Steps of Nomination - Part 6: Completing the Nomination Process

After a proposed nomination is approved by the Georgia National Register Review Board, the nominated property or district is officially listed in the Georgia Register of Historic Places. The Georgia Register has the same criteria and process as the National Register of Historic Places and is the criteria associated with Georgia’s state tax incentives and HPD’s grant program.

Preparing Official Documentation

The final step in the National Register process is preparing the official documentation to submit to the National Park Service (NPS) in Washington, DC. The requirements for submission to the National Register are provided in the National Register Bulletin: How to Complete the National Register Registration Form. A National Register nomination consists of the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (10-900), TIF-format digital photographs, one or more property or district maps, and additional supporting documentation, as required.

HPD’s National Register staff assists in this final step by providing professional and technical expertise to edit the final 10-900 form to meet NPS standards. This final step can take from 18 to 24 months, although National Register staff generally are able to complete final documentation in less than a year. HPD’s National Register staff will compile the required photographs, maps, and site plans submitted by the sponsor to send to the National Park Service. For some nominations, additional supporting documentation provided by the sponsor is scanned or photocopied and submitted with the nomination form, such as historic photographs, Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, original floor plans, historic maps, postcard views, or other relevant materials.

The completed nomination form is reviewed and signed by the HPD’s Division Director and sent to the Keeper of the National Register at the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, in Washington, DC. Once received, the Keeper has a 45-day review period. As part of the review process, the National Register publishes notice in the Federal Register that the property or district is being considered for listing in the National Register. A 15-day commenting period from date of publication is provided. When necessary to assist in the preservation of historic properties this 15-day period may be shortened or waived. A list of pending National Register nominations and the date they were received is available on the National Register’s website.

At the end of the 45-day review period, the Keeper of the National Register determines whether the proposed nomination meets the National Register Criteria and has been adequately documented. If it meets these requirements, the nomination is officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places and an announcement is posted on the National Register’s weekly list. In rare cases, a nomination may be returned to HPD for additional research and documentation. If this occurs, it is the responsibility of the sponsor to provide additional research and documentation as necessary. In very rare cases, a proposed nomination is determined not to qualify for listing by the Keeper.

After HPD is notified of National Register listing, a photocopy of the official National Register nomination form, photographs, maps, and any additional documentation submitted as part of the official nomination is sent to the sponsor(s) of the nomination along with a certificate suitable for framing. A photocopy of the nomination materials is also sent to the preservation planner at the regional commission, local historical society, historic preservation commission staff, and other public agencies, as necessary. A press release is prepared and distributed by HPD, and the listing is publicized through our website and social media. A copy of the National Register nomination form and all research, documentation, and other materials associated with the nomination permanently remains on file at HPD.

The Historic Preservation Division encourages owners of historic properties to display National Register plaques as a means of recognizing and promoting the National Register program, but plaques are neither a requirement of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior program nor are they supplied by either office.

While the Historic Preservation Division and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources do not endorse any manufacturer of plaques, our office does provide a list of foundries (see below) as a public service. These companies are known as experienced producers of National Register plaques.

List of Known Foundries

The Historic Preservation Division encourages owners of historic properties to display National Register plaques as a means of recognizing and promoting the National Register program, but plaques are neither a requirement of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior program nor are they supplied by either office. While the Historic Preservation Division and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources do not endorse any manufacturer of plaques, our office does provide the following names and addresses of foundries as a public service.

These companies are known as experienced producers of National Register plaques:

  • Healy Brothers Foundry
    P.O. Box 4
    Manville, Rhode Island 02838
    healyplaques.com
    1-800-995-0981
  • Erie Landmark Company
    637 Hempfield Hill Road
    Columbia, PA 17512
    erielandmark.com
    1-800-874-7848
  • East Point Foundry
    1312 Central Avenue
    Atlanta, GA 30344
    eastpointfoundry.com
    404-762-1737

This list does not represent all manufacturers of metal plaques. Others may be found in historic preservation related periodicals, online, or in local telephone directories.