NPS Seeking Input on Traditional Cultural Properties Guidelines

2/9/2023: The National Register of Historic Places is seeking comments on its revised “National Register Bulletin 38: Guidelines for Evaluating and Documenting Traditional Cultural Properties” (TCP Bulletin).

This publication provides guidance for identifying, evaluating, and documenting traditional cultural places (TCPs) that are significant in American history, architecture, engineering, archeology, and culture, at local, state, and national levels of significance.

Information about the project background, links to the draft documents, information session registration and comment processes may be found HERE.

BACKGROUND

First issued in 1990, the TCP Bulletin was developed to provide guidance on nominating buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts believed to have traditional cultural significance for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The TCP Bulletin was updated in 1992 to address concerns that properties of importance to Tribes or Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) were being excluded from listing by virtue of the fact that religious properties are not typically eligible for listing in the National Register. It was again updated in 1998 to re-state that TCPs are not a new property type nor an additional level of significance.

From 2011 to 2013, in response to ever-increasing requests for additional assistance on TCP identification and evaluation, NPS held listening sessions around the country to gather comments. NPS hosted webinars and participated in conferences and meetings with Federal and state agencies, Native Americans, Native Hawai’ians, Native Alaskans, and preservation organizations. Most comments received asked for clarification on just what is eligible as a TCP and just how the federal review process (Section 106 consultation) applies to TCPs.

From 2014 to 2017, NPS developed a revised draft that to include plain language and successful nominations as examples. In mid-2017, the update initiative was halted. The NPS is now relaunching that effort to revised the TCP Bulletin. The 2017 draft has been further revised to enhance plain language and include additional examples and images.

NPS CONSULTATION MEETINGS

The NPS will conduct a series of webinars tailored to a variety of audiences.

All meetings will be held virtually via Zoom. You may register for any of the webinars listed below but are encouraged to attend the one for the group with which you most closely identify, as each presentation and Q&A period will focus on issues of interest to that group.

Native Hawaiian Organizations Webinar
2:00 to 4:00 PM Eastern
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BttuEKp-S0CsdI-ZN-D8tQ

Agencies/Organizations Webinar 1 of 2
(This webinar is appropriate for Federal, state and local agencies, and both public and private organizations. Two webinars- -this one and the one listed below- -are being offered to provide scheduling flexibility.)
2:00 to 4:00 PM Eastern
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LoXhIgqdTS23sOBkFbAFqQ

Agencies/Organizations Webinar 2 of 2
2:00 to 4:00 PM Eastern
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_X5MU_XyETZSrIEV-Fh_tHQ

Public Webinar 1 of 2
2:00 to 4:00 PM Eastern
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eucSdRGOQpC1Fhbd0Mmz2Q

Public Webinar 2
2:00 to 4:00 PM Eastern
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sBlIvc_QSOyDPegXu8h00w

COMMENTING

The deadline for submitting comments is April 30, 2023.

The NPS invites comments on the Draft TCP Bulletin. Comments may be submitted online by clicking the “Open For Comment” link HERE

This action will open the comment submission screen.

Alternatively, comments may be submitted via email to nr_tcp@nps.gov or mailed to:

National Register of Historic Places
National Park Service
Stewart Lee Udall Building
1849 C Street, NW
Mail Stop 7228
Washington, D.C. 20240
ATTN: Draft TCP Bulletin