A National Historic Landmark need not be a grand building. The federal program also recognizes sites, structures, objects and entire districts, reflecting the many physical forms in which American history survives.
In its overview, updated December 16, 2024, the National Park Service reported more than 2,600 National Historic Landmarks across the United States. Each represents an outstanding aspect of the country’s history and culture.
That breadth is central to the program’s purpose. A landmark designation identifies a historic property that illustrates American heritage; the recognized property may encompass something larger than an individual structure or take a form that does not resemble a conventional monument.
National Park Service staff guide the nomination process for new landmarks. The program also works with citizens around the country and assists landmarks that have already received recognition. Its responsibilities therefore extend beyond announcing additions to the list.
The list continues to develop. On December 16, 2024, the Secretary of the Interior announced 19 new National Historic Landmarks and approved updates to 14 nominations, according to the program’s overview.
For readers exploring American heritage, the range of eligible properties offers a useful starting point: look beyond the familiar historic house. The national landmark program recognizes that an outstanding chapter of the country’s story can reside in an object, a landscape of connected properties or the site where history happened.
