The information provided on this page is intended for professional consultants, researchers, writers and other members of the public. This resource was created to provide guidance for preparing a typical Wisconsin nomination to the State Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Information on this page is provided as a supplement to the information found in National Register Bulletin 16A: How to Complete the National Register Registration Form.

Note: This information is not intended to replace Bulletin 16A or any other National Register bulletins. You may want to review the fundamentals of how to list a property. For more complicated or unusual nominations, it may be necessary to consult several National Register bulletins.

Before You Begin

Prior to beginning the nomination process, determine the eligibility of your historic property or historic resource. Confirming potential eligibility helps ensure that it meets National Register criteria and is an indicator of a successful conclusion to the nomination process.

Eligibility may be determined by:

• Applications for rehabilitation tax credit programs for both income-producing or or residential properties
• Professional intensive surveys of communities
• Submitting a National Register questionnaire

Resources for Completing Your Nomination

The following documents are the key resources you'll need to complete your nomination.

• National Register Form - "Wisconsin Preferred" (DOC, 188 KB) UPDATED JANUARY 2023
  Complete this form to nominate historic and pre-contact resources.
• How to Complete the Forms (PDF, 1.9 MB)
  Advice on completing all the forms in the nomination process.
• National Register Photo Policy Factsheet
  Policies on photography from the National Park Service.
• Additional Wisconsin SHPO Requirements (PDF, 220 KB)
  A complete list of special requirements needed for nominating a property to the State and the National Register.
• Complete Nomination Checklist (DOC, 294 KB) UPDATED DECEMBER 2023
  Use this checklist to verify that your packet is complete before submitting it to SHPO for review.

Incomplete Nomination Packets

Make sure your submitted nomination packet is fully complete. Incomplete submissions are normally returned without action by the staff or the Wisconsin Historic Preservation Review Board. Watch for missing technical information and closely follow the instructions in this document and in National Register Bulletin 16A. You may also review your nomination's content by filling out the checklist provided above.

It is the responsibility of the preparer to assure all facts are correct and adequately documented and to make any revisions or corrections necessary after the form has been reviewed. If questions arise in the course of preparing a nomination, SHPO staff will be happy to advise.

Please note: All nomination materials, including the nomination form, images, and maps become the property of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Learn More

About the National Register and State Register of Historic Places

Information for Preservation Consultants and Archaeologists

Have Questions?

Contact Elizabeth Hilton at 608-264-6501 or at elizabeth.hilton@wisconsinhistory.org.