The Missouri Guide to the National
Register Process
Completed by the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office
Revised 2016; 2017; 2021
Originally Published 20141

Table of Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 3
The National Register Process…………………………………………………………………………………………….…….4
Missouri Standards for National Register Nomination Submissions………………………………………….6
Approaching the NR Process......................................................................................................……….13
Eligibility Assessments……………………………………………………………………………………………………………13
Significance and Integrity……………………………………………………………………………………………………….13
Research………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16
Jacket ............................................................................................................................................... 17
Additional Areas of Significance……………………………………………………………………………………………..22
Headings………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..29
Section 7........................................................................................................................................... 31
Summary……………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………….....31
Setting……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….…32
Architectural Descriptions……………………………………………………………………………………………………...32
Interior Description and Floor Plans…………………………………………………………………………………….…33
Districts……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…36
Section 8........................................................................................................................................... 39
Summary………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..39
Narrative ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….40
Historic Context and Argument…………………………………………………………………….…………………………42
Period of Significance and Significant Dates……………………………………………………………………….…..43
General Tips for Section 8……………………………………………………………………………………………………….45
Section 10 Boundaries ...................................................................................................................... 50
Owner/Elected Official Information ……………………………………………………………………………………………………52
Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) ................................................................................ 53
Source Citations, Plagiarism, and Writing........................................................................................... 55
Maps ................................................................................................................................................ 60
Photo Policy...................................................................................................................................... 72
Appendix
I. Preparer Checklist for Nomination Submittal. ..................................................................... 75
II. National Park Service “White Paper” on Parking Lots in Historic Districts ............................ 77
III. Exhibit A Property Owner Sheet. ...................................................................................... 80
IV. Exhibit B Elected Officials Sheet........................................................................................ 81
V. Instructions for Providing District Owner Information………………………………………………………..82
VI. District Owner Information Template………………………………………………………………………………..84
VII. Online Resources ............................................................................................................ 852

Introduction
The National Register of Historic Places, administered by the National Park Service, is theofficial list of the Nation’s historic places considered worthy of documentation and preservation.
In order for a property to be listed in the National Register it must go through a nomination
process and a completed registration form must be submitted to the State Historic Preservation
Office (SHPO) for review.
Anyone can prepare a National Register nomination, and SHPO staff is here to help guideindividuals through this process. For those who would like to get a property listed but do notwant to write the nomination themselves, there are consultants who can be hired to complete thisprocess. In these cases, the SHPO will communicate with the consultant concerning the
preparation of the National Register nomination. However, you can reach out to the SHPO andspecifically request to be copied in any correspondence related to your project. While the SHPO
does not endorse or recommend any particular consultants, a list of those who provide these
services in Missouri is available on our website. This list can be accessed online here:
https://mostateparks.com/page/84241/archaeology-and-historic-preservation-consultants-listand-professional-qualifications
The Missouri Guide to the National Register Process was created to assist in the completion of
the National Register form. It is intended to supplement, but not replace, the National Register
Bulletin 16A: How to Complete the National Register Registration Form1. The guide includes
Missouri’s submission standards for National Register nominations in addition to providing
technical assistance and clarification on common issues. This guide will be reviewed periodicallyand updated as needed.

The Missouri State Historic Preservation Office and the National Register and Survey
Section:The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is part of the Division of State Parks within the
Missouri Department of Natural Resources. It is responsible, in partnership with the U.S.
Department of the Interior's National Park Service and local governments, for carrying out the
mandates of the National Historic Preservation Act (P.L. 89-665, as amended) in Missouri. The
SHPO works with citizens and groups throughout the state to identify, evaluate, and protect
Missouri's diverse range of historic, architectural, and archaeological resources.

1

National Register Bulletins are noted throughout this document and will not always include a link. They will
sometimes be referred to as “NR Bulletins” or “Bulletin” that may be followed by a number. All NR Bulletins canbe found on the NPS National Register Publication page:https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/publications.htm

3The National Register and Survey Section coordinates architectural survey and National Registerprojects. For National Register purposes, program staff reviews and provides guidance on draft
nominations to the National Register of Historic Places and schedules qualifying nominations for
Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (MOACHP) meetings. Staff also assists
with evaluating historic resources to determine eligibility for listing in the National Register via
the Eligibility Assessment (EA) process. Due to limited resources, staff generally cannot write anomination or conduct research for a preparer. As such, program staff members strive toestablish a working relationship with the preparer so they have the tools necessary to complete anomination that meets the National Park Service’s (NPS) standards. The goal is to ensure anomination is as strong as possible, improving the chances it will be listed in the National
Register of Historic Places.

The National Register Process:See the introduction page concerning who can prepare a National Register nomination. Prior tothe completion of a National Register nomination, an Eligibility Assessment is strongly
recommended.
When the SHPO receives a National Register nomination, staff must review and provide
comments to the preparer within 45-60 days of receipt of a nomination per federal regulation 36
CFR Part 602. Generally this review revolves around the meeting dates of the Missouri Advisory
Council on Historic Preservation, or MOACHP3.
The MOACHP is a body of preservation professionals and laypersons appointed by the Governor
to review National Register nominations and provide input on preservation issues. To beconsidered for one of these meetings, the SHPO must receive a substantially complete draft of
the nomination by the established deadline. The submission deadlines are scheduled annually
and are available on the SHPO website.
Link to MOACHP meeting dates and submission deadlines:
https://mostateparks.com/page/85656/nominations-national-register
Once a submission deadline has passed, program staff will divide the nominations and assign a
primary reviewer to each project. Complex nominations may have more than one reviewer. The
primary reviewer will establish contact with the preparer and provide comments on theirnomination. Unless a nomination is nearly perfect, which is a rarity, a second draft will be
required by a specific deadline. The revised drafts are reviewed and comments are provided tothe preparers. If the nomination is considered sufficient it will be scheduled for the upcoming
MOACHP meeting.4 The topic of scheduling decisions is discussed in more detail below.
2

36 CFR 60 regulations are noted throughout this document. They can be found online at: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgibin/text-idx?SID=b36f494ab8c19284178b4c593eda2a8f&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title36/36cfr60_main_02.tpl
3
The Guide references the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as “MOACHP” or “Council”.
4
The topic of scheduling decisions is discussed in the subsection “How does the SHPO decide what is scheduled for
the MOACHP agenda?” below.

4

Shortly afterwards, copies of scheduled nominations are sent to members of the Advisory
Council. The MOACHP will have approximately 30 days to review the nominations prior to themeeting.
On the day of a MOACHP meeting, the preparer will give a brief (approximately 10 minutes)
PowerPoint or similar presentation to the Council on the property. The preparer will provide
SHPO staff with an electronic copy of the presentation at least one week prior to the meeting.
Immediately after the presentation, the Council votes on whether or not to approve thenomination to be forwarded to the National Park Service (NPS) in Washington D.C.
Alternatively, the Council may vote to table the nomination to a later meeting date.
Members of the MOACHP may have questions or provide suggestions and comments for
improving the nomination. If the Council approves the nomination, a final draft incorporating
any Council or remaining SHPO comments will be due to the SHPO approximately 30 days after
the MOACHP meeting.5 If the MOACHP does not approve the nomination, the preparer has theoption to appeal the decision as outlined in 36 CFR Part 60.12.
Once the SHPO has received a final nomination, program staff will check it for technicalcorrectness and then send it to the NPS. The NPS will list the nominated property in the National
Register, deny it, or return it for more information. Per federal regulations, the NPS has 45
business days to list the property in the National Register if approved. However, if the NPS
decides to deny or return the nomination, there is no set time limit on when the SHPO is notified
or when any comments from the NPS are provided to the SHPO. The SHPO has no control over
how long it may take the NPS to provide feedback. Please note, anyone can contact the NPS for
an update on their project but the NPS has requested any other correspondence from preparers bemade through the SHPO.6 Once the SHPO is notified of a decision, program staff will contact the
preparer with the NPS’s decision. If successfully listed, a certificate signed by the governor ismailed from the SHPO to the property owner (if a single site nomination) or to the mayor (if adistrict nomination). The entire National Register process, from the first submission to listing,
can take anywhere from six months to a year on average.

Because nominations are generally only scheduled for a MOACHP meeting if they are considered “NPS ready,”
the SHPO will forward a Council-approved nomination to the NPS, even if a post-MOACHP final is not submitted.
However, because Council and remaining SHPO comments may include guidance that would further strengthen thenomination, it is strongly encouraged to submit a final version for any nomination approved at a MOACHP meeting.
6
Per NPS email from Barbara Wyatt to NR Coordinators, 11/20/15
5

5

Diagram of Nomination Process

Missouri Standards for National Register Nomination Submissions
Every SHPO must minimally maintain standards for National Register nominations as outlinedby the National Park Service, but each SHPO may institute additional standards to meet theirindividual needs and priorities (36 CFR Part 60.6).
The SHPO will accept a draft nomination at any time, but in order for a nomination to beconsidered at a particular MOACHP meeting, a “complete” submission must be turned in by adesignated due date. This means the SHPO has the materials necessary to provide a thoroughreview of the nomination in time for the appointed meeting. While it does not guarantee a placeon the MOACHP meeting agenda, submitting a complete nomination is the first step in theofficial review process. For first time preparers, it may make sense to turn in early drafts for
SHPO input. Complete submissions take priority; however, staff always welcomes early drafts,
especially if a prior Eligibility Assessment has been completed.
Packaging
The National Register submission process is entirely digital at the Missouri SHPO; hard copy
materials are not accepted. Nominations and associated materials may be submitted to staff via
an online file sharing service. Contact staff for instructions.
Additionally, nomination materials may be submitted on disc (USB drives are not accepted).
When submitting a nomination, please send everything in one package. Mailing thesubmission in piecemeal can result in lost or misplaced materials. Do not e-mail the nominationor any other materials to the reviewer unless otherwise directed.
To be considered “complete” a submission must include the following components:
6

Initial Submission


















A complete National Register nomination form in Word-2016 readable format(http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/docs/10-900-MoRevisedNRforms.doc)
A complete cover document or “jacket”
A complete Section 7 with a summary, setting, clear exterior description, interior
description (if a single site nomination) and integrity subsections
A complete Section 8 with a summary, concise historic context, appropriate comparisons,a clear argument for significance and a conclusion
Sources are appropriately cited with footnotes (if there are issues with formatting contact
the SHPO)
A complete bibliography (sources for footnotes and figures must be included)
Text is original (does not contain cut and pasted material, see chapter on Writing)
Verbal Boundary Description and Justification sections are complete and accurate
A list of figures and photos (if figures are embedded note page numbers in figure log)
A site plan or district map showing contributing and non-contributing resources
A photo map showing the number, location and direction from which each photograph
was taken
A map of the nominated resource(s) including latitude/longitude coordinates, a North
arrow, and a scale (this map can be combined with the photo map only if it does notappear cluttered)
Current floor plans of at least the first floor (single site building nominations only. Please
note additional floor plans of other floors may be required depending on where
significant activities took place)
Digital photos in color, saved in TIF format and labeled per NPS standards(“MO_County_full name of nomination_0001” etc.). Photos must be taken within 12
months of a potential MOACHP meeting
The nominations may be submitted electronically. Contact staff for file sharing
instructions. Otherwise the nominations may be submitted on disc (do not email
submission materials). The MO SHPO does not accept hard copy National Register
products
See information below regarding requirements for district nominations

Due by the Revision Deadline
Exhibit A “Property Owners Sheet”, a list of property owners obtained from either
official land records or tax records no more than 90 days before the MOACHP meeting(for single site nominations, a physical address is also needed for mailing of the National
Register certificate once listed; P.O. boxes are not acceptable). See Appendix III for a
copy of Exhibit A.
o For districts, owner information will be provided in an Excel sheet following
specified instructions. The Excel sheet and associated instructions will be
provided to preparers of district nominations with comments on the first draft. See
Appendix V of this document for a copy of the instructions and Appendix VI for alook at the Excel template.
7

Exhibit B “Elected Officials Sheet”: Include the contact information for the Presiding
Commissioner of the County Commission and the Mayor if the property is located in acity or town. Provide just the County Commission information if the property is in a ruralor unincorporated area. See Appendix IV for a copy of Exhibit B.

These standards can also be found on the SHPO’s website:
https://mostateparks.com/page/85656/nominations-national-register
Later chapters in this document provide guidance on each of these components. A component is
considered complete when it is filled out in full. As an example, a draft nomination that contains
a Section 7 or 8 that is bullet pointed or appears to be a compilation of rough notes will not be
accepted. Likewise, if citations are missing from the narrative, it will also be considered
incomplete. If there are any questions about the submission standards, contact the SHPO wellbefore the deadline date.
If a nomination is received by the deadline and is not complete, it will not be reviewed for that
MOACHP meeting cycle. The preparer will be contacted and may submit nomination materials
for a later MOACHP meeting. To prevent this outcome, preparers are encouraged to submit
nominations before the deadline. If there are missing materials, the preparer will have theopportunity to submit them by the due date. There is also a checklist (see Appendix I) that can beutilized to make sure all of the materials are together.
In cases where there is a complete nomination, but the eligibility of a nominated property is notclear and cannot be easily addressed, the nomination will not be placed on the MOACHP
agenda. An explanation as to why the nomination is not being scheduled will be provided to the
preparer pursuant to 36 CFR Part 60.11(c). This is discussed in further detail below. To avoid
this outcome, the SHPO encourages the submission of an Eligibility Assessment before anomination is prepared (see next chapter).

Requirements for District Nominations:
Properties can be listed individually in the National Register, or they can be nominated as part ofa historic district. The National Park Service defines a district as a geographically definable area,
urban or rural, possessing a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings,
structures or objects united by past events or aesthetically by plan or physical development.7
More information on architectural survey can be found on our website:
https://mostateparks.com/page/86111/survey

7

NPS Bulletin 15, page 5. Definition from Washington State National Register District Guide, pg. 1

8

For Districts Under 75 Properties with No Prior Survey (survey must be current/accurate)Color images in digital format of each resource (and secondary resources as appropriate)not captured in the formal tiff images. Photos must be clear. Label the files by street
address. Please submit images on disc (jpeg format preferred).

