About NCSHPO
A Message from the President of NCSHPO
With the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966, the federal government started looking differently at historic properties. For the first time, our collective historical heritage was recognized as an important foundation of the country as a whole as well as to the American people. Historic properties significant in our history were acknowledged as vital legacies of cultural, educational, esthetic, and economic consequence. In so doing, various programs were created in support of historic preservation, and the federal government turned to the states to implement them.
Today, each state maintains a historic preservation program headed by a State Historic Preservation Officer, appointed by the governor. Known as the “SHPO,” he or she fulfills ten responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act as well as duties outlined under individual state laws. All these tasks are intended to make government, at all levels, accountable for historic properties and, if appropriate, to encourage the restoration or rehabilitation of historic buildings, sites, and structures for on-going uses.
The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) is the professional organization that brings together the SHPOs from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, as well as the territories and protectorates of the United States to share knowledge and experience, collaborate, and promote historic preservation. The National Conference enables us to effectively work together and interact with our partners.
Welcome to the NCSHPO web site. From this site, you can access information on historic preservation issues, identify your SHPO, and ascertain other preservation partners. I invite you to browse this site and learn more about historic preservation.
Jay D. Vogt
President
