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Nomination Process

The following is a step-by-step guide to listing a property in the National Register of Historic Places and/or the Register of Historic Kansas Places.  For information about nominating a historic district, click here.

Seneca WellFile a Preliminary Site Information Questionnaire

This is a two-page form that the SHPO staff uses to evaluate whether properties meet the requirements for listing in the registers.  A property sponsor should submit this form, along with photographs of the property, to the Cultural Resources Division.

Receive Eligibility Letter
Within a few weeks of submitting the PSIQ, the property sponsor will receive a letter from staff indicating whether the property is eligible for the registers. If the property is eligible, the letter will include a nomination form and instructions on how to proceed with the nomination.

Submit a Draft Register Nomination
A National Register form consists of two main parts, a narrative architectural description of the nominated property and a statement of significance. The statement of significance must provide a history of the property and justification of its significance in accordance with the applicable National Register criteria. The Kansas Register form mimics that of the National Register. The nomination sponsor or hired consultant is responsible for compiling the draft nomination. For guidance on completing the form, refer to National Register Bulletin 16A: How to Complete the National Register Registration Form.  If you need assistance researching your property see our Researching a Historic Property page. 

Receive SHPO Staff Feedback
The staff carefully reviews each nomination and usually suggest revisions with the intention of helping the author produce the strongest nomination possible. The SHPO staff reviews and comments on the draft within sixty days. Revisions may continue until staff believes the document is ready to be scheduled for consideration by the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review.

Consideration by the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review
Once a nomination is considered complete, it will be considered by the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review. This board, which meets quarterly, is appointed by the Governor to make recommendations on the nomination of properties to the registers. Nominations are presented to the board by Cultural Resources Division staff or qualified professional consultants. Nomination sponsors are encouraged to attend this public meeting.

Review Board lists property in the Kansas Register
If approved by the review board and the State Historic Preservation Officer, the property will be listed in the Register of Historic Kansas Places following the meeting. 

National Park Service Considers Nomination
If the property is being nominated to the National Register, the nomination will be forwarded to the National Park Service for consideration. The nomination sponsor and property owner will receive notification from the SHPO when a property is officially entered in the National Register. 

Approved nominations are uploaded to the Register Database.

The nomination process takes between six and twelve months to complete.
Questions? Contact the Cultural Resources Division at 785-272-8681 ext. 240 or cultural_resources@kshs.org.