Images are needed of resources not captured by formal tiff images or prior surveys (must be on
file at the SHPO) so staff can review the individual building descriptions in a nomination andevaluate their contributing status. The images do not have to be high quality but they must be
clear enough to discern building materials and details (wood vs. vinyl siding for example). A
photo showing more than one resource is permissible so long as each property is clearly
identifiable and can be compared with the Section 7 description. For example, a long streetscapephoto where only portions of the facades of the buildings are visible would not be acceptable,
but a single image capturing the full facades of three buildings would be. Even if a survey is on
file at the SHPO, additional images may be needed if there have been changes to the area since
the survey was conducted. For example, if the survey notes a property has wood siding but thedescription in the nomination states it has vinyl siding, a new image is needed for review
purposes. If more than 50% of the survey area has changed or if the survey did not account for
all resources, resurvey is recommended. Do not forget to include images of structures, sites, andobjects that are noted in the nomination. If all of the resources described herein are covered bytiff images or current survey data on file at the SHPO, additional images are not required.
Minimal Survey Requirements for Potential Districts with More Than 75 primary
properties:8
If there is a previous survey on file with the SHPO Notify the SHPO 90 days before submitting the nomination
 Ensure the survey reflects what the area looks like today. Some older surveys only
documented so-called “historic” properties at that time. Vacant lots, resources that lacked
integrity or those outside of a proposed period of significance may not have beenaccounted for. These types of surveys, while helpful, do not provide an accurate sense of
the built environment. For example, a 1985 survey may have only recorded historicbuildings over 50 years old at the time. By that reasoning any resource built after 1935
was not recorded. Likewise National Register standards evolve over time. In 1985, a
National Register nomination may not have had to account for vacant lots or parking lots
like they do today. Finally, resources change over time. A neighborhood may havechanged dramatically since the survey was conducted. If a substantial portion9 ofresources in a proposed National Register district are not accounted for and/or do
not accurately reflect the district, resurvey is required. If only a few10 properties havechanged or were unaccounted for in the survey, submit color images of these resources(see requirements above for districts under 75 properties).

8Note these are not the same as the professional requirements for Historic Preservation Fund (CLG Grants) fundedsurveys9
As each case is unique, please contact the SHPO for further guidance.
10
As each case is unique, please contact the SHPO for further guidance.

9





The survey must encompass the boundaries of the potential nominated district. If only afew properties were left out, include current images of the resources.
Provide a map of the potential National Register boundary
Provide a summary of the potential argument noting the level, area of significance, andperiod of significance of the proposed district

If no previous survey has been conducted Before the survey is completed, contact the SHPO for a survey number Prepare a SHPO-approved inventory form for each property that includes:11
o Property addresso Construction dateo Architectural style and/or typeo Number and type of secondary resources (such as garages, sheds, gazebos, etc.)
o Contributing status of both the primary resource and any secondary resourceso Historic information (if appropriate)o Builder or architect (if known)o Brief architectural description
 Map showing the survey boundary, potential National Register boundary and thecontributing status of each property. The map should be large enough in size so thatSHPO reviewers have no issue verifying its accuracy.
 A digital color photo of each property, secondary resources (as necessary), andstreetscapes (photos must be at least 1600x1200 pixels and saved in .jpg format)
 A digital report with the findings that includes:o Potential argument and area of significanceo Period of significanceo Number of contributing and non-contributing properties
o Boundary justification for the survey and potential National Register District12
 Survey materials are submitted to the SHPO in digital format on disc at least 90 days
before a nomination is submitted.
If a previous survey has been conducted but is not on file with the SHPO A copy of the survey must be turned in 90 days before a nomination. See above
information concerning the accuracy of survey materials.
 Provide a map of the potential National Register boundary Provide a summary of the potential argument noting the level, area of significance,and period of significance of the proposed district
 Survey materials are submitted to the SHPO in digital format on disc.
Link to SHPO architectural survey form: https://mostateparks.com/sites/mostateparks/files/7802125-f.pdf

11

Ensure survey information is accurate and uses consistent terminology.
To help justify the National Register boundary, the survey boundary should often be slightly larger than thepotential National Register district.
12

10

How does the SHPO decide what is scheduled for the MOACHP agenda?
Federal regulations state that, once a state review board approves a nomination, the SHPO shallsubmit the nomination to the NPS within 90 days (36 CFR 60.11 (e)). This means that, should
the MOACHP approve a nomination, the SHPO must send it to the Keeper at the National Park
Service, even if a final post-meeting draft does not come in. To avoid a potential rejection or
return, the SHPO wants to ensure the MOACHP and the NPS reviews the strongest nomination
possible. For this reason, nominations must be NPS-ready to be considered for a MOACHP
agenda. NPS-ready means that a nomination may have minor technical errors but would stand up
to NPS scrutiny as presented without a follow-up draft.
Appropriate documentation is a big factor in the decision making process. As noted above, acomplete nomination is required before a nomination is considered for a potential meeting. The
SHPO sometimes receives complete nominations that do not make a clear case for listing. For
instance, a nomination may list a lot of historical facts instead of including an argument or any
reason why the property is eligible (see chapter “Section 8”). Likewise a comparison to similar
properties may be missing, making it difficult to support the argument for the level ofsignificance. While a property’s history is certainly important, there must also be a discussion on
why the history is significant as it relates to the property. If this cannot be rectified by the second
draft deadline, the nomination will likely not be scheduled for the upcoming MOACHP agenda.
First drafts of nominations must have enough information to determine National Register
eligibility. If they do not, the nomination may not be considered for the associated MOACHP
meeting. Likewise, a nomination may not be considered if staff comments on the first draft are so
extensive that they could not reasonably be addressed by the revision deadline. In both of thesecases, a revised draft fully addressing staff comments may be submitted by the initial submission
deadline of the following MOACHP meeting.
On rare occasions, a complete nomination will contain a clear argument but the property simply
is not eligible for listing in the SHPO’s opinion. These are cases that no amount of time on thenomination would likely fix. Often, a lack of historic integrity is the culprit. As an example, acommercial building may have housed a very significant business to the community, but thebuilding has a large addition, new windows and siding. No matter the argument, the historic
integrity of the property has been compromised. In these instances, a nomination will not bescheduled. Please note, the SHPO assesses a property as-is. Even if there are plans to restore
the property to its historic appearance, determinations of eligibility cannot be made based upon
intentions. It is recommended to stay in contact with the SHPO when and if a rehabilitation
project takes place.
Staff decides what is scheduled pursuant to 36 CFR Part 60.11(c), which states:
If the nomination form appears to be adequately documented and if the property appears
to meet the National Register criteria for evaluation, the State Historic Preservation
11

Officer shall comply with the notification requirements in § 60.6 and schedule theproperty for presentation at the earliest possible State Review Board meeting. Schedulingshall be consistent with the State's established priorities for processing nominations. If thenomination form is adequately documented, but the property does not appear to meet
National Register criteria for evaluation, the State Historic Preservation Officer need notprocess the nomination, unless so requested by the Keeper pursuant to § 60.12.
Decisions are made via staff consensus. Should a preparer disagree with the SHPO’s decision to
not schedule a nomination for a particular MOACHP meeting, they may appeal. The appeals
process is outlined in 36 CFR Part 60.12. Depending on the circumstances, a preparer may also
resubmit the nomination to the SHPO for consideration of a later MOACHP meeting date. For
example, a revised draft may be submitted by the initial deadline for a later meeting whenchanging the area of significance or providing further documentation. However, if eligibility is aconcern, or other routes have been exhausted, an appeal may be the only option left.
Nominations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis; for more information please contact the
SHPO.

12

APPROACHING THE NR PROCESS
There are several important items to take into consideration before beginning the National
Register nomination process. Prior to submitting a National Register nomination submission, the
SHPO recommends preparers consider the following…
Eligibility Assessments:
While not mandatory, the SHPO strongly recommends the submission of an Eligibility
Assessment (EA) before the preparer completes a National Register nomination. The EA serves
as a means to determine if a property is a good candidate for the National Register program. It
consists of current photos and a simple form to record facts such as construction date, address,
and a brief history of a historic resource. Upon receipt of the EA, the SHPO has 30 days to makea recommendation to the preparer. Staff will provide an opinion that the property appears to beeligible, ineligible, or more information is required to make a decision. Determinations are basedon the National Register Criteria for Evaluation.
Eligibility Assessments also allow for the SHPO to provide advice for a potential National
Register nomination. Most importantly, the EA process substantially reduces the possibility thata nominated resource will be found ineligible for listing after the lengthy nomination writing
process, thus saving time for the preparer.
Please note an EA does not replace the nomination process. Even if the SHPO determines aproperty to be eligible, a complete National Register nomination must still be submitted. Whilesubmitting an EA is a helpful and highly recommended first step in determining if a property is agood fit for the National Register, a favorable determination at this stage does not guarantee
National Register listing.
For more information on Eligibility Assessments, including access to the required forms andinstructions on how to complete them, please visit the SHPO website at:https://mostateparks.com/page/85626/my-property-eligible-listing-national-register
Significance and Integrity:
In order for a historic resource to qualify for listing in the National Register, it must be
associated with an important historic context and possess integrity. Integrity is defined by the
NPS as the ability of a resource to convey its historic significance. The National Register
Bulletin 15, entitled “How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation,” is an
excellent resource for determining a resource’s area(s) of significance and integrity. Especiallyfor novice preparers, a review of this bulletin should be a priority during the preliminary phasesof the nomination process. See the chapter on completing Section 8 for further discussion ofsignificance.
13

Integrity13
In addition to a property possessing historic significance, it must also possess integrity to beeligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. There are seven components toconsider when assessing a building’s integrity: location, design, setting, materials, workmanship,
feeling, and association.

Location: Is the resource still in its original
location? If it has been moved, it is much more difficult tolist.
Design: This is the combination of elements thatcreate the style, form, space, structure and plan of a
resource. Significant non-historic alterations and additions
are something to keep in mind while assessing integrity ofdesign.

Setting: Is the relationship between the resource
and its natural and manmade surroundings still similar to theway it was during its period of significance?
Materials: A property must still possess importantbuilding materials from its period of significance. For
instance, vinyl siding placed on a 19th century home will
negatively affect the integrity.

Workmanship: Workmanship is the physicalmanifestation of the builders’ or laborers’ skill.
Feeling: Feeling is an abstract aspect of integritythat does not have clear boundaries. When taking into
consideration all of the building’s features and setting as awhole, does it evoke feelings related to its historicsignificance? Would someone from the property’s historic
period, if transported in time to today, be able to recognizeit?

Association: Association is the direct link between
an important historic event or person and a historic resource. Does the property stillretain features that convey its historic association?
A property has integrity or it does not. There are not “levels” of integrity. Integrity is theresult of the seven aspects mentioned above but, as each property is unique, there is no set

Image from page 45 of National Register Bulletin 15, “How to Apply the National Register Criteria for
Evaluation”, http://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins/nrb15/ , accessed October, 2014.
1314

formula for assessment. Some aspects may be more important than others depending on the
resource. For example, the “setting” aspect for a farmstead under Criterion A: Agriculture will
have a larger role than it would for a townhouse seeking significance for its style under Criterion
C.
Common Issues with Integrity:
The following is a list of common issues the SHPO has encountered when evaluating integrity: Attempting to make a case for integrity based upon future plans or materials/features that
may be intact but are currently obscured. The SHPO assesses properties as they
currently exist. Character defining features must be visible from the exterior at the timeof assessment. Uncovering a segment of modern siding to reveal historic material isgenerally not sufficient to comment on integrity. Enough of the historic material must be
visible for the property to be considered contributing/eligible as it sits. The SHPO cannot
comment on future actions such as removing modern materials or otherwise altering abuilding to “make” it eligible. The property owner assumes any risk of removal of nonhistoric materials or other alterations.
 Additions: Although less of an issue in district nominations, if an addition overwhelms aproperty, it can make it non-contributing. The NPS offers guidance on additions that may
be useful: NPS White paper on additions:
http://www.nps.gov/Nr/publications/guidance/NR_workshop_3-1109/White_paper_on_additions_4-09.doc
 Alterations are considered historic but are not within the period of significance. Integrity
must correspond to the time in which the property was significant. For example, Carrara
glass was added to a property in the 1930s, however, the period of significance only
extends to 1915. Even though the Carrara glass was added well over fifty years ago, it isoutside of the period of significance, thus it negatively impacts the integrity.
 Adding historic details: In an effort to compliment the historic feel of their main street, abusiness owner may add a decorative cornice and window surrounds to their otherwise
plain two-story commercial block building. There is no historic evidence that the building
ever had such decorative details. While it may make the building more attractive, thisdetailing creates a false sense of history. In some cases adding such detail can make aproperty ineligible for the National Register.
 Recreation vs. Restoration: Similar to the above case, a property owner adds historicdetailing to their two part commercial block building but this time has proof those details
were there in the past. If taken too far, this too could result in the property becoming
ineligible due to the aspect of “materials” as the property becomes more of a recreation
rather than an original historic resource. As overheard at a preservation conference“Integrity can potentially be revealed but it rarely, if ever, can be added.” Interiors: The interior spaces may not play as important a role for district or Criterion C
nominations. However, for Criteria A and B nominations, significance is generally tied to15

activities that took place inside the building, thus the retention of these spaces is often
vital to making a case for significance. This generally boils down to floor plan. The
retention of historic finishes is always a plus, but more importantly the space must be
retained. For example, if a property is significant due to its function as a warehouse,retention of large open spaces where historic activities took place will be important. If
that space was subdivided to serve as an office it may lack integrity, even if the exterior isunaltered. In other words, the interior no longer feels like a warehouse; its significant
function is no longer readable. Current floor plans are crucial for Criterion A and B
nominations and are a requirement for individual nominations regardless of the criteria
selected.

