Once the potential sponsor of the property has received the nomination packet from MDAH, the sponsor may proceed with the application.
Nominations are usually submitted by the property owners, but people other than the owner may sponsor a property. Federal regulations allow private property owners to disallow listing of their own properties.
Some sponsors prepare the nomination themselves, but many seek assistance from consultants who specialize in National Register nominations. A list of consultants is included in the nomination packet.
A National Register nomination is a formal document that includes
- Detailed description of the property and any changes it has undergone
- Statement explaining why the property is significant
- Brief summary of property history
- Precise statement of boundaries or a legal description
- Several photographs
- Topographic map indicating the location
- Sketch of the floor plan for individual buildings
Mississippi Historic Preservation Professional Review Board
The Review Board meets three times a year in the Second Floor Conference Room of the Charlotte Capers Building. Completed nominations are presented to the Review Board.
The appointed committee is composed of the following members:
- One member of the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History.
- One member appointed by the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Historical Society.
- The director of the Department of Archives and History.
- Six private citizens to be appointed by the MDAH Board of Trustees. These individuals are qualified to represent the fields of history, architecture, architectural history, prehistoric archaeology and historic archaeology.
The property owner and local government are notified in advance of the Review Board meeting that the property is being considered for recommendation as a National Register listing. Afterward, the property owner and local government are notified of any actions taken by the Review Board.
Upon approval by the Review Board, the nomination is checked by MDAH and sent for final review and approval to the US Department of the Interior, which administers the National Register program. The nomination will be approved or returned for additional work. MDAH will notify the owner and the local government of the Department of the Interior’s decision.
For more information about the National Register of Historic Places, contact Thomas Dabney at tdabney@mdah.ms.gov or 601-576-6701.