Registering Properties

Here you will find information on how to register properties to the local, state, and/or national register of historic places, or establish a district. For information on researching historic property and to see what information is available visit the Historic Surveys page.
Local Register

Local Register

Sec. 26-9G-2 of the Manhattan Development Code provides a process for the designation of locally-significant historic structures, sites, and districts. Designation is established by a city ordinance which is adopted by the Historic Resources Board and City Commission.

Designation of locally-significant historic structures, sites, and districts can be initiated by anyone, not just the property owner. Once a property is listed on the local register, any changes made to structures, sites, or buildings within a historic district must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness to ensure historic compatibility. The certificate is issued by the Historic Resources Board (see Sec. 26-9D-5 of the Manhattan Development Code).


Nomination

To nominate a district made up of multiple properties to the Local Register, complete and submit the District Nomination Form online along with its Individual Property Profile Forms. To nominate an individual property to the local register, complete and Individual Property Nomination Form.

State Register

State Register

The Register of Historic Kansas Places is our state’s official list of historically significant properties. The same general criteria used to assess the eligibility of a property for inclusion in the national register are also used to assess eligibility for the state register (see National Register information below), but more flexibility is allowed in the interpretation of the criteria for eligibility. Properties eligible for the register generally retain their historic appearance, are at least 50 years old, and have the potential to be documented as historically or architecturally significant at the local, state, or national level. Many types of properties are listed in the register, including apartment buildings, barns, banks, commercial properties, courthouses, libraries, houses, parks, ranches, hospitals, roads, bridges, rail depots, and archaeological sites. Manhattan has over 40 properties on the State register.

Properties listed on the State Register are eligible for tax credits and grants for work relating to rehabilitation and preservation. The State Register is administered by the State Historic Preservation Office.

Nomination 

To nominate a property to the State Register, follow this step-by-step guide to the process.
National Register

National Register

The National Register of Historic Places is the country’s official list of historically significant properties, which must meet one or more of the four criteria for evaluation. Properties eligible for the register generally retain their historic appearance, are at least 50 years old, and have the potential to be documented as historically or architecturally significant at the local, state, or national level. Many types of properties in are listed in the National Register, including apartment buildings, barns, banks, commercial properties, courthouses, libraries, houses, parks, ranches, hospitals, roads, bridges, rail depots, and archaeological sites. Manhattan has over 30 properties on the National register. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service. A property must first be nominated and listed on the State Register (see above) before being considered for the National Register. 

Properties listed on the National Register are eligible for tax credits and grants for work relating to rehabilitation and preservation.

Nomination 

To nominate a property to the National Register (via the State Register), follow this step-by-step guide to the process.
Historic Districts

Historic Districts

A historic district is a concentration of historic buildings, structures, sites, and/or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development. Individually, the properties or resources in a historic district may not have particular historical, architectural, engineering, or archaeological distinction, but the collection must have significance in one of these areas. Common examples of historic districts include collections of downtown commercial and civic buildings, residential neighborhoods, and industrial complexes. There are three historic districts in Manhattan.

Nomination

Districts may be nominated at the local level (see Local Register section above) or at the State and National level. For more information on establishing a State or National Historic District, see the Kansas Historical Society webpage.