Research:
National Register nominations are inherently research-heavy documents that require planningand gathering relevant source material. Research is necessary to determine a property’s National
Register eligibility and complete the nomination form. Since some nomination preparers are nottrained historians or historic preservation consultants, the SHPO recommends utilizing the
National Register Bulletin entitled “Researching a Historic Property” to facilitate the research
process. Useful for all preparers, this document provides insight and recommendations forfinding data repositories, acquiring specific types of sources relevant to the particular nomination
and utilizing established historical research practices to extract meaningful information.
The “Researching a Historic Property” National Register Bulletin can be found at:https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB39-Complete.pdf
Some repositories that may provide information to the researcher are listed below:









Local library or county historical societyCounty tax assessors or recorder of deeds office
Missouri SHPO (https://mostateparks.com/shpo)
State Historical Society of Missouri (http://shs.umsystem.edu/index.shtml)
Missouri State Archives (http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/)
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of Missouri(https://dl.mospace.umsystem.edu/mu/islandora/object/mu%3A138690)
Missouri Historical Society (http://www.mohistory.org/)
Library of Congress (https://www.loc.gov/)

16

JacketThe Jacket, sometimes called the cover document, is the first 4-5 pages of a nomination andcontains information regarding the property’s address, preparer information and abbreviatedinformation regarding structural, historical and geographic information.
Section 1: Name of Property

Historic and other names should reflect the official or common name during the period ofsignificance. If the property is named after a person, list the last name first. Example: “Bartlett,John R., House.” When naming a historic district, be sure to use “traditional terms” for instance,“village, ranch, courthouse square, or townsite.” If preferred, more general terms can be used,such as “historic district or archeological district.”14 For example, “Long Ford Ferry Landing,”“Cooperstown Historic Industrial District,” or “Longswamp Townsite” are appropriate. Do not
randomly make up a name. If having difficulty with this section, please contact the SHPO. If the“Other names/site number” field is not used, type “N/A” in the blank. If the Other Name is thepreferred name, this can be noted on the line by adding “(preferred)” behind the name. Name ofrelated Multiple Property Listing refers to a Multiple Property Document Form, which is ahistorical context that has been approved by the Park Service. See the chapter on Multiple
Property Documentation Forms for more information. For a list of NPS approved MPDFs, pleasecontact the SHPO. If the property does not fall under the parameters of one of these documents,
mark “N/A” in the field.
Section 2: Location

The “Street & number” should include the physical address of the property. Post office boxes
should not be used. The tax assessor’s office can often help identify the address of a property. If
the property does not have an address, list its location as follows: “NE corner of Main and
14

National Register Bulletin 16A: How to Complete the National Register Registration Form. p 8.

17

Capital Streets” or “1 mile south of jct. Hill Road and HWY 73.” When listing the address for asmaller district use the exact addresses included or the blocks listed. Example: “125-205 1st St.
and 405 Main St” or “800 Block W 10th Ave.” For larger districts, use the bounding streets andlist the streets north, east, south and west. Example: “Roughly bounded by Green Lake, 1st, Mainand 5th Streets.”
Mark the “not for publication” box with an ‘x’ if the location of the property needs to be kept
confidential to protect it from vandalism or if the location is classified. This box is used mostfrequently for archaeological and defense properties. Otherwise, mark “N/A” in the box.
Mark the “vicinity” box with an ‘x’ if the property is rural in nature and not associated with atown or if the address is restricted. Otherwise, mark “N/A” in the box.
The “code” line refers to the three-digit number assigned to each county by the NPS. A key tothe codes can be found in Appendix II of NPS NR Bulletin 16A.
Sections 3 & 4: State/ Federal Agency Certification & National Park Service Certification

18

Sections 3 and 4 are enclosed together in a box and are for official use only; please leave these
sections blank.
Section 5: Classification

This section is broken up into topics. The first two, “Ownership of Property” and “Category of
Property”, are relatively self-explanatory and are described thoroughly in Bulletin 16A. If there
are still questions after consulting the Bulletin, please contact the SHPO staff.
“Number of Resources within Property” is often considered one of the more confusing fields
to complete. Generally, an individual property’s boundaries are defined by any land surrounding
the resource in which the tax assessor and/ or county recorder considers to comprise the parcel.
Sites, objects, structures, and buildings within these boundaries and their contributing status areaccounted for in this field. For example, if a nominated property’s boundary includes a historic
house, a historic garage that has been substantially altered, and a modern pool built outside theperiod of significance, the resource count would read as “1” contributing building for the house,“1” non-contributing building for the garage due to a lack of historic integrity, and “1” noncontributing structure for the pool built outside the period of significance. Movable properties
like doghouses or a shed without a foundation need not be counted. Likewise, small objects or
structures, like mailboxes and ground plaques, generally do not need to be included in the count.
Please note that while such resources may not be officially counted, they may merit discussion in
the Section 7 narrative as part of the setting description. Please contact the SHPO if there are any
questions.
Common errors in this section include forgetting to account for vacant lots or parking lots.
Appendix II of this document provides NPS guidance on this subject. Sites such as parks ordesigned landscapes are also easy to overlook and may include resources within them that must
be individually counted. Please note that, although sites like empty lots, gardens, and parks must
be individually described in the Section 7 description and accounted for on maps, they are only
19

included in the resource count if they contribute to a property. Do not count additions separately.
If one can walk through portions of a property without going outside it usually is considered one
building. The exception is if properties were historically separate and later connected; they canbe counted separately but must all be within the nomination boundary. Small “connectors” mayor may not impact the integrity of a property. For example, it is not uncommon in large cities toincorporate walkways between buildings. The NPS does not currently offer clear guidance on
this issue, so it is strongly recommended to contact the SHPO for guidance. When counting
resources, consult both current tax/property maps and historic maps from the period ofsignificance, to determine how resources in the district should be counted. Page 17 of Bulletin
16A provides useful tips for counting resources. The resources noted in this field must match theresource counts noted in both the Section 7 and 8 summaries.
The last blank, “Number of contributing resources previously listed on the National
Register,” is used for district nominations, amendments, or boundary changes where someresources may have been previously listed in the National Register. Simply indicate the numberof previously listed resources in the blank. If there are listed properties, they must be noted at
the beginning of the Section 7 narrative. It is recommended to do this via a table if thenomination is for a boundary increase or additional documentation. Said table would noteresource type (building, structure, object, site) and contributing status for the previously listed
resources. Please note that listed properties cannot be included in thecontributing/noncontributing count in the field above. If no resources within the nomination
have been previously listed, write “N/A” in the blank.
Section 6: Function or Use

This section is used to catalogue the use of the resource(s) both in its present status and its
historic application. For a complete list of categories and subcategories, see Bulletin 16A, pages
18-23. Under “Historic Functions” only enter functions associated with contributing resources.
For “Current Functions” enter functions for both contributing and non-contributing resources.
When listing the functions, be sure to include only one function use per line. Format the entries
with the category followed by subcategory. Example: “Commerce/Trade: business” or “Religion:20

religious facility.” Be consistent with formatting the entries and use the same formatting in
Section 7 that is used for the blanks in Section 6. Keep in mind, function or use will notnecessarily be the same as the area of significance, noted in Section 8. For instance, eventhough a church’s function may be “Religion: religious facility,” the likelihood of it being
significant for “Religion” is quite rare. See Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for more information.
Section 7: Description

This section is used to catalogue a property’s architectural style and the building materials used.
For a complete list of categories and subcategories see Bulletin 16A, pages 24-27. Whencompleting the “Architectural Classification” and “Materials” fields, include only one item
per line. Format the entries with the category and, if applicable, followed by a subcategory.
Example: “Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals/ Tudor Revival” or “Modern Movement/
Moderne.” It may be appropriate to list only the category if the property is eclectic or nondescriptive in style. The same applies for listing materials. When completing the materials list,
be sure to fill out each subheading: “foundation,” “walls” and “roof.” For a district list the majorbuilding materials visible throughout the district, beginning with the most prevalent. Use thesame formatting in Section 7 that is used for the blanks in Section 6. See the Section 7 chapter ofthis document for more information.
Finally, mark the “Narrative description on continuation pages” box with an “x.”Section 8: Statement of SignificanceThis section has more variables than other sections of the Jacket and contains key informationfor establishing the eligibility of the nominated resources. The first part, “Applicable National
Register Criteria,” includes a brief description of the four criteria that properties may be
nominated under for listing on the National Register. For more in-depth information on criteria
and areas of significance, see Bulletin 15. Under this subheading, one or more criteria (A, B, C orD) must be selected. This selection must match the criteria in the continuation sheets.
21

The list marked “Criteria Considerations” is used when the resource(s) being nominated would
not normally be eligible for inclusion in the National Register, but because of a special
consideration, is eligible for listing. Select all that apply to the nominated property. If none of thecriteria considerations apply, leave this section blank. For districts, it is only necessary to selectthe options if the criteria considerations apply to the district as a whole or to a large part of the
district. For more specific guidance about applying criteria considerations, see Bulletin 15.

The second column of Section 8 begins with an area for listing “Areas of Significance.” A list of
the categories and subcategories with brief descriptions of the areas of significance can be foundin Bulletin 16A, pages 38-41. This section should match the narrative in the Section 8
continuation sheets.
Additional categories not published in National Register Bulletins 15 or 16A:
The NPS added additional subcategories under Ethnic Heritage and Social History in March
2021. The following table is from correspondence from the NPS to SHPOs. It is unclear when22

NR Bulletin 16A or 15 will be updated to reflect this information but these subcategories are
currently in effect.15

15

Current Area of SignificanceCategory
Ethnic Heritage-Asian

Additional
Subcategories
CambodianChinese
Filipino
Hmong
IndianIndonesian
Japanese
KoreanLaotian
Thai
Vietnamese

Ethnic Heritage-European

AlbanianAustrianBasqueCroatian
Czech
DanishDutch
EnglishFinnishFrenchGerman
Greek
Hungarian
Irish
ItalianLithuanian
Luxembourgian
NorwegianPolishPortuguese
RussianScandinavian
ScottishSpanishSwedishSwiss
TurkishFrom “March 2021 National Register E-Blasts” emailed to SHPOs on March 26, 2021.

23

Ukrainian
Welsh
Ethnic Heritage-Hispanic

Caribbean
Central American
Cuban
Dominican
MexicanPuerto Rican
South American

Ethnic Heritage-Pacific Islander

GuamianChamorro
Native Hawaiian
SamoanSocial History

Civil Rights
Disability History
Labor History
LGBTQ History
Traditional
Cultural History16
Women’s History“Period of Significance” is the next field of the jacket to consider. This will be a single year or a
range of years in which the resource(s) being nominated were significant. Please note it isacceptable to have more than one period of significance, especially if there is more than one
criterion selected. If the periods overlap, combine and enter them as one period of significance.
The rationale behind the selection of the period of significance must be explained in the Section
8 summary and narrative and must match the dates on the jacket. The beginning of the period ofsignificance of a building is often, but not always, the construction date. The end of the period ofsignificance should reflect the end of the event for which the resource is significant. Remember,continued use does not equal significance. Likewise, the period of significance cannot begin
before the nominated resource was built or began serving the function for which it isconsidered significant. See the chapter on Section 8 for a more thorough discussion of how to
select the period of significance.
This topic is further outlined in Bulletin 16A, page 42. If you still have questions after consulting
these resources, contact the SHPO for further guidance.

16

Ibid -“It is anticipated that this subcategory [Traditional Cultural History] will be used to reflect thenomination of traditional cultural places or TCPs.”

24

The blank for “Significant Dates” is intended to note the year or years in which significant
defining events occurred within the period of significance. See Chapter on Section 8 for more
information. Please put one date per line or if there are no significant dates, mark “N/A” in theblank.
Remember, all significant dates must fall within the period of significance and must be
explained in the Section 8 Summary and Narrative in the continuation sheets.
“Significant Person” should be marked “N/A,” unless the property is being nominated underCriterion B. If the nomination is listed under Criterion B, fill out the blank with the name of thesignificant person starting with the last name. Example: “Washington, John E.”
The line for “Cultural Affiliation” should be filled out with “N/A,” unless the resource is being
listed under Criterion D. If the nomination is listed under Criterion D, use the commonly
accepted term that applies to the cultural group.
Entries in the “Architect/ Builder” line should be entered last name first. If known, the architector firm which designed the resource should be listed first. On the following line(s), list thebuilder(s). If the architect or builders are not known write “Unknown”, or if the field does not
apply, mark “N/A” on the line.
The last box in Section 8 of the jacket is the “Narrative description on continuation pages”
box. Mark it with an “x”.
Section 9: Major Bibliographic References

Section 9 is composed of two check lists. The first, “Previous documentation on file (NPS),” isused to note documentation that is on file at the National Park Service, like an application forfederal tax credits, previous National Register and Landmarks designation, or a Historic
American Building Survey (HABS). Leave this column blank if the options are not applicable. A
common mistake is leaving this section blank when a Federal Part I tax credit application for thenominated property has been submitted to the National Park Service. In this case, the first option,“preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67 has been requested)”, should
be marked. Do not mark this section if the additional data is not on file at the National Park
25

Service. For example, an architectural survey that is on file only at the SHPO would not be notedin this column. The second column, “Primary location of additional data”, is used to markwhere data cited in the document can be found. The State Historic Preservation Office will be thefacility that stores information regarding the nomination, so that line should always be marked
with an “x”.
Section 10: Geographical Information

The first blank in Section 10, “Acreage of Property,” should be completed to the nearest tenthof an acre. Example: “1.5 acres.” If the property is less than an acre, write “less than one acre” inthe field.
The next two parts of Section 10 are for coordinates. The Missouri SHPO only accepts
Longitude/Latitude Coordinates; leave the UTM reference blank. For more information
regarding coordinate systems, please see the chapter on maps. Districts less than 10 acres are
only required to have one coordinate noted. For district boundaries larger than 10 acres, be sure
to list the coordinates for each corner in the district. Only four blanks for coordinates areavailable in this section. If more than four points need to be recorded, list them on a continuation
sheet under Section 10. Ensure all coordinates are correct, numbered or lettered, and correspondto points on the district boundary map. Ideally, there should be no more than 10 coordinates. If
the nomination requires more coordinates, please contact the SHPO for guidance.
The last items required in this section are the “Verbal Boundary Description” and “Boundary
Justification.” These should be completed on a continuation page for Section 10 after theSection 9 Bibliography and are discussed further below.

26Section 11: Form Prepared By

This is the section where the information about the preparer should go on the form. Please keep
in mind that the physical and email addresses submitted in this section are the ones where
correspondence will be sent. The default method of communication for SHPO-preparercommunications is email. If this is not the preferred method, please notify the project’s assigned
SHPO reviewer. If there are multiple preparers, please note them on the “name/title” field if they
will fit. Note which preparer is the primary contact. For example, “Nancy Drew (primary), John
Doe, and Jane Smith”. Nancy’s contact information would be used to complete the rest item 11.
If it is not possible to include the name of the authors on the name/title field, include the contact
information for the primary contact and the rest can be noted on a continuation page. For
example, “Nancy Drew (primary), see continuation page for full list.” After the Section 10
verbal boundary description and justification continuation page, note the full list of preparers
under a Section 11 heading.
Special note about draft nominations written by other authors: National Registernominations are public documents. So long as credit is given (please see the chapter on Writing
for SHPO’s policy on plagiarism), a nomination can be edited by others in certain circumstances.
If a draft nomination was originally written by a different preparer, their names must stay on thenomination if any of the material from that draft is used. This most often occurs in cases where anomination was never finalized/listed and another preparer is seeking to finish the nomination. In
this case the original preparer’s name and the year they worked on it would be noted in the“Name/Title” field. For example, Jill Adams started a nomination for a property in 2008 but
dropped it because her client changed their mind. Years later a new owner bought the building
and hires Vanessa Chan to finish the nomination in 2014. Since the original nomination contains
useful information, Vanessa plans to keep it in the nomination. Thus the Name/Title field would
read: “Jill Adams, original author, 2008: Vanessa Chan, current author, 2014.” Vanessa’s
contact information would be noted on the organization and contact fields, as she is the current
contact. This step is unnecessary if the nomination is completely re-written from scratch anddoes not use any of the original author’s work.

