Wide walking path of pavers near an area with large bolders, tall budding trees, and a separate space for red and green wooden park benches.
One of Manhattan's oldest parks and site of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, Marcus Garvey Park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2025. The nomination was supported, in part, by an Underrepresented Communities grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Photograph by Marissa Marvelli

Preservation Programs

In its role as the designated State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the Division for Historic Preservation administers programs established in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and those established by New York State policy, these include:

State and National Registers of Historic Places 

The State and National Registers of Historic Places are the official lists of buildings, structures, districts, objects, and sites significant to the history of New York and the nation. Properties may be significant in local, state, and/or national contexts for a variety of reasons such as architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture. 

Certified Local Government (CLG) Program

Established in 1980 by an amendment to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the Certified Local Government (CLG) Program is a nationwide initiative that directly links a community’s preservation goals to state and federal preservation programs. 

Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit programs

Preservation-based tax incentive programs are available in New York State for the rehabilitation of historic income-producing properties, owner-occupied residences, and barns. These programs are managed through the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in partnership with the National Park Service (federal), the Internal Revenue Service (federal), and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (state).

Historic Business Preservation Registry

The Historic Business Preservation Registry highlights New York businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and have contributed to their community’s history.