What is a National Historic District?
A National Register Historic District gives official recognition of the area’s significance, and is a prerequisite for receiving various kinds of Federal benefits (e.g., Federal grants, tax incentives, etc.). However, National Register listing or eligibility for listing provides protection only when there is Federal involvement (e.g., Federal dollars, permits, etc.) in an action that may threaten the resources in the district. Listing in the National Register of Historic Places means that the Federal Government has officially agreed that the district is significant and thus worthy of preservation; however, it is more honorific than substantive.