27

Photos and Figures

This section is a catch-all for visual documentation: owner information, photos and maps.
Mapping and photo standards are discussed in chapters further below.

Please fill out the “Photo Log” section completely. Immediately following the information fields
is a sentence that calls for the “description of photographs and number.” This list should be typed
in the blank space following the photo log block. The log should include the photo number,
identification of photo composition and direction the photo was taken. The sequence of photos in
the photo log should match the labels on the photographs and any digital images. For more
information about labeling photos and the SHPO photo standards, see the chapter on
photography. Any photo mentioned in the log should be referenced somewhere in the nomination(usually Section 7). If it cannot be referenced in the narrative, the photo is likely not needed.
Examples: 1 of 5: East Elevation of McKay House. View N
7 of 10: West side 500 block of 25th Street. View SW.
28

Following the Photo Log is the “Figure Log,” which should be completed in the same way as
the Photo Log. Figures should include a site plan, photo map, current floor plans for single site
nominations or a district map, and any other images that may assist in illustrating points from thenomination, such as historic photos. These can be embedded in the text or included oncontinuation pages after Section 10 (or Section 11 if applicable) of the nomination in a section
called “Figures.” Please remember, when determining the best method of inclusion (embedded oron continuation pages), the figures should be clear and sized appropriately so that importantdetails can be discerned but not so large as to unreasonably increase the file size of the entire
document.17 If figures are embedded, they should be formatted with text wrapping the image,
sized to fit within the margin, and captioned to correspond to the Figures Log. Figures should benumbered, included in the log, and placed in the narrative in the order they are referenced in the
text. Additionally, if embedding figures, list the page of the nomination that the figure isembedded on in the Figures Log. Be sure to include in the figure caption and in the bibliography
a citation for the source used for a figure. (Example caption: “Figure 5: Carriage house c.1890.
Missouri Historical Society. Barrett Collection.”)HEADINGS:

The headings on the Jacket begin on page 2 above Section 5: Classification. For “Name of theProperty” use the historic or preferred name written in Section 1 of the Jacket. If the name isespecially long, it may be necessary to use an edited version. Be sure to use the nameconsistently in the headings. For the “County and State” field, write out the name of the county

17

Circumstances may vary depending on the project but, ideally, a National Register nomination Word document
would be 25 MB or less. This recommendation is simply guidance; neither the NPS nor the Missouri SHPO has arequirement concerning document size

29and the state. For example, “Ralls County, Missouri” would be the correct way to complete thisfield instead of “Ralls Co. MO”.

The headings on the continuation pages begin on Section 7 page 1. As with the jacket headings
make sure the “Name of Property” matches the jacket and the other headings, and the “County
and State” field is completely written out. If using a Multiple Property Document Form
(MPDF) note the name of the MPDF in the “Name of multiple listing (if applicable)” field.
Make sure it matches the name of the MPDF in Section 1 of the jacket. If the nomination is not
utilizing a MPDF write “N/A” in the field.
Starting on page 1 of Section 7 the page numbers must be continuous throughout the nomination.
Do not start the page numbers over in Section 8. The most common error with the headings isthe section number staying fixed between sections. This problem is greatly reduced if using theform available on the Missouri SHPO website, however, if this issue occurs, please contact the
SHPO office for assistance.

30Section 7
This section of the guide will cover a few of the basics on completing Section 7 and discuss
some of the issues that are frequently encountered during nomination review. This chapter
focuses on nominations written for single properties or districts comprised of buildings, as these
are the most common type of nomination in Missouri. Section 7 must include a summary andthe following subsections: setting; exterior description (for all sides of the property if an
individual nomination or individual primary façade descriptions for a district); interior
description (for individually nominated resources); and integrity. Please note, nominations forother property types, such as structures, objects, and sites, must also be thoroughly described in
Section 7 and should contain the following subsections: Summary, Setting, Resource
Description, and Integrity. Contact the SHPO for good examples and/or further guidance on
nominating said property types.
Summary
Ensure that the Section 7 Summary contains:











Address (include city, county, and state)
A summary of the character-defining features of the resource in addition to general
attributes such as cladding, number of stories, roof pitch, and plan shape for single
property nominations. For districts, this may include the type, styles, and typicalconstruction dates of resources within the nominated boundary.
A list of significant features or spaces. These are features that directly relate to the area ofsignificance. Interior spaces and/or layout should be considered for Criteria A, B, andsome justifications under Criterion C. For example, open interior spaces would be
important for a factory nominated under Criterion A in relation to manufacturing. These
open spaces are likewise a character-defining feature under Criterion C: Architecture if
said factory is also a significant example of the daylight factory property type. Regardlessof the area of significance, exterior features of some kind are typically consideredsignificant such as fenestration patterns, form, cladding, etc. Specific exterior
characteristics can also be significant under a Criterion C justification related to style. A
mansard roof will be an important feature for a property that is eligible because it is an
excellent example of the Second Empire style.
The date(s) of construction or, for a district, the period of construction
Number of contributing and non-contributing buildings, structures, objects and sites. For
single site nominations, clarify what secondary resources are by name (one noncontributing building: a modern garage). The totals should match Section 5 of the jacket
Dates of major alterations
A statement about integrity
31Setting
After the summary, for both district and single site nominations, include a subsection about
the property or district’s environment under a subheading titled “Setting”. Note the contextual
location (northwest part of town, for example) and describe the surrounding area outside of theboundary. Is it rural, residential, industrial, or commercial? Does the area contain a lot of modern
infill or vacant lots? Has it remained stable over time? Also describe the setting within theboundary. For single property nominations consider the following questions: If there are
outbuildings, what is the spatial relationship to the primary resource? What is the topography
like? Is it a grassy lawn or a designed landscape? Does it include a paved parking lot and/or
driveway? Is there a fence or a ditch? Does it include public works like sidewalks, curbing,retaining walls, or any other resource at the periphery of the boundary? Is the sidewalk historic?
For districts, what is the typical setback? Are there lawns, parks, parking lots, and/or sidewalks?
These questions are extremely important when considering a property or district’s context,
integrity, and boundary. They are especially important when considering the resource count. For
example, a school’s paved playground may be counted as a contributing structure or, if it’sunpaved, a contributing site. Even for features that are too small to include in the resource count,
it is useful to note if they appear to be historic or not. These could include drinking fountains or
fencing within a park. Please reference the figure for the contextual map (required for all
nominations) along with any photos that may help illustrate the property’s setting.
Architectural Descriptions
The architectural description is the most important component of Section 7; a clear and logicaldescription of the building’s interior and exterior is paramount. National Register Bulletin 16A
does an excellent job explaining the architectural description writing process and guidelines fordescribing properties. However, the information below is designed to supplement the bulletin
and provide suggestions to address common issues.








Start with a brief overall description of the resource. Do not forget basic details like thenumber of stories, exterior cladding, roof and plan shape.
The in-depth description should follow a consistent approach, such as describing abuilding’s exterior one elevation at a time, one floor at a time and from left to right. For
single site nominations, it’s recommended a subsection be included for each elevation.
A good architectural description will transition seamlessly throughout and be easy tofollow.
Photographs must be tied into the architectural description throughout Section 7. For
example, if a feature being described is visible in a photograph, note that photo inparentheses in the text: “(Photo 1)”.
While writing, ask “Would the description provided be sufficient for someone to identify
that building on the block without seeing any photographs?”
32











Differentiate between historic and non-historic features. Architectural descriptions must
include discussion of any changes to the building, such as additions or alterations, andwhen the changes occurred.
When describing windows, it is important to note the configuration, identify the type,division, construction material, number, location, and if they are original, historic, or
replacement.
Every resource noted in Section 5 of the jacket must be noted in the Section 7 summaryand described with its own subheading in the Section 7 narrative. This includes any noncontributing properties. See the “District” subsection below for more information aboutsubheadings and what information to include in the description.
In addition to the Section 7 Summary, ensure significant spaces and features are
discussed in the narrative. These are features that are directly tied to the area ofsignificance. Further examples to those noted above, half-timbering could be a significant
feature for a property that is eligible because it is an excellent example of Tudor Revival
architecture. As noted, interior spaces tend to be of higher importance in Criterion A
areas of significance. For example, a lab could be a significant space for a building that is
nominated under Criterion A: Science. Likewise, an office where a significant person did
their work could be an important space for a Criterion B justification. Circulation spaces
such as corridors could be important feature for a property type justification.
See chapter related to the Jacket about counting resources.

Interior Description and Floor Plans
The interior architectural description should utilize the same logic and system as the exterior
description. Since current floor plans are required for single building nominations, these should
be tied into the narrative in the same way as the photographs for the exterior architecturaldescription.






Floor plans are generally not required for district nominations.
For individual building nominations, current floor plans are required for at least the mainlevel of the property; however, additional plans may be needed depending on where
significant activities took place. If significant activities took place on more than one
floor, floor plans of additional levels must be submitted.
Floor plans are also typically used to key in the photos. For more information, see the
Photo Maps section for an example.
If available, historic floor plans are extremely helpful to include for comparison purposes
if they are clear. However, they may only be used as the “current floor plan” if they
accurately reflect the property as it sits today. In these instances add a note that the floor
plan is accurate in the figure caption.

33







Identify additions by date in a figure (see example below), floor plan, or the site map(additional example in the mapping chapter)
Hand drawn floor plans are acceptable, provided that they are neatly drawn.
Include a directional arrow and a scale, or note if the plans are not to scale.
They must be clear and easy to read.
Do not forget to tie floor plans into the Section 7 Interior Description

Example of a Figure Showing Location and Dates of Additions18

18

Screenshot from Allen, Michael. “Standard Stamping Company Factory”, National Register Nomination, 2020.

34

Floor Plan Example19

Section 7 Single Building Examples
The following nominations contain good Section 7 examples. They can be viewed by visiting
the corresponding links.
The Perry County Courthouse in Perryville, Perry County:
https://mostateparks.com/sites/mostateparks/files/Perry%20Co.%20Courthouse.pdf
The Buchanan, Lucius P. Residence in Joplin, Jasper County:
https://mostateparks.com/page/84686/jasper-county-national-register-listings

19

Screenshot from Woodcox, Cole. “Sojourners Club”, National Register Nomination, 2014.

35

Districts
Individual Resource Description Requirements for Districts
Organize the properties by street alphabetically in numerical order, smallest number to largest.
Numbered streets would come first. If there is a direction associated with the street name (North,South, East, West) it would be organized alphabetically within that street. For example 100 E
6th would come before 100 W 6th, likewise N Short Ave addresses would come before S Short
Ave addresses.
Section 7 of district nominations must contain a heading for each resource in the district. Do notforget to account for structures, sites, and objects that are included in the resource count, as wellas “non-contributing” sites (described but not counted, see below for more information). The
heading will contain:







ID number for each resource in the district boundary (1., 2., 3., etc.). This is very helpful
for finding specific properties in large district nominations.
Street address
Contributing or non-contributing status. In the header, put “Contributing”, “NonContributing”, or “Previously Listed” for all resources counted in the jacket.
Date of construction
If applicable, include the name of the property in the header if it has a specific name.
The area below this heading will then contain the architectural description. See example
below.
o If a building or outbuilding is non-contributing in a district nomination, thedescription for that resource should state why that building is non-contributing.
For instance, was it recently built or does it have integrity issues?
o Double check that the contributing status for properties on the district map
matches the narrative of Section 7 and corresponds with Section 5 of the jacket.

36

Examples for District Nomination Section20

Sources for Examples: Upper: Wolfenbarger, Deon. “The Elm Historic District”, Clay County, National Registerof Historic Places Nomination Form, 2014. p 8.
Lower: Josse, Lynn. “Dutchtown South Historic District”, St. Louis [Independent City], National Register ofHistoric Places Nomination Form, 2015. p 152
Following page: Staff example
20

37

A special note about describing a site
Contributing sites, such as a designed landscape, would be included in the resource count in thejacket and would have an individual description. However, due to the way the NPS counts
resources (NR Bulletin 16A page 17), so called “non-contributing” sites must be described but
are not included in the resource count. In this case note that it is “(described but not counted)” as
pictured in the example below. Other guidance related to describing a site can be found in NR
Bulletins 18 and 30 for designed and rural historic landscapes respectively.

21. 106-108 Maple St.

Vacant Lot

Non-contributing Site (described but not counted)(2012)

Photo: 7

This grassy vacant lot was once occupied by a two-part commercial
block building (constructed circa 1905) that was demolished in 2012. It
remains undeveloped and does not contribute to the historic context of the
district.

