The Forest Hill Historic District

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.

The Forest Hill Rockefeller homes were listed on the National Register, in 1986, as the Forest Hill Historic District. Following this resident-led initiative, the Forest Hill Historic Preservation Society was formed in 1987. FHHO has been a friend and partner to the Forest Hill Historic Preservation Society for thirty years and we are happy to support them on their current endeavour; to have the entire community of Forest Hill listed with the National Register of Historic Places.

Learn more about the Forest Hill Historic District by visiting the Forest Hill Historic Preservation Society website. For additional history of the Forest Hill Historic District (photo galleries, memorabilia, press and links to local and national historic societies), as well as frequently asked questions about the National Register of Historic Places Program, please check out the links below!

 

Many of our residents are passionate about Forest Hill and the history and architecture of our neighborhood. If you have a question for one of our neighborhood historians, please contact us!

 
 
A special thank you to Jax & Tamiko Stumpes for use of their photos of the Forest Hill Rockefeller Homes!

A special thank you to Jax & Tamiko Stumpes for use of their photos of the Forest Hill Rockefeller Homes!

about the Forest Hill Historic District

 

faq's about the national register of historic places

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Park Service administers the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is the official Federal list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. National Register properties have significance to the history of their community state, or the nation. Nominations for listing historic properties come from State Historic Preservation Officers, from Federal Preservation Officers for properties owned or controlled by the United States Government, and from Tribal Historic Preservation Officers for properties on Tribal lands. Private individuals and organizations, local governments, and American Indian tribes often initiate this process and prepare the necessary documentation. A professional review board in each state considers each property proposed for listing and makes a recommendation on its eligibility. National Historic Landmarks are a separate designation, but upon designation, NHLs are listed in the National Register of Historic Places if not already listed.

What are the restrictions, rules, regulations for historic property owners?

From the Federal perspective (the National Register of Historic Places is part of the National Park Service), a property owner can do whatever they want with their property as long as there are no Federal monies attached to the property. You can find this on our website at:

http://www.nps.gov/nr/national_register_fundamentals.htm

However, before this occurs, you can, or the property owner should contact the State historic preservation office (SHPO.) The SHPO is the state agency that oversees historic preservation efforts in their state. There may be state or local preservation laws that they should be aware of before they undertake a project with a historic property.

You can find contact information for the SHPOs at:

http://www.nps.gov/nr/shpolist.htm

If Federal monies are attached to the property then any changes to the property have to allow the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (www.achp.gov) to comment on the project.

You can also read a copy of the National Register of Historic Places code of Federal regulations at: http://www.nps.gov/nr/regulations.htm

You can also find general information for owners at:

http://www.nps.gov/nr/national_register_fundamentals.htm

Can I modify, remodel, or renovate, my historic house?

From the Federal perspective (the National Register of Historic Places is part of the National Park Service), a property owner can do whatever they want with their property as long as there are no Federal monies attached to the property. You can find this on our website at:

http://www.nps.gov/nr/national_register_fundamentals.htm

However, before this occurs, you can, or the property owner should contact the State historic preservation office (SHPO.) The SHPO is the state agency that oversees historic preservation efforts in their state. There may be state or local preservation laws that the owner should be aware of before they undertake a project with a historic property.

You can find contact information for the SHPOs at:

http://www.nps.gov/nr/shpolist.htm

If Federal monies are attached to the property then any changes to the property have to allow the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (www.achp.gov) to comment on the project.

You can also read a copy of the National Register of Historic Places code of Federal regulations at: http://www.nps.gov/nr/regulations.htm

You can also find general information for owners at:

http://www.nps.gov/nr/national_register_fundamentals.htm

You can find more FAQ's on the National Historic Landmarks program at their website.