
Recommended Papers:Epson Premium Glossy Paper
HP Professional Satin Photo Paper
Matte Epson Ultra Premium Glossy Photo Paper
HP Premium Plus Photo Paper
Recommended Inks: Epson UltraChrome K3
HP Vivera Pigment Inks
Epson Claria “Hi-Denition Inks”
Erpson DuraBrite Ultra Pigmented Inks
Agfa paper is not accepted by the National Park Service.
e list of products provided here is not intended to be restrictive or comprehensive, and shall not be taken as an
endorsement.
8. Label the printed images
Use so-lead pencil or archival pen to label the back of printed photos using the following convention:
Ex: Photo 1 of 15: Anne Smith House, Multnomah Co., OR
Do not press so hard that the lettering can be seen from the image side of the photograph.
Appendix D: Testifying Before the State Advisory
Committee on Historic Preservation
Giving public testimony before the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) will be a posi-
tive experience if you are prepared. e hearing will begin with a brief presentation by Oregon State Historic
Preservation Oce (SHPO) sta. e public is then invited to give testimony about the property to the SACHP.
Preparers and owners will have an opportunity to speak, but it is not required, and may choose to only be avail-
able to answer questions. Suggestions to help make your testimony successful are noted below.
Before the Meeting and the SACHP Process
e members of the SACHP are unpaid volunteers and appreciatethat you have taken time out of your day to
come and testify before them. Remember:
• Know the location of the building, meeting room, and meeting time. Arrive early to give yourself time to col
lect your thoughts.
•I f you want to give testimony or comments, ll out a testimony card and hand it to the committee chair or
sta when you arrive at the meeting. Testiers are not necessarily called in chronological order.
• If possible, arrive early to observe another hearing for a nomination prior to your own hearing to become
familiar with the process.
Presenting Your Testimony and Comments
• Please sit at the testimony table when speaking.
• Keep in mind there are many agenda items for the Committee to get through and that you will have 3-5
minutes to testify.
• Begin your testimony by addressing the committee. “For the record, my name is …” and state your address
and the organization or group you represent.
• State whether you support or oppose the nomination being heard and briey explain why you believe the
property is or is not eligible for the National Register. Provide facts that support your opinion. If possible,
provide information that is pertinent to the nomination that the Committee might not already know.
• Be respectful and resist the temptation to scold, put down, or insult the Committee or others.
• ank the Committee members and oer to answer any questions. “ank you for the opportunity to testify
before you today. I would be happy to answer any questions.”
• Relax! e Committee members understand that this can be an intimidating experience and they do not
expect a perfect presentation.
• For group testimony, select specic people in your group to cover dierent topics so that the testimony is not
repetitive.
NOTE: All proceedings of the SACHP are digitally recorded
and available to the public upon request.
Appendix E: National Register Flow Chart