Integrity
To adequately cover the topic of integrity, Section 7 should have its own “Integrity” subsection
where all seven aspects of integrity are discussed. Wherever a resource’s integrity has been
compromised, it must be stated. While there may be different variances in the aspects that resultin historic integrity, there are no levels of integrity; a resource either possesses it or it does not.
See the chapter “How to Approach the NR Process” for further discussion of integrity.
Resource-Specific Nominations
It is important to note that some property types necessitate a different approach when writing a
National Register nomination, especially when it comes to counting resources and mapping. For
example, landscape nominations have unique mapping and description requirements. The NPS
provides several bulletins that offer technical assistance when completing a nomination form.
This includes, but is not limited to, guidance for battlefields, properties related to significant
persons, cemeteries, designed landscapes, rural landscapes, and mining properties.
Link to NPS Bulletins: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/publications.htm

38Section 8
Section 8 is often considered the most important section of a nomination. It describes why aproperty is eligible for the National Register and provides a history by which to evaluate its
significance. This section has three main parts: the summary, narrative, and conclusion.
Summary:
When revisiting a nomination, the Section 8 Summary is typically the go-to source. It contains
the main points about the nominated property or district. The summary should include the nameof the property, its location (address, city, county, state), the criteria and area of significance21,
the level of significance (local, state, national), the period of significance and a justification for
it. Significant dates and criteria considerations will also be discussed in this section. Be sure theinformation on the jacket is consistent with information provided here. If the nomination is using
a Multiple Property Document Form (MPDF), please include it in the summary noting what
context (Section E) and property type (Section F) the nomination is utilizing from the MPDF.
The summary will include the concise reason why a property is eligible. In most cases it will beless than a page in length. Consider this a kind of outline (in paragraph form) of what you will
elaborate on in the rest of Section 8. The summary from the Will Mayfield College Campus
nomination provides a good example of a strong Section 8 Summary.22

Summary
The Will Mayfield College Campus, 207 Mayfield Dr., Marble Hill, Bollinger County,
Missouri is locally significant under National Register of Historic Places Criteria A in thearea of EDUCATION. Established in 1878 by Drs. William H. Mayfield and H.J. Smith,
the private high school/preparatory school and junior college serviced Bollinger andsurrounding counties. The school emphasized academic courses for high school
students, religious education, and teacher training. The two buildings on campus
include the earliest purpose-built college building (Administration Building) initiallyconstructed in 1884. Attendance at the college peaked in the 1920s, encouraged by abuilding campaign that culminated in the construction of the Arts & Science Building(1924-27) and additions to the Administration Building (1909 and 1924-25). Architect L.
Baylor Pendleton was responsible for the design of the Arts & Science Building andthe 1920s additions to the original campus building. These buildings represent the full
spectrum of the school’s educational influence as a rural college. The period ofsignificance is 1884 to 1934, the date of construction of the Administration Building
through the year the school closed its doors.

New areas of significance subcategories were added by the NPS in March of 2021. They are discussed in “Jacket”
chapter above.
22
Example Source: Patterson, Tiffany. “Mayfield, Will College Campus” Bollinger County, Missouri,
National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form, 2013. p. 4
21

39

Narrative:
The narrative provides the historic information by which to evaluate the significance of aproperty and an argument as to why the property is eligible. This generally begins with a historyof the property location. For a district, the narrative will provide a discussion on the developmentof the area within the boundary, including a brief justification of the boundary itself (a formalboundary justification will be included later in Section 10).
Although there will be exceptions, in general, the history and context in Section 8 should bein chronological order. Avoid jumping around the timeline as it can create confusion for
the reader.
Documentation
When approaching this section, take care to be concise but thorough with documentation. For
instance, if nominating a commercial property in a small town, a brief history of the town inrelation to how the nominated property came to be established would be appropriate. An in-depth
discussion on the flour mill down the street or a lengthy biographical subsection about thefounding fathers would not be relevant. Keep the period of significance in mind. If the area ofsignificance is Commerce with a period of significance of 1920 to1945 and the town wasestablished in 1870, it is not necessary to include pre-settlement information. What is needed isan understanding of the commercial history of the community. Some information before theperiod of significance is necessary to set the stage, but this generally falls within a 10-20 year
period depending upon the argument. The history of the property should stay as specific to thenominated building(s) as possible. When providing comments to a National Register preparer,
staff often cautions against “chasing white rabbits” (see General Tips) or pursuing areas ofhistoric information that are not pertinent to the eligibility of a building. Including a lot ofgenealogical information is a prime example of this.
Providing too little information is just as detrimental. Does the narrative provide enough context
so someone not familiar with the subject has a clear understanding of why the building or districtis important? Simply stating a district represents a change in a community’s development
patterns by itself is not enough to make a case for listing. This statement must be supported via a
discussion on the community’s growth.
The focus of a nomination’s historic context will be within the period of significance. That said it
is a good idea to briefly note a property’s history after the period of significance as this helps
justify the selection of the period. The period of significance and significant dates are discussed
in more detail below. While it is acceptable to note present or future plans of a nominatedproperty, it’s important to keep this information brief so as not to distract the reader as to why
the property is National Register eligible. Future plans may fall through and, as stated in aprevious chapter, properties are assessed as they currently sit.

40Subsections
It’s strongly suggested that each area of significance under which a district or property isnominated have its own subsection. This is a good way to help focus the document. For example,
the narrative may have a subsection for an architect or builder for a Criterion C Architecture
nomination. Again, keep biographical information brief. In the case of an architect, what isneeded is information about their work to understand the significance of the building in question
as opposed to a lengthy life history.
Consistency
When writing the narrative, keep the information provided in the Section 8 Summary squarely inmind. If it is mentioned in the summary, it should be further expanded upon in the
narrative. From time to time, staff sees information in a Section 8 Summary and it is nevermentioned again. The information in the summary must be supported by the historic context andits significance argued for in the narrative. The context and argument are the key portions of thenarrative and will take center stage. Since this is the case, they are described in more detailbelow.
ComparisonsComparisons with similar properties are often necessary to make a case the property issignificant within its selected level of significance (local, state, national). This is especially true
for architectural significance, but most nominations will include a comparison of some sort
regardless of criteria. In order to understand a resource’s significance, it often has to be measured
against other properties of similar design or purpose. For example, if a city has many Second
Empire style homes, it must be explained why the specific Second Empire style property being
nominated is significant for architecture. More than one example can be eligible for listing.
However, the nomination must justify why the nominated property is a significant example.
Comparisons are often a key player in making this argument. Make sure the comparisons areappropriate. Comparing an industrial structure to a residential home is not likely to provide agood basis for analysis. Conversely, relying too much on similar properties that were previously
listed can be detrimental as each nomination provides an argument specific to that resource (see“General Tips” below for more information). A nominated district or property must stand on its
own merit. Finally, avoid comparisons that are too narrow in scope. If a historic laundry businessis nominated under Criterion C because it is a great local example of Streamline Moderne
architecture, it would be appropriate to compare it to other commercial properties. Comparing it
to other laundry businesses only, however, would be too narrow a context to evaluate
significance.
Conclusion
Section 8 will conclude by reiterating the argument noted in the Summary paragraph and historiccontext discussed in the narrative. Conclusions are generally less than a few paragraphs but are anice way to tie everything together. The Section 8 Conclusion from the Sojourners Club41

nomination in Kirksville, Adair County, nominated under Criteria A and C in the areas of Social
History and Architecture provides a nice synopsis of the nomination.23

CONCLUSIONThe Sojourners Club looks today much as it did when Irwin Dunbar designed it in 1916.
Despite changes to the veranda, balustrade and roofing materials, this historic building
provides one of the few local examples of Prairie School style. And it is a good exampleof early-twentieth century clubhouse architecture in Kirksville. Even though it was
located near the middle of a block, the Sojourners Club was designed to be afreestanding building with narrow, open space around it; this necessitated visible
detailing on all sides. Unlike the surrounding two-part commercial blocks with party
walls and ornamentation restricted to one or two facades, the Sojourners Club exhibits
distinguishing stylistic components on each of its four elevations.
What is more, the clubhouse has robust connections with local social history. The
nominated property is associated with leading women, their philanthropies andaspects of the Women’s Movement. It housed an organization focused on thedevelopment of women’s intellectual, cultural, social, domestic and leadership skills
and on civic engagement. For over seventy years the nominated property was a centerof community activity -- used by this women’s club and their principal philanthropy,
Adair County’s only lending library for its citizens.

As with the rest of the document, any source material in Section 8 must be properly cited withfootnotes, figures and photos tied in as appropriate. All citations should be included in the
bibliography. See the chapter on writing for more information.
Historic Context and Argument:
Two of the most common comments staff provides to preparers concerns the establishment ofhistoric context and developing an argument. Significance should never be considered selfevident. The boundary, period of significance, area of significance, and level of significancemust all be argued for and supported in a nomination.
For example, it is easy to say a property is eligible for listing because it is an excellent example
of a particular architectural style. However, that claim must be justified via a discussion about
the architectural style in question. What features are prominent in this particular style and how
does the nominated property reflect these features? Where did the style come from historically?
Is the nominated property typical for this sort of style? Are there any other properties of the

Example Source: Woodcox, Cole. “Sojourners Club, Adair County, Missouri,” National Register of Historic
Places Nomination Form, 2014. p. 21
23

42

same style in the vicinity? How do they compare? These are a few of the questions that need tobe considered when approaching the Section 8 narrative.
“The evaluation of properties for National Register eligibility involves an assessment of thesignificance of a property in terms of the history of the relevant geographical area, the history of
associated historical themes or subjects, and within an historical and contemporary time frame—in other words, its context.”24 Without this context, it’s almost impossible to establish theeligibility of a property.
In sum, every property has a history; an argument must be made as to why a property’s history issignificant. Listing mere facts does not make an argument. There is the “so what” factor toconsider. As the preparer, you may understand why a property is eligible but unless thenomination clearly demonstrates the reason for significance it may not convince or be clear to
the audience. A good way to approach an argument is to keep the reason why a property iseligible in the foreground and avoid extraneous information, which can distract the reader.
While there may be interesting factual tidbits, the focus must always be on the nominatedproperty. Each line of reasoning for significance must be fully explored and defended, so takecare when selecting an argument.
The NPS has several sources related to context that are highly recommended.
White Paper on Historic Context: https://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/guidance/NR_workshop_3-1109/White_paper_on_historic_context_4-09.doc
Context, Context, Context, webinar: http://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/guidance/pastwebinars.htm

Period of Significance and Significant Dates:
The period of significance is the date, or range of dates, a property was significant.
Significance does not always translate to how long a property was used. Below are a couple ofexamples that provide guidance on how a period(s) of significance is selected.
Example One:A high school may be significant under Criterion A for Education because it was the only facility
where residents could receive a high school education between 1905 and 1915, when a secondhigh school was built. The nominated school discontinued classes in 1950 and afterward thebuilding was used as office space. The period of significance would begin in 1905 and extend to1915, when the other high school was built. Even though the nominated property operated as an

24

Wyatt, Barbara. Components of a Historic Context: A National Register White Paper. 04.09.09.
http://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/policy.htm#drafts Accessed 12-11-2013.

43

educational institution up to 1950, it was only significant for a period of 10 years when it was the
only institution in the community offering a high school curriculum.
Example Two:
A former hospital is being nominated under Criterion A for Medicine/Health. In 1885 a historicmeasure was passed in a community to build a hospital. Following this measure, architectural
plans for the hospital were created the following year. Construction was complete by 1895 but
due to legal issues the hospital was not put into use until 1900. From this period it served thecommunity as a hospital until 1945 when a larger hospital was built on the other side of town. It
continued to operate as a hospital until 1955 when it was decommissioned and converted into a
private school.
As the hospital is being nominated for Criterion A: Medicine, its period of significance would be
1900-1945: the dates for which the building was locally significant and functioned as the only
hospital in the area. Even though a “historic measure” was passed in 1885 it predates theconstruction of the building. The National Register of Historic Places nominates physicalresources. Any planning or events that took place before that resource existed cannot be
considered as part of the period of significance, although they should be discussed in the Section
8 narrative as part of the history. In this case, the property was built in 1895 but it was not put
into use until 1900. For those five years it was not serving a significant function, thus why theperiod of significance would begin in 1900.
A property may have more than one period of significance. If in “Example Two” the hospital
was a great local example of the Classical Revival style it may have an additional period ofsignificance of 1895 under Criterion C: Architecture (correlating to when the hospital wasconstructed). Thus the periods of significance would be noted in the jacket as “1895; 19001945”.
Combine periods of significance only if they overlap. For instance, if the school from“Example One” (with the original period of significance of 1905-1915) became an African
American elementary school in 1914 and served that function until 1950 the period ofsignificance would be 1905-1950 under Criterion A: Education but also Criterion A: Ethnic
Heritage: Black. 1905 and 1914 would then become “significant dates” (see below) which are
noted in the jacket but must also be noted in the Section 8 Summary and narrative.
For properties or districts whose period of significance extends beyond the “50-year mark,” staff
recommends using the following language as outlined in the National Register Bulletin 16a: How
to Complete the National Register Registration Form. “The period of significance ends in 1967
(or whatever date is 50 years ago) when activities begun historically continued to have44

importance and no more specific date can be defined to end the historic period.”25 Even if the 50year mark is used, an appropriate end date is still needed in the narrative if known. For example,
if a property’s significance ended in 1983, make a note of it in the Section 8 narrative when
discussing the period of significance. This identifies the true ending of significance, and if thenomination is ever updated in the future, it can be edited as appropriate.
The period of significance provides the temporal framework for a property’s context and history,
which can be an important factor when considering the appropriate amount of documentation ina nomination. As noted earlier, it is important to provide some history before and after the periodof significance to justify its selection; however, the bulk of a nomination’s historic context will
fall within the selected period of significance.
Significant Dates:
As the name suggests, significant dates are dates in which a significant event occurred within the
period of significance. Not all nominations will have a significant date. Most commonlysignificant dates include the date of construction, especially for Criterion C arguments.
However, they also note when important additions or changes took place in or on a property.
For instance, if the hospital discussed in “Example Two” received an addition at the rear of thebuilding in 1910 that housed an emergency room and operating theater that greatly benefited thecommunity, 1910 could be considered a significant date as it ties into the Criterion A argumentfor Health and Medicine.
Please note, significant dates cannot occur outside of the period of significance. Dates ofminor alterations to a property are generally not considered significant.

General Tips for Section 8
Below are some general tips when considering Section 8 of a National Register nomination.
White Rabbits
Avoid chasing them. White rabbits are considered tidbits of information or lines ofthought that are not directly related to the context of the nomination. For example, aformer home owner in a residential district may have been a famous writer. While thismay be worth mentioning, a full page about the author’s work probably does not belong
in the nomination.

