National Historic Sites (United States)

National Historic Sites (United States)

National Historic Sites are protected areas of national historic significance in the United States. A National Historic Site usually contains a single historical feature directly associated with its subject. A related but separate designation, the National Historical Park, is an area that generally extends beyond single properties or buildings, and its resources include a mix of historic and sometimes significant natural features.

As of 2012, there are 46 National Historical Parks and 78 National Historic Sites. Most National Historical Parks and National Historic Sites are managed by the National Park Service. Some federally designated sites are privately owned, but are authorized to request assistance from the National Park Service as affiliated areas.

As of October 15, 1966, all historic areas, including National Historical Parks and Historic Sites, in the National Park System are automatically listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are also about 80,000 National Register of Historic Places sites, the large majority of which are neither owned nor managed by the National Park Service. Of these, about 2400 have further been designated as National Historic Landmark sites.