National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) are historic places that hold national significance. The Secretary of the Interior designates these places as exceptional because of their abilities to illustrate US heritage. Today, we have almost 2,600 NHLs in the United States.
Though the National Park Service administers the NHL program on behalf of the nation, most national historic landmarks are not in national parks. They are typically either privately held or managed by state and local entities. When exploring NHLs, pay close attention to whether they are open to the public or not and consult the local organizations to find out more about visiting.
In Hawai'i, many NHLs are sites of great cultural significance. Many are sacred to the Hawaiian people.
If you choose to explore an NHL in person that is open to the public, treat the site with the utmost care and respect. Remember, take only memories and leave only footprints.
Last updated: August 19, 2019