Peacock Wording
Also known as puffery, boosterism and bolsterism, peacock words are terms or phrases
that are excessively praising in nature. This is when a narrative builds up a person, place,25

National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 16A: How to Complete the National Register Registration
Form. 1997. p. 42

45

project, etc., generally without any form of verification. They are, most often, opinions.
For example,
John A. Smith was a genius before his time in outbuilding design. Brilliant at a
young age, Smith learned the value of using local materials by watching his father
labor in the noble trade of woodworking for the quaint community of Everytown.
John’s visionary use of wood beams was without compare and demonstrates his
keen aptitude for artistic expression in the folk-vernacular tradition.
Nominations are meant to be objective in tone. If someone’s work is significant, let it
speak for itself. Common peacock words are “renowned,” “visionary,” “brilliant,”“genius,” “world-class,” “outstanding,” etc. Certainly these words can be used inmoderation, but strive to keep the tone as impartial as possible. Conversely, downplaying
another property or architect to make a better case for the property being nominated canfall into the same trap. Phrases like “short-sighted,” “simple,” “plain,” “ordinary,” and“unappealing” are words that can be used to express an opinion instead of providing an
objective account of events.
Data Dumping/Excessive Scholarship
Similar to chasing white rabbits, data dumping is the act of providing too muchinformation that may not be necessary to understand a nomination’s context. Data
dumping differs slightly as it could be on-topic but simply is extraneous. For example,
providing the ins and outs of a housing law or each step in the purchase of a property canbe highly distracting to a reader. The same can be true of providing too much scholarshipon a given subject. A common example is providing too much biographical informationof an establishment’s historic proprietor and their business or personal pursuits outside of
the building being considered. Provide enough information to make a case but get to thepoint as soon as possible. What does the audience need to know to understand thesignificance of a property? If indirect context is needed to understand thesignificance of the property, briefly note why at the beginning of the context so thereader understands why this information is important.

FishingFishing is a term used for nominations that provide a lot of interesting facts but do not
fully explore any of them as a potential argument for significance. This often occurs innominations for common property types and/or those that have not completed previous
Eligibility Assessments (see chapter “Approaching the NR Process” for more
information). For example, a nomination for a stand-alone two-part commercial blockbuilding may report that it has unique guttering, contained a store that sold a certain typeof can opener in the 1930s, and was built next to the train station. It may state these facts
and note they are important in hopes one of them will stick as an area of significance.
However, without a discussion that develops each one of these aspects, it does notprovide a basis for evaluation.
Remember, an accumulation of historic facts does not make a property eligible (see“Layering” below). Generally, more research and focus can resolve this issue but
sometimes a property simply is not eligible, which is why SHPO staff always encourage
46

the completion of an Eligibility Assessment before a nomination is submitted to the
SHPO.


Layering
Layering is similar to fishing in that it provides information that, when accumulated, ismeant to amount to an argument for significance. It differs slightly as this approach
generally falls under Criterion C arguments. Although Criterion C focuses on
significance due to the physical traits of a property, there are numerous arguments thatfall under it. For example: there is significance due to architectural style or type,significance due to construction method or materials, and significance due to the architector builder. These are all separate arguments and each must be fully developed. A
nomination may state the architect was important, the building is made out of rarematerials, and it represents the Tudor Revival style and thus is eligible. For this approach
to work the context and argument must be fully developed for each of these claims,
which could take a lot of time and effort. If there is a stronger case for some arguments
over others, it’s recommended to pare down the reasons for eligibility. Other areas ofinterest can be mentioned as part of a historic context but it must be clear to the reader
what the central argument is for National Register significance vs. anecdotal or
supporting information. Contact SHPO staff if assistance is needed in this area.

Qualifiers
Somewhat associated with layering, avoid the use of multiple qualifiers when justifying aproperty’s significance. The use of too many qualifiers is often a red flag for reviewers as
it often creates a context that is too narrow and even arbitrary in scope. For example, anomination may state that a property is eligible because it is a great local example of Art
Deco architectural styling as applied to a mill framed warehouse constructed between
1910 and 1930. In this case the style, construction method, property type, andconstruction period are all qualifiers. As written, it is too narrow a context to make a
successful case for eligibility. It would be more appropriate to state that the building is asignificant local example of Art Deco architectural styling as applied to an industrial
building. Comparisons would then focus on all local extant industrial buildings in the Art
Deco style (not just those that are Art Deco mill framed warehouses built between 1910
and 1930).

Previously Listed Resources
National Register nominations provide a wealth of information and staff highly
recommends reviewing nominations that are similar in scope to a potential project. Thisis especially important for first-time or new preparers as they can get a sense of how anomination is typically formatted.
While previously listed nominations are an excellent resource, they can sometimes be asource of misunderstanding when it comes to evaluating the eligibility of other resources.
Simply because a resource was nominated and successfully listed does not automaticallymean a similar resource will be listed. Every property or district must be consideredwithin their own unique context and must make their own individual case. Depending on
the situation, similar listed properties can and should be discussed in a nomination, but
the argument cannot be based solely upon the context of another nomination.
47

In addition, early nominations tend to be bare bones when it comes to developing ahistoric context. For example, it may not be fully understood why a certain property wasconsidered contributing or non-contributing in 1979 district nomination, as many of thenominations from this time period do not explain their rationale at the time of selection.
Finally, while National Register standards have remained relatively stable, the way they
are interpreted by the National Park Service has evolved over time. Historic
documentation that was accepted in a 1995 nomination may not qualify today. When in
doubt, it is always a good idea to check in with SHPO staff for clarification.
Defining Local Contexts
Most nominations in Missouri are listed at the local level of significance. This typicallymeans the property is considered significant under its area of significance within theconfines of the town, city, or town vicinity (if rural) it is located in. On occasion the
SHPO receives a nomination that claims it is significant within a specific neighborhoodor street. For example, a property may claim it’s the best example of a two-partcommercial block building within a neighborhood instead of the town. Usually thisapproach does not work without using a Multiple Property Document Form because it is
not made clear why that neighborhood or street should be considered under its own
context. If a preparer is contemplating evaluating a property for significance within ageographic boundary that is smaller than the city or town boundaries, we strongly
recommend contacting the SHPO prior to submitting a nomination.



Locational and Familiarity Biases
Locational or familiarity biases may happen when the preparer assumes the reader is as
familiar with the locale or topic as they are. Typically, this occurs when referencing
geographic locations. For example, stating the property is a few blocks down from thearena may mean something to someone from the author’s town but may not to a reader
from out of state. This can also occur when referencing the names of architects, builders
and localized historic events. Missouri’s NPS reviewer is located in Washington D.C. andis likely not familiar with local historic events. Write out the full names of streets andprovide maps. This can be vital for orientation purposes, especially in districts.
Preparers who are experts on a certain subject sometimes struggle with this issue. A
specialist on the architecture of Nelle E. Peters in Kansas City may mention her nameassuming the audience knows who this person is. If mentioning an individual, briefly
note who they are and why they bear mentioning. If noting a localized event, add asentence or two that briefly defines the incident. Write for a general audience.



Argument
As noted above, listing facts alone does not make a case of significance for National
Register purposes; an argument is needed. Since it is sometimes difficult to comprehend
the idea of an argument, the following exercise may be helpful: Assume the reader
counters the reason for significance with a “so what?” How would you go about
convincing someone unfamiliar with a resource of its importance? Focus on why theproperty is important in relation to its surroundings or level of significance (local, state,48

or national). If a property is locally significant for industry in Carthage, it will benecessary to begin by discussing industry in general in Carthage and how the nominatedproperty was integral to Carthage’s success. Remember, every area of significancepursued in a nomination must have its own separate, well-defined argument.


Conjecture
Take care not to form an argument on incomplete information or assumptions. Conjectureoften occurs hand-in-hand with peacock wording. An example of conjecture would be thefollowing: “Mr. Mathis’s designs utilize stone; he was influenced by English architectureduring his summer trip to London in his mid-twenties.” Just because Mr. Mathis went to
London for a summer does not mean it had an impact on his architectural designs. Unlessthere is a record of him stating as much, it would be better to say he may have been
influenced or simply remove the statement if no supporting evidence can be presented.

Clarity and Structure
A nomination may contain the necessary components of a historic context and a valid
argument for significance, however, if Section 8 is ill-structured these components may
get lost. Subjects highlighted in this chapter such as data dumping, layering and others
are often culprits when it comes to this issue. Formatting the narrative in a logical way isvery important when making a case for significance. Too many or too few subsectionsor having information presented out of a logical order can cause confusion. For example,
if a nomination has too many subsections it may not be clear how they relate to one
another. Thus the reader may not understand why the information is relevant. If there are
too few subsections important data or arguments may get lost in large swaths of text.
Additionally, if information is not presented in a logical order the reader may again notunderstand the relevance of the text until the very end. When structuring a Section 8
narrative consider the resource and the selected area of significance in relation to theperiod of significance and level of significance. Ask the following: “Why is thisinformation relevant to understanding the significance of this property? What is themost logical way to convey my argument?” Please keep the reader firmly in mind when
considering these questions. While you know why a resource is significant, your reader
may not be as familiar with a specific area of history or knowledge as you are (see“Familiarity Bias” above). Additionally, they may not have a lot of time to read thenomination, thus waiting until the very end of a narrative to explain why the presented
information is relevant is not recommended.

When in doubt, contact the SHPOSHPO staff is more than happy to assist where possible. While staff cannot performresearch, they can typically point a preparer in the right direction or provide a similar
example that could be useful in preparing a Section 8 narrative or argument. Pleasecontact staff if there are any questions or concerns. That is what the SHPO is there for.

49

Section 10 Boundaries
Boundary Selection
When selecting boundaries, it is important to keep in mind the property’s history, integrity, andcontext. For instance, if a farm is nominated for significance in agriculture but the boundary does
not account for the associated fields, then the boundary may not convey the property’s proposedarea of significance.
Other tips







The boundary should include as much of the historic setting as possible. It is not
acceptable to include only the footprint of a building in the boundary. Exceptions
may include instances where a building takes up the totality of a historic lot, such as
some row houses and downtown commercial buildings.
Boundaries for districts should not cut through blocks. It is typically best to take theboundary to the cross street or to an alleyway. Likewise, it is best to avoid a jigsaw
approach of cutting in and out of separate blocks to exclude non-contributing
resources in a district. Future activities may occur that could impact integrity, suchas removing non-historic siding. It is much easier to change the contributing status of
resources that are already in a National Register boundary vs. expanding theboundary for resources that were originally left out.
Current owner boundaries may be used if they are in keeping with the historicboundary. However, keep in mind current ownership alone is not a deciding factor in
the boundary selection.
Consider if perimeter resources like sidewalks, retraining walls, curbing, etc. should
be included in the boundary.

Verbal Boundary Description (Section 10)
This section of the nomination should be used to describe the location and boundaries of theresource in greater detail than those listed on the jacket. This section provides the opportunity todefine the geographic parameters of the nomination. Note if parameter resources like a sidewalk
along a street is within the nominated boundary or is excluded from it. There are several
methods for describing the boundaries, including legal descriptions, block numbers andconfinements of land from a fixed point like a street intersection. Likewise, a map can be usedin lieu of a narrative. In this case, simply note in this section that the boundary is indicated onan accompanying map. The map should clearly define the boundaries; include a directional
arrow or compass, and a scale. Ideally an aerial map will be used for this purpose so it is clear
what resources are within and outside of the boundary. See the chapter on maps for more
information.

50

Example: Single site nomination.
All of Lot 2, Block 23, Original Town, Section 9, Township 62, Range 15 -- a sector laid out
in the center of Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri.26
Example: District nomination.
The Kingshighway Hills Commercial District is bounded on the north by Tholozan
Avenue, on the east by S. Kingshighway Boulevard and on the west by a 20-foot wide
alley that parallels S. Kingshighway Boulevard. The southeast corner of the district
touches Chippewa Street then extends northwest, parallel to Lindenwood Place,which intersects with Chippewa Street. The district consists of two commercial blocks
facing S. Kingshighway Boulevard that represent the original commercial strip
associated with the Kingshighway Hills subdivision platted in 1926. 27
Boundary Justification (Section 10)
Please note the Boundary Justification must include the reasoning why the boundary was
selected vs. solely being descriptive in nature. For more information about writing boundary
justifications see Bulletin 16A.
Example: Single site nomination.
The boundaries of the nominated property include the parcels of land historicallyassociated with the resource.28
Example: District.
The district’s boundaries encompass the original platted Kingshighway Hills commercial
strip facing S. Kingshighway Boulevard. The boundaries include all of the original
buildings associated with the planned commercial strip. Tholozan Avenue historicallyseparated the district from auto-related commercial properties north of the district.
Commercial buildings immediately south of Chippewa Street are contemporary. The areaeast of the district was not developed commercially until the 1950s. The area west of the
district is residential.29

Woodcox, Cole. “Sojourner’s Club” National Register of Historic Places nomination. 2013
Keenoy, Ruth. “Kingshighway Hills Commercial District” National Register of Historic Places nomination. 2020.
28
Rieke, Lauren. “Plaza House Apartments” National Register of Historic Places nomination. 2013.
29
Keenoy, 2020.
26
27

51

Owner/Elected Official Information
Owner and Elected Official Notification30
The SHPO is required to notify all property owners (public and private) that their property is
being nominated to the National Register. Private property owners are given a period to object tothe listing if they so desire via a notarized letter as outlined in 36 CFR 60.6(g)31. In order tocomply with the regulations, the preparer must provide the SHPO the mailing addresses of allproperty owners contained within the nominated area regardless of contributing status. The
information must be submitted on the Exhibit A “Property Owners Sheet” included in Appendix
III.
The final certificate can only be mailed to a physical address for single site nominations. For thisreason, include the physical address in addition to a P.O. Box address. This is not required for
district nominations with multiple owners because the certificate is sent to the mayor in which
the district is listed. To ensure that the correct and current owner has been notified, it is requiredin the regulations that the preparer check either official land records or tax records for current
ownership. Owner information must be accurate by the time it is submitted to the SHPO.
Note: Preparers must notify the SHPO if a building or site is owned by the federal government(post offices, certain court buildings, etc.). When properties are owned by the federal
government, the SHPO is required to notify the Federal Preservation Officer (as theowner). Failure to notify the federal owner is considered an administrative error and could causedelays in the nomination process.
The SHPO is also required to notify county and municipal elected officials of any nominations
within their jurisdiction. This information must be submitted on the Exhibit B “Elected Officials
Sheet” included in Appendix IV. For unincorporated properties, please include the informationof just the county official.
The “Property Owners” and the “Elected Officials” sheets will be due at the revision
deadline. Deadlines are posted on the SHPO website.

