What are National Historic Landmarks?
National Historic Landmarks are buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that have been determined by the Secretary of the Interior to be nationally significant in American history and culture. Many of the most renowned historic properties in the Nation are Landmarks. Mount Vernon, Pearl Harbor, the Apollo Mission Control Center, Alcatraz and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthplace are Landmarks that illustrate important contributions to the Nation’s historical development. How are National Historic Landmarks different from other historic properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places? Landmarks have been recognized by the Secretary of the Interior as possessing national significance. Nationally significant properties help us understand the history of the Nation and illustrate the nationwide impact of events or persons associated with the property, its architectural type or style, or information potential. A nationally significant property is of exceptional va
