National Register Properties
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register is part of a nation-wide program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archaeological resources.
A listing in the National Register of Historic Places is a highly beneficial and honorary distinction enabling the owner to freely maintain and manage the property if no government funds or tax credits are used to make non-historic alternations. Guidelines for preserving, rehabilitating, restoring, and reconstruction of historic buildings should, of course, be followed if the owner wishes to continue listing the property in the National Register of Historic Places.
Currently, Kenilworth only has eight properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, nearly every house in Kenilworth is eligible to be placed on the National Register. In 2008 the Village of Kenilworth was nominated to the National Register as a Historic District. This nomination would have recognized the historic architectural, social, and cultural value of Kenilworth. However, the Village voted down the nomination and it was pulled from consideration. For accurate information about the nomination process and what the National Register does and does not do, contact the Kenilworth Historical Society or visit the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency or the National Park Service.