30

Notifications are outlined in 36 CFR 60.6 (b-c) Federal Regulations.
36 CFR 60.6(g) only applies to private property owners. Per 36 CFR 60.6(t), public property owners may petition
to the NPS during the 15-day commenting period (this period is outlined in 36 CFR 60.13) once the nomination is at
the National Park Service for consideration.
31

52

Multiple Property Documentation Forms
Nominating a Property under a Multiple Property Documentation Form
A Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) is a means of recording the context ofproperties that share a common theme or background. While they are not nominations in and ofthemselves, they are used as an evaluation tool and can make the nomination process for related
property types easier. For instance, it could be difficult to nominate a simple gable-front rural
church for its architectural merit by itself. Rural churches tend to be plain in appearance and aresomewhat ubiquitous throughout the state. However, a comparative study of rural churches
completed in 2010 by SHPO staff revealed a common typology. This study was turned into
Rural Church Architecture of Missouri, c. 1819 to c. 1945, a MPDF that included a historiccontext for rural church evaluation. This MPDF made listing some rural churches more feasible
as the extensive research necessary to create a working context on Missouri’s rural churches had
been completed, significance discussed, and well-defined types identified.
MPDFs are divided into two main sections: the historic context and associated properties types.
The context of a MPDF, Section E, provides the historic information as it pertains to a resource.
The associated property type section, Section F, designates property types that can be nominatedunder the MPDF including what criteria of significance may apply and registration requirements.
While this guide does not include a section on completing a MPDF, the National Park Service
has a bulletin on the topic, which can be found here:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB16B-Complete.pdf
Remember, a district or property must be eligible on its own, even if using a MPDF. Stating aproperty is covered under a MPDF in a nomination by itself is not enough to make the case forlisting. It is important to explain how a property fits under a MPDF both for the context and theproperty type (sections E and F).
In the Section 8 Summary, Narrative, and Conclusion of a National Register nomination, note
what specific context(s) (Section E) and the specific property type (Section F) a property or
district falls under. Explain how it correlates to a context in Section E and how it meets theproperty type and registration requirements outlined in Section F. Take care to check Section Gof the MPDF to ensure the nominated property or district falls under the geographic parametersof the context. Likewise, the period of significance for a nomination under a MPDF must not falloutside of the context provided. For example, if a MPDF provides context for commercial
districts in a community up to 1955 a nomination cannot have a period of significance up to1960. In this case the nomination must adhere to the MPDF, list the district without the MPDF,
or amend the MPDF.
MOACHP members have stated they do not want to re-read a MPDF every time a property isnominated under it. Thus, it is always a good idea to provide a quick summary of the main pointsof a given context as a refresher.
53

“The context in a listed MPDF should not be repeated in related nominations, althoughsalient aspects should be summarized.” – Barbara Wyatt“The Components of a Historic Context.”
National Register White Paper. 4.9.2009.

Like any working document, MPDFs can become dated. In some cases it may be best to list a
property without the MPDF or consider amending a MPDF before proceeding with a nomination.
Please contact the SHPO for advice before a nomination is prepared if there is a question of fit.
The SHPO can also provide a list of MPDFs and may be able to offer successful examples ofrecent nominations utilizing a specific MPDF.
Submission requirements for new MPDFs are noted below. Because of the complex nature of
MPDFs, the SHPO must be contacted well in in advance of a nomination submission deadline. It
is recommended to contact the SHPO as early in the process as possible.
Submission requirements for a new MPDF:Any new MPDF must have an accompanying nomination with it at the time ofsubmission.
Contact the SHPO 60 days in advance of a submission deadline to discuss the project.
A new MPDF and accompanying nomination must be submitted 30 days in advance of a
submission deadline.

54Source Citations, Plagiarism, and Writing
A sound historical narrative must conform to standard writing practices and include properly
formatted bibliographical information, citations and original text.
Source Citations
In the realm of historical writing, the Turabian (Chicago) Style represents the appropriate methodof citing information sources in footnotes and the bibliography. Examples of proper source
citations can be found in Kate L. Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses,
and Dissertations.32 The information for this style guide is also widely published on the Internet.
For SHPO purposes, footnotes for citations are required — endnotes or parenthetical citations
will not be accepted. If there are any troubles with formatting, please contact the SHPO.
SourcesA lack of sources is a “red flag” for nomination reviewers. A deficiency in the number of source
citations indicates that there could be plagiarism, inaccurate information, or too much conjectureused to support the document’s main points.
The nature of National Register nominations, especially since they are used for planning andresearch purposes, requires the documents to follow sound academic practices. This includes
using reliable sources and accurately retrieving information from source material. Reviewers can
and will check the factual accuracy of sources if necessary. For further discussion on
determining relevant and reliable sources, see Turabian (section 3.4).
Footnotes
The Missouri SHPO will only accept nominations with properly cited footnotes. Chapters 16 and17 in the Turabian Style guidebook discuss at length the proper footnote format for a wide
variety of source types (e.g. books, newspapers, journal articles).
Footnotes must be used to cite a source when you quote exact words from a source; paraphrase
ideas that are associated with a source, even if it isn’t an exact quote; or use any idea, data or
method attributable to any consulted source. For more information, see Turabian (section 15.2).
DO NOT use “blanket citations.” In other words, sentences must be cited as you go along. A
single citation at the end of the document for a source is insufficient because it does not state
which pieces of information were gleaned from that source and where the information can befound in that source. Similarly, a single sentence or citation at the beginning of the document that
For the purposes of this guide, SHPO utilized the 7th Edition of Kate L. Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of
Research Papers, Theses and Dissertations. Although the 8th Edition is the most current, the topics andcorresponding section numbers stay consistent between the different editions.
32

55

mentions a particular source will be used throughout the narrative is also unacceptable, with one
exception. A blanket citation may be used to reference an up-to-date architectural survey thatserves as the source for individual architectural descriptions in Section 7 of a district nomination.
Additionally, if several sources are utilized to make a single point, use one footnote/citation
containing the sources used—list them in the order they appear in the text and separate each witha semicolon. See Turabian format (section 16.3.5) for complete citation format.
Footnotes in a nomination are also acceptable outlets to discuss a slightly off-topic point oranecdote that is worthy of mentioning but might disrupt the sentence flow in the text.
Bibliography
Bibliographical entries are needed for every source used in the document. Do not forget toinclude the source material used for figures and maps. Please note that bibliographical citations
are not identical to footnote citations. See Turabian Chapter 16 and 17 to ensure that thebibliography (Section 9 of the nomination) meets Turabian Style standards.
Examples33: Located below there are three citation versions: in the image, “1.” and “2.”refer to the note citation form and note short-form, respectively. Below that, without anumber, is an example of a bibliography citation.

33

Examples courtesy of: http://www.press.uchicago.edu/books/turabian/turabian_citationguide.html. Accessed
11/16/2015.

56

Plagiarism
Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and is sufficient reason for the SHPO to not process anomination. Plagiarism occurs when information from a source is used but not cited; a source iscited but the exact words were used and not put into quotation marks or blocked quotation; or asource is paraphrased and cited, but the words used are too similar to the original. Please visit
http://www.plagiarism.org or consult Turabian (Section 7.9) for additional information.
Copy and Pasted Material
Copy and pasted material in a nomination is only acceptable in Section 7 for architecturaldescriptions taken from survey forms provided that the description has not changed by the timeof the nomination. If this is done, it needs to be stated and properly cited at the beginning of thesection.
Copy and pasted material is not acceptable in Section 8 of any nomination. Preparers sometimes
copy large swaths of text from historical sources, especially previous National Registernominations and architectural surveys. This is not an acceptable practice even if it is properly
cited. All information taken from any other source must be properly cited immediately and asoften as it is referenced. The SHPO regularly checks references and sources.
Citing Your Own Work
If your nomination references your own published work or research, it still must be cited
appropriately just like any other source from a different author.

57

Use of Quotations
Every quote must be cited with a footnote and its source noted in the bibliography.
Overuse and Run-on Quotations
In Section 8 of the National Register nomination, a frequent problem is quote-heavy narratives.
While quotations can be useful in historical writing, they need to be used carefully. Among otherthings, an overabundance of quotations indicates that the writer did not conduct sufficientresearch or analysis to craft the narrative in their own words.
Quotations should be used sparingly. In other words, do not quote if you can paraphrase.
However, quoting is acceptable when the original words are especially memorable or whenparaphrasing cannot adequately express the intended idea.
When quoting passages fewer than five lines, enclose the exact words in the text by using double
quotations marks (“ ”). Use an ellipsis for omitted words. More information can be found in
Turabian (section 25.2.1).
ExampleThe reviewer advises that “this is an example of a standard run-in quotation.”ˡBlock Quotations
Quotations five lines or longer should be written in single-space block quotation format (SeeTurabian section 25.2.2.).
In the examples below, note the formatting differences between the two types of block
quotations. In the first example, the block quote is introduced by a complete sentence, so a colonis placed before the quote. In the second example, only an introductory clause precedes thequotation, so a comma is used. For any block quotation, the entire block must be indented. In thesecond example below, note that the first line is indented one step further when the quote
actually begins a paragraph in the original source.

58

Examples34

King analyzes the possible identities of the six Cherokee chiefs who appeared in London in1790 and 1791:
The number, description, and dates fit only a group led by William Augustus Bowles,
whose presence in London was widely reported in the contemporary press. Bowles
himself was indeed no Indian, but a Tory American, an early “Indian hobbyist” whowas perhaps the most colorful adventurer and imposter of the southern frontier. His
companions were, however, Indians, and it is clear from several contemporaryreferences that three of them were Cherokee and two Creek. Bowles himself wrote out
their names at the head of a letter to the king.1

According to King,The delegation, an invention of Bowles, cannot be understood apart from his
biography and his personality. He was born in 1763 in Frederick, on the Maryland
frontier, the son of Thomas Bowles, an immigrant from London, and his wife, Eleanor.
At the outbreak of the Revolution the family were Tories, and William went toPhiladelphia in the fall of 1777 to enlist as a common soldier in one of Gen. William
Howe’s regiments. He soon shifted to the new regiment of Maryland Loyalists . . . andwas shipped to Jamaica and thence to Pensacola.1

Grammar
Proper grammar is an important aspect of the nomination and preparers are encouraged tothoroughly proofread the document before a draft is submitted to the SHPO. Additionally,
having a second set of eyes to look over the nomination frequently catches additional errors.
SHPO staff may occasionally point out typographical errors, but the purpose of their review is tofocus on how a nomination meets National Register standards vs. type-editing concerns.

34

Examples courtesy of: http://www.wcu.edu/academics/campus-academic-resources/writing-and-learningcommons-walc/writing-support/research-and-documentation/turabian-chicago-documentation-style/turabianbibliography/turabian-block-quotations.asp. Accessed 11/16/2015.

59

Maps
Since there are numerous ways to create maps for a National Register nomination, this section
will provide examples of effective maps and list key features that each type of map must contain.
There are typically three types of maps required for nominations: contextual map; site/boundarymap, and photo map. Although they are often combined with a site map, an additional map isrequired for to illustrate the contributing status for districts or single sites with multiple
resources. Each will be discussed below for both single site and district nominations. The photo
map and site map (or floor plans) can often be combined into one, as long as the resulting map is
not too cluttered—see the district photo map example below and/or refer to the “Section 7”
chapter of this document.
The NPS has a document available online that provides instructions on using various programs
and websites to create maps for National Register nominations. This document can be found at
the following link:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/GIS_Guidance_2013_05_15_508.pdf
Please note, the Missouri SHPO does not accept UTM or USGS topo maps.
Contextual Map 35
A contextual map does not need to be quite as detailed as the site map. Instead, it should simply
display and pinpoint a footprint outline of where the building or district falls in a broader
geographic context. This can be accomplished in the same way as the above maps, but it is often
better to use a “road map” display instead of an aerial image. The figure below is a simple
example of a contextual map created using Bing.

35

A scale is not necessarily required for the contextual maps, but it certainly would not hurt.

60

Contextual Map Example

Site Maps
Site maps are aerial maps that identify the nominated resource(s), the National Registerboundary, and display the immediate setting and locational context. The figure below is a great
example of how a site map should look. Notice that it is clear and contains no ambiguity
concerning the location, address and geographic information. Whether Google Maps, Bing
Maps, ArcGIS Explorer Online, ArcMap, or another program is used to create site maps for a
National Register nomination, it must contain several key features:







Each map must contain a north directional indicator. This can be in the form of a northfacing arrow, compass rose or any other commonly recognizable symbol that indicatesdirection.
Resource’s street address.
Clearly visible latitude and longitude coordinates.
A boundary line indicating the National Register boundary.
The map must be reproducible in black and white.
61





Street names must be labeled. The map should also show bordering street names.
The map should include a scale, or say “Not to scale.”Contributing status of any secondary resources for single site nominations (see below for
district map requirements). Please note if the map is too cluttered, a secondary map may
be needed (see Buchanan Residence example below).

Example Site Map- Bing 36

If Bing Maps is used to create a map, the preparer must add a “north directional arrow” after the map is printed orexported from Bing. This can easily be done in Microsoft Paint, Publisher or Adobe Photoshop by either imposing
an arrow on top of the image or adding a symbol image below or beside the map.
36

Bing Maps will only provide a scale on the map if you take a screen capture and crop the image. The image above
used the “print” function to make a print-ready or PDF-ready document; this method removes the scale from theimage.

62

ArcGIS Explorer Online Site Map Example 37

ArcGIS Explorer Online is an excellent tool for creating maps. It’s slightly more complicated to use than Bing
Maps, but the customizability and superior map it produces outweighs the learning curve. This in-browser tool canbe accessed for free at: http://www.arcgis.com/explorer/
37

63

Hand-Drawn Example38

Multiple site maps for cluttered or complex resources39
If numerous properties are noted in the resource count, a map may become too cluttered torecord both lat/long coordinates and the contributing status of counted resources. In this case,two maps may be necessary. Below are screenshots from a nomination in Joplin for the
Buchanan Residence. The first example notes the lat/long coordinates and the second depicts theboundary and contributing status of resources.

Screenshot from Chalfant, Rhonda. “Prairie View Stock Farm” National Register of Historic Places Nomination,
2015.
39
Screenshots from Belk, Brad; Rhoads, Shakira, Diedriech, Michelle (ed). “Buchannan, Lucius P. Residence”
National Register of Historic Places Nomination, 2016.
3864

Google Earth Example

65

Google Maps District Example (showing c and n/c resources but without lat/longcoordinates) 40

A Google account is needed to create a Google Map.Once in Google Maps, log-in, go to menu and select “Yourplaces” and then hit the “Maps” tab. From there a new map can be created.
40

66

Example Site Maps for a district41

Above screenshot from Gautz, Michelle; Chase, Kristi. “Sarcoxie Public Square Historic District” National
Register of Historic Places nomination. 2014.
Below screenshot from Josse, Lynn. “Dutchtown South Historic District” National Register of Historic Places
nomination. 2015.
41

67

Site Map Illustrating Additions42
As noted in the chapter discussing Section 7, a site map (or floor plan) illustrating the locationand date of additions on a single site nominations is typically needed.

