4. History in Your Backyard

Local History & Landmarks

4.
Do TWO of the following:

Choose TWO of the five options below. Each one helps you explore history right where you live. No matter where you are in America, there is history within walking — or at least driving — distance.

Option A: The National Register of Historic Places

4a.
Explain the National Register of Historic Places and how a property becomes eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Make a map of your local area, marking the points of historical interest. Tell about any National Register properties in your area. Share the map with your counselor, and describe the historical points you have indicated.

What Is the National Register?

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of properties in the United States that are worthy of preservation because of their historical, architectural, or cultural significance. It is maintained by the National Park Service and includes more than 95,000 listings — buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts.

Being listed on the National Register does not prevent a property owner from doing what they want with their property. It is an honorary designation that recognizes the property’s importance and may make it eligible for preservation grants or tax benefits.

How Does a Property Get Listed?

A property becomes eligible for the National Register if it meets at least one of four criteria:

  1. Association with significant events in American history
  2. Association with significant people in American history
  3. Distinctive design or construction — architectural significance
  4. Potential to yield important information — archaeological significance

The property must also generally be at least 50 years old, though exceptions exist for properties of exceptional importance.

National Register of Historic Places — Search by Location Search the National Register database to find listed properties near you. You can search by state, county, or city. Link: National Register of Historic Places — Search by Location — https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/database-research.htm

Making Your Map

Your map should show your local area with historical points of interest marked. It does not need to be a work of art — a clear, hand-drawn map with labels works great.

Option B: A Local Historical Event

4b.
Research an event of historical importance that took place in or near your area. If possible, visit the place. Tell your counselor about the event and how it affected local history. Describe how the area looked then and what it now looks like.

Every community has been shaped by events — some famous, some forgotten. This option asks you to find one and bring it to life.

Finding a Local Event

  • Search local library archives — librarians are experts at local history
  • Visit your county historical society — they often maintain collections of documents, photographs, and artifacts
  • Look for historical markers — those roadside plaques often mark the sites of significant events
  • Check local newspapers — many libraries have digitized archives of old newspapers

What to Research

Once you have chosen an event:

  • What happened? Describe the event in detail.
  • When and where? Be specific about the location.
  • Why did it matter? How did this event change your community?
  • Then vs. now: What did the area look like when the event occurred? What does it look like today? If possible, visit the site and note the differences.

Option C: Your Town’s Origins

4c.
Find out when, why, and how your town or neighborhood started, and what ethnic, national, or racial groups played a part. Find out how the area has changed over the past 50 years and try to explain why.

Every town has an origin story. Some were founded as trading posts, military forts, or railroad stops. Others grew around factories, farms, churches, or schools. Understanding why your town exists helps you understand the community you live in.

Research Questions

  • When was your town or neighborhood established?
  • Who founded it, and why?
  • What ethnic, national, or racial groups settled there?
  • What industries or activities drove the local economy?
  • How has the area changed in the past 50 years — population, demographics, land use, economy?
  • Why do you think those changes happened?

Option D: A History Program

4d.
Take an active part in a program about an event or person in American history. Report to your counselor about the program, the part you took, and the subject.

This option gets you involved — not just reading about history, but actively participating in bringing it to life.

What Counts as a “Program”?

  • A reenactment or living history event
  • A community theater production about a historical event or figure
  • A school or library history presentation
  • A memorial ceremony (Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day)
  • A historical preservation volunteer project
  • A museum-sponsored event or workshop

The key word in the requirement is active — you need to participate, not just attend as a spectator.

What to Report

After your participation, tell your counselor:

  • What was the program about?
  • What part did you play?
  • What did you learn about the historical event or person?
  • What was the most meaningful or surprising thing about the experience?

Option E: A Historic Trail or Walk

4e.
Visit a historic trail or walk in your area. After your visit, share with your counselor what you have learned. Discuss the importance of this location and explain why you think it might qualify for National Register listing.

Historic trails and walks let you literally walk in the footsteps of history. These can range from formal National Historic Trails to local walking tours through historic districts.

Finding a Historic Trail or Walk

National Trails System — National Park Service Explore the national system of trails including National Historic Trails, National Scenic Trails, and National Recreation Trails. Link: National Trails System — National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationaltrailssystem/index.htm

You can also check:

  • Your city or county’s parks and recreation department
  • Local tourism websites
  • Historical society walking tour guides
  • State heritage trail programs

During Your Visit

Pay attention to:

  • The historical significance of the trail — what events happened here?
  • Physical features — markers, monuments, preserved buildings, landscapes
  • How the trail is maintained and interpreted for visitors

National Register Connection

After your visit, think about whether the trail could qualify for the National Register. Remember the four criteria: association with significant events, association with significant people, distinctive design, or potential to yield important information. Make your case to your counselor using specific observations from your visit.

A Scout standing next to a historic trail marker, reading the information on the plaque with a notepad in hand

You have explored the history in your own backyard. Now let’s look at how movies, books, and music capture the American experience.