On Tuesday, August 6, about 20 members of the public, including members of the Board of Directors of the TYHS and members of the Fairbanks Historical Commission met with representatives of the State Office of History and Archaeology (Judy Bittner, Jo Antonson, Russ Sackett), and Paul Lusignan of the National Park Service who explained the National Register of Historic Places
The meeting was intended to provide interested persons with information about the National Register of Historic Places. Here are some of the questions and answers:
What qualifies a property for listing?
Properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places possess historic significance and integrity. Significance may be found in four aspects of American history recognized by the National Register Criteria.
A property must meet at least one of the criteria for listing. Integrity must also include location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association.
Generally properties must be fifty years of age to be considered historic places. They must also be significant when evaluated in relationship to major trends of history in their community, state, or the nation.
What can be included on the National Historical Register?
Individual buildings, historical districts and archaeological sites are listed.
What constitutes an Historical District?
An Historical District is a group of two or more buildings in a contiguous area that meet the criteria set forth above. For example, the site of the Fairbanks Exploration Company housing complex on Illinois Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a district. The cottages were recently rehabilitated and gained new life as the Fairbanks Exploration Company Inn. The exteriors of the cottages remained essentially unchanged while the interiors were sensitively updated to current standards.
People often wonder whether Alaskaland is an historic district. It is not since the buildings have been taken out of their historic context. Exceptions are: Wickersham House, the Harding Railroad Car and the steamer Nenana. They stand alone in their importance to the community, the State and the nation. All three are listed on the National Register for Historic Places. The sternwheeler Nenana is also a designated Historic Landmark.
How does an Historic District get established and on the Register?
One or more property owners in a historically significant area may initiate the process by requesting that such a district be established through the Office of Community Planning (located in the Fairbanks North Star Borough office building). The staff person you would ask for is Renee Patten (450-1260). All property owners within the proposed boundaries are invited to comment on the nomination and a majority will carry the designation.
Many communities have their own local landmark program. Fairbanks has a Historic Building Survey. The buildings listed in the survey are local landmarks, but Fairbanks does not have official landmark designations.
Many communities find listing on the National Register of Historic Places a good tool in the economic revitalization of their neighborhoods and in the preservation of the cultural character of their community.
Who may prepare a National Register Nomination?
Any person or organization may preparea nomination in the form of a completed registration form. This includes property owners, public agencies, private institutions, etc. However nominations have to have the consent of property owners. Applicants submit the request to a Local Certified Government (CLG) agency; in our case, the Borough or City. The Department of Community Planning publishes a brochure outlining the steps a nomination takes from the local levels to the State and National review boards.
What kinds of limitations are there on owners of designated properties?
The private property owner retains full rights over the disposition of properties listed in the National Register, including destruction. If the registered property is altered in such a way that its historic value is lost, then after a review it will be taken off the Register.
Remember, the buildings that make up a community's historic heritage can only be saved at the local level, not by federal or state agencies.