Rice-Stix Building
200 East Commercial Street, Lebanon, Missouri.
37.681448°-92.662265°

Image is from Rosin Preservation, “The Rice-Stix Building” National Register of Historic Places Nomination,
2019
42

68

District Maps 43
For district nominations, the
SHPO requires a site map aswell as a district map
containing the following
features:









Street names andbuilding addresses44
Identification forcontributing and noncontributing resources
Secondary resources(and their status ascontributing or noncontributing)Directional arrow orindicator
District boundary line
A legend or key thatdefine the symbols
used.

While digital maps are
preferred, hand-drawn
maps—like this example—
are perfectly acceptable aslong as they are tidy andreadable.

43

Example map is from the Troy Downtown Historic District NR Nomination (Listed 10/30/2013).
Building addresses are strongly preferred, as they are much easier to search when they are eventually posted
online. However, if it is not possible to use street numbers the inventory numbers associated with the property in the
Section 7 description may be used instead. Speak to SHPO staff for clarification.
44

69

Photo Map
The NPS requires that all photographs submitted with a National Register nomination be keyed
to a photo map. For instance, if there are 15 photos for a nomination, then there must be a map of
the property or district that displays the number, location and direction from which eachphotograph was taken; the number must correspond to the photo number in the nomination
jacket. For single site photo maps, use the current floor plan to document the photos. The two
images below provide examples of a single site photo map and a district photo map.45
Figure: Single Site Photo Map

Single Site Photo map from Nugent, Rachel; Rosin, Elizabeth. “ E. F. Swinney School” National Register ofHistoric Places nomination. 2013
District Photo map from Schwenk, Sally; Davis, Kerry. “Howard Neighborhood Historic District” National Registerof Historic Places nomination. 2007.
45

70

Figure: District Photo Map

71

Photo Policy
Often, visual documentation is the most accessible and understandable part of a nomination. It is
important that photos contain sufficient information to illustrate the integrity and significance ofa property, and that they be processed in a manner that will ensure high permanence. The photos
must show the principal facades and the environment or setting in which the property is located.
Additions, alterations and intrusions should appear in the photos. For districts, streetscapes -- aview that shows several buildings and their relation to the street -- are more important than viewsof individual buildings, although major buildings and styles must be represented.
Photographic Coverage Requirements
Digital photographs submitted with National Register of Historic Places nominations must be
clear, have an unimpeded view of the building, and provide an accurate visual representation of
the property and its significant features. They will illustrate the qualities discussed in thedescription and statement of significance and be referenced in the text. For single property
nominations, photographs must show the setting, each exterior elevation, character defining
features, noteworthy interior spaces, outbuildings and any alterations that have affected theproperty’s historic integrity. For elevation photos, ensure the whole elevation is included in theimage. A few close-ups of noteworthy features such as primary entrances can then be included.
For districts of residential, commercial, or industrial neighborhoods, the photos will primarily be
streetscapes. District photographs must depict major building types and styles, pivotal buildings
and structures, and representative noncontributing resources. While it is not necessary to include
photographs of individual resources as official photos for districts, additional images may beneeded so that SHPO staff can review the Section 7 property descriptions. See “District
Requirements” in the “Introduction” chapter above for more information. As SHPO staff rarely
have the opportunity to visit the nominated property or district in person, staff relies on thenomination’s photographs to view features like siding, window, and roof materials; window
divisions; porch details; additions; and stylistic details. Often times, staff is able to tell if thematerial is historic or not based on the photo, so clear images are important.
The necessary number of photographic views depends on the size and complexity of the property
or district. Submit as many photographs as needed to depict a nominated area’s current
condition and significant features. On average, a single site nomination will have between 10 and
15 photographs. Depending on the size, a district nomination averages 15 to 25 photographs. If
preparing more than 30 photographs, please contact the SHPO to ascertain what a reasonable
number of photos are for the project. Keep in mind additional images can always be included in
the nomination as a figure vs. a formal photo.

72

For additional information on photography, preparers may wish to consult National Register
Bulletin 23: How to Improve the Quality of Photographs for National Register Nominations
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB23-Complete.pdf. Although Bulletin
23 was written before the digital revolution, it provides a clear explanation of the technicalaspects of photography and how to obtain the best representative images as they pertain to
National Register nominations.
Likewise, the 2013 photo policy update from the National Park Service is recommended:https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/Photo_Policy_update_2013_05_15_508.pd
fPhoto submission requirements are listed below.


Photographs must be taken within 12 months of the potential MOACHP meeting.
Alternatively, the date of a site visit can be added to the date field of the photo log in thejacket to confirm the accuracy of the photos. Speak to SHPO staff before adopting thelatter option.
Photo locations and directions must be indicated on a map, building footprint, or site
plan.
Reference all photos in Sections 7 and 8 of the National Register nomination. If the photo
cannot be referenced in the nomination, it is likely extraneous and can be removed fromthe nomination submission.

Digital Files: Set digital cameras to save color digital images as RAW or uncompressed TIF files if
possible. This allows for the best image resolution. JPEGs converted to TIFs, by acomputer conversion process, are acceptable if the image is at the correct resolution;
however, JPEGs must not be altered in any way prior to conversion. No cropping or
retouching is allowed.
 Digital images files must be in color.
 The size of each image should ideally be at 3000 x 2000 pixels at 300 dpi. This generally
requires a digital camera resolution of six megapixels or greater. The minimal acceptablesize is 1200 x 1600 pixels, requiring a digital camera resolution of two megapixels. To
keep the file size manageable, each image should be less than 10 MB if possible.
 No manipulation of the images is allowed.
 For maximum detail, digital images should be saved in 8-bit (or larger) color format.
 The order of the .TIF files must correspond to the photo log that is included in the jacketof the nomination.
 The digital photo labels will contain the state, county, full nomination name and photo
number with underscores. For example, the image files for the John Doe Pub in Iron
County, Missouri, would be saved as:o “MO_Iron County_John Doe’s Pub_0001,”o “MO_Iron County_John Doe’s Pub_0002,” etc.

73Use of National Register Images and Text
The Missouri State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service reserve the rightto use photographs and text submitted as part of a National Register nomination for both print
and electronic publication purposes.

For More Information
Missouri Department of Natural ResourcesState Historic Preservation Office
P. O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-7858
mostateparks.com/shpo74

Appendix I
Nomination Review Checklist
Available at: https://mostateparks.com/sites/mostateparks/files/NRTechnicalChecklist.pdf
Item 1
Item 2Item 3Item 4Item 5Item 6Item 7Item 8Item 9Item 10Item 11

Are the Historic name, Other name, and Name of related Multiple Property Listing
completed or marked n/a?
Have the boxes for “not for publication” and “vicinity” been marked either n/a orwith an X?
For SHPO use only, leave blank. The most up to date form will not identify a specificindividual as the Deputy SHPO. See website for correct form.
For NPS use only, leave blank· Is Ownership of Property marked? (more than one may be marked)· Is the Category of Property (only one) marked?
· Is the Number of Resources within Property completed and totals correct?
· Is the Number of Previously Listed Resources completed or marked n/a?
Are the Historic and Current Functions completed (one per line) and compatible
with categories in Bulletin 16A (available on website)?
· Is Architectural Classification completed with a category and subcategory from
Bulletin 16A?
· Are Materials categories completed and consistent with Bulletin 16A?
· Is the Narrative Description on Continuation Pages box checked?
· Is the Criteria marked consistent with the Section 8 summary paragraph?
· If appropriate, is a Criteria Consideration marked?
· Are the correct Areas of Significance marked and consistent with the Section 8summary paragraph?
· Is the Period of Significance completed and consistent with the Section 8 summary
paragraph?
· Are Significant Dates completed or marked n/a? Do the dates fall within the periodof significance? Are they mentioned in the Section 8 summary?
· Is the Significant Person marked n/a, unless criterion B is checked?
· Is the Cultural Affiliation marked n/a, unless Criterion D is checked?
· Is the Architect/Builder completed (last name first) or marked Unknown?
· Is the Statement of Significance on Continuation Pages box checked?
· Is the Previous documentation on file marked, if appropriate? (usually left blank)· If a Federal Part 1 Tax Credit application has been submitted to the NPS, is“Preliminary determination of individual listing . . .” checked?
· Is the Primary location of additional data marked? (usually marked SHPO)· Acreage should be completed to the nearest tenth (0.0), or if less than one acre
write as “less than one acre.”· Is the Latitude/Longitudes complete? Are they accurate? Do they match thecoordinates on the associated map? Leave UTM field blank or contact the SHPO
for guidance on completing this field.
· Are the verbal boundary description and boundary justification included on acontinuation sheet?
Items to be completed in full.
Photographs and figures:· Has the Photo and Figure log been completed and a list of photos provided in thissection?
· Has the camera direction been noted for each photograph?
· If figures are imbedded in the narrative, are the associated page numbers added
to the figure log?

75

Continuation
SheetsAccompanying
Materials· Are the photographs keyed to a map on a continuation page?
Continuation Sheets:· Are the Section numbers and page numbers (including jacket) numberedconsecutively (regardless of Section)?
· Are the headings of each page filled out correctly and is the name of multiple
listing completed or marked n/a?
· Are all the photographs and figures referenced in the nomination?
Section 7· Does Section 7 have a summary, setting, property description, and integrity
subsections?
· For district nominations, are there individual descriptions of primary resourcesthat include descriptions and construction dates of any counted outbuildings? Is
the contributing status noted for each counted resource? Do the descriptions
explain why a counted resource is non-contributing?
· If a single site nomination, is there a subsection in Section 7 for the interior
description with the current floor plans tied in?
· Are construction and alteration dates identified? Are photo references tied into
the description as features are described in Section 7?
Section 8·Does Section 8 have a summary, narrative, and conclusion?
· Does Section 8 contain a clear and coherent argument for the selected area(s) of
significance, level(s) of significance, and period(s) of significance?
· If applicable, does Section 8 contain appropriate comparisons?
Section 9: Bibliography:· Is the Bibliography completed in full using the Chicago/Turabian style accurately?
· Does the Bibliography account for all sources cited in the document (footnotes,
figures, etc)?
· Are footnotes completed in full using the Chicago/Turabian style accurately?
Figures/Maps:·Do figure captions contain a source? Do the figure numbers and descriptions match
those in the Figure Log?
·Are current floor plans included (single site only)· Has a contextual map been included as a figure that notes Latitude/Longitude
location and coordinates?
(Optional)-Has a separate KML or KMZ file been provided?
· For single sites: Site map: Has a site map been added and referenced in Section 7?
Are other resources noted in the resource count included on the map with acontributing or non-contributing status? Is a boundary line included?
· Is a detailed boundary/footprint map provided (for Historic Districts only)? Are thenames of streets included? Do they note contributing and non-contributing statusof counted resources? Are street numbers or other numbers assigned to primaryresources? Is a boundary line included?
· Do all maps have a North arrow and scale?
Accompanying Materials·Has the nomination been saved in Word format (do not submit a .pdf) and labeled
per NPS standards?
Photographs:·Have color TIF images been provided at the minimum required 1200x1600 pixels at
300 ppi?
·Are they labeled according to NPS Standards?
·Is there adequate but not excessive photo coverage?

76

Appendix II
National Park Service “White Paper” on Parking Lots in Historic Districts

77

78

79

Appendix III
EXHIBIT “A”46
PROPERTY OWNER SHEETName of Property:

Location of Property (street/city/county):

I, __________________________, hereby certify that the following constitutes the complete listof owners of record for the property named above. This information was obtained from theNAME:
ADDRESS:CITY:
STATE:ZIP CODE:(Signature of Nomination Preparer)
Typed name and title:
Date:
Note: If nomination affects multiple property owners, please contact the SHPO for details on
how to document all property owners.

46

The Exhibit A and B forms used at the Missouri SHPO are based upon those utilized at the Oklahoma SHPO,
Oklahoma Historical Society.

80Appendix IV
EXHIBIT “B”47
ELECTED OFFICIALS SHEETName of Property:
Location of Property (street/city/county):

For the above referenced property, provide both:
Mayor’s Name (if within a city or town):
Address:
City/State/Zip Code:AND

Name of the Presiding Commissioner, County Commissioners:
Address:
City/State/Zip Code:

47

Ibid.

81

Appendix V
Instructions for Providing District Owner Information

82

83

Appendix VI
District Owner Information Template84

Appendix VII
ONLINE RESOURCES
The Missouri Guide to the National Register Process
https://mostateparks.com/sites/mostateparks/files/National%20Register%20Guide.pdf

MISSOURI STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
Homepagehttps://mostateparks.com/shpo
Eligibility Assessments: Guidance, Instructions and Form (scroll to the bottom for forms)
https://mostateparks.com/page/85626/my-property-eligible-listing-national-register
The National Register of Historic Places Guidance and Forms (scroll to the bottom for forms)
https://mostateparks.com/page/85341/national-register-historic-places
Missouri National Register Listings
https://mostateparks.com/page/84436/missouri-national-register-listings
MOACHP Meeting Dates and Submission Requirements
https://mostateparks.com/page/85656/nominations-national-register
Architectural Survey Guidance, Standards and Forms (scroll to the bottom for forms)
https://mostateparks.com/page/86111/survey
List of Architectural Surveys Available Online
https://mostateparks.com/page/85671/sampling-architectural-surveys
Historian/Architectural Historian Consultant’s List
https://mostateparks.com/page/84241/archaeology-and-historic-preservation-consultants-list-andprofessional-qualifications

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB-15_web508.pdf
National Register Bulletin 16A: How to Complete the National Register Registration Form
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB16A-Complete.pdf
National Register Bulletin 16B: How to Complete the National Register Multiple Property Documentation
Form
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB16B-Complete.pdf
National Register Bulletin 23: How to Improve the Quality of Photographs for National Register
Nominations
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB23-Complete.pdf
National Register Bulletin 39: Researching a Historic Property85

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/NRB39-Complete.pdf

National Register Electronic Map Policy Factsheet
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/GIS_Guidance_2013_05_15_508.pdf
National Register Photo Policy Factsheet, updated May 2013https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/Photo_Policy_update_2013_05_15_508.pdf
National Register Publications (link includes “white papers”)
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/publications.htm
National Register Webinars
http://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/guidance/pastwebinars.htm

RESEARCH AND WRITING
Plagiarism 101
http://www.plagiarism.org/
Turabian Quick Guide
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/books/turabian/turabian_citationguide.html

86