The Keeper of the Register (more formally known as the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places) is a National Park Service (NPS) official, responsible for deciding on the eligibility of historic properties for inclusion on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).[1][2]
The Keeper of the Register role was created following the 1966 enactment of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The NHPA declared a national policy focus on preserving significant historic sites, and it has been amended several times since it was first enacted. The NHPA authorized the Secretary of the Interior to maintain a National Register of Historic Places, which has been delegated to the Keeper by the Director of the National Park Service.[3]
The first person to hold the office was William J. Murtagh, whose term ran from 1967 through 1979. The Keeper's authority may be delegated as they see fit.[2] The State Historic Preservation Officer for each state submits nominations to the Keeper. Upon receipt, the Keeper has 45 days to decide whether to add the property to the NRHP.[2][4][5]
The Keeper of the Register role is supported by several regional reviewers, who review submissions for inclusion on the NHRP.[6] This team also is supported by several archaeologists, archivists, and historians.[6]
| # | Keeper | Term | Appointing Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1[7] | William J. Murtagh | 1967 – 1979 | George B. Hartzog Jr. | |
| Acting[8] | Carol D. Shull | 1979 – 1981 | William J. Whalen III | |
| 2 | Jerry L. Rogers | 1981 – 1994 | Russell E. Dickenson | |
| 3 | Carol D. Shull | 1994 - 2005 | Roger G. Kennedy | |
| 4 | Jan Snyder Matthews | 2005 – 2009 | Fran P. Mainella | |
| Interim | Carol D. Shull | 2009 – January 3, 2015 | Mary A. Bomar | |
| 5 | Stephanie Toothman | January 4, 2015 – June 2, 2017 | Jonathan Jarvis | |
| 6 | J. Paul Loether | June 3, 2017 – June 25, 2018 | Michael T. Reynolds | |
| 7 | Joy Beasley | July 2018 – Present | P. Daniel Smith | NPS Associate Director of Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science |
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| Topics |
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| Lists by state |
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| Lists by insular areas |
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| Lists by associated state |
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| Other areas |
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