Multiple Property Submissions

When a group of properties shares a common theme, they can be nominated to the National Register of Historic Places as part of a Multiple Property Submission (MPS). MPS nominations are different than historic district nominations. A historic district is a single, geographically contiguous boundary, comprised of buildings from a specific historic era. Properties nominated as part of an MPS share a common theme with buildings that might be located across the state or built during different historic eras or architectural styles.

A multiple property submission relies on a Multiple Property Document (MPD), which outlines much of the background and historical context required for an individual nomination. By associating a new nomination with an existing theme, it is no longer necessary for the applicant to research and write about broader context. 

For example, the California Carnegie Libraries MPS outlines the 85 surviving libraries (at the time of the nomination) built with funding from industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie between 1901 and 1921. These libraries were designed in a variety of architectural styles and are located across California, from Alturas down to Calexico. If someone wanted to nominate a Carnegie Library to the National Register, they could refer to the background information already in the Carnegie Library MPS as part of the nomination process.

Earlier this year, Jimmy's Oriental Gardens and Chung Family House submission was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in California 1850-1995 MPS. This multiple property submission attempts to encapsulate the history and experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. It is organized by themes, including Migration and Community, Religion and Spirituality, and Activism, Civic Engagement, and Political Participation.

Visit the Office of Historic Preservation website to see examples of National Register Multiple Property Submission Contexts. Guidance on writing a multiple property submission is available from the National Park Service publications National Register Bulletins 16A and 16B.

Designating California

Take a look, it's in a book

October is National Book Month! To celebrate, we are highlighting three libraries that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. California's public libraries began in the Gold Rush era, with the first being the Monterey Library Association, founded in 1849. Most early libraries were private subscription or social libraries that charged dues and often failed for lack of money. That began to change with the Rogers Act of 1878, which let cities levy a property tax to support free public libraries.

In the early 1900s, Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 142 libraries in California. State Librarian James Gillis created the nation's first county library system in 1909, which brought service to rural areas. By 1917, California's libraries had become free, publicly supported institutions, and many of the buildings from that period still stand today.

State Historical Resources Commission

The State Historical Resources Commission (SHRC) will meet November 12 and 13, 2026, at 9 am at the California Railroad Museum, East Theater, 125 I (eye) Street, Sacramento, CA. Commission meetings are open to the public and live-streamed through the Cal-Span network. Meeting and workshop dates, times, and agendas are posted on the SHRC Meeting Schedule and Notices page of the OHP website.

For upcoming nominations, visit the Pending Nominations page. Nominations already heard by the Commission are listed on the Actions Taken page, and video recordings of SHRC meetings are posted to Meeting Recordings & Summaries.

JC-534132 - Analyst III - Retired Annuitant

$6,623.00 - $8,290.00 per Month
Final Filing Date: 10/22/2026

This advertisement is for Retired Annuitants only. To qualify for this position, you must be retired from California state service for at least 180 days.

The maximum number of hours this position can work is 960 hours per Fiscal Year.

Events and Tours

Skeleton Starlight - Special Event Train Ride

October 17 - 31

Located in the heart of California’s Gold Country, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park combines railroad heritage, local history, and the lure of Hollywood. It is one of only two remaining genuinely authentic, short line steam-era roundhouse complexes in the United States that remain completely intact, operational, and actively used to service steam locomotives. Tickets available at www.railtown1897.org

Día de los Muertos Events

• Los Encinos State Historic Park invites visitors to participate in our yearly Día de los Muertos event the weekend of October 31st to November 1st. Festive attire and sugar skull makeup are welcome.
  
• Celebrate Día de Los Muertos at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Throughout the weekend, visitors can explore the museums to see altares de muertos (altars of the dead) celebrating influential Old Town citizens, participate in hands-on art activities, and sign-up for a sugar skull painting workshop (additional material fee).

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

Events Calendar

Stay up-to-date on ACHP events and meetings.

California Strategic Growth Council

The California Strategic Growth Council released new Tribal Technical Assistance Guidance to its Technical Assistance toolkit. This new section includes background on California’s unique historic relationship with Tribes, a set of core principles for working with Tribes, best practices for developing a Tribal-specific TA program, resources to inform Tribal engagement, and a Tribal-specific glossary.  

National Park Service

The National Park Service has issued additional information that supplements the Historic Preservation Certification Application instructions for Part 1 application documentation requirements for requests for preliminary determinations of significance.

This additional information is intended to simplify submission requirements and the amount of documentation required for properties not already listed in the National Register of Historic Places participating in the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program.  

The Technical Preservation Services (TPS) division of the National Park Service offers a series of free online trainings on a variety of topics, including Sustainability Guidelines, Rehabilitation Guidelines, Incentives, Local Historic Districts, and more. TPS also offers an extensive series of publications that provide guidance and how-to on a broad range of preservation topics and applications. 

New Guidance!
Identifying and Counting Buildings — Part 1 Application Requirements

TPS issued supplementary instructions to the HPCA application regarding the Part 1 application requirements for historic properties with more than one building.




California Preservation Foundation

Stay up-to-date! Visit the upcoming events calendar to find workshops and webinars for preservationists, architects, planners, and anyone else interested in learning more about preservation issues.

Upcoming Programs:

• 10/29 Public Participation Matters! A Beginner’s Guide to Local Government Meetings

California State Library

• 175+ stories that highlight California’s unique history and role in the world 
• Protecting California’s Cultural Heritage

California Grants Portal

Hosted by the California State Library, this is a one-stop portal for searching for grants and loans offered by state agencies.

National Trust for Historic Preservation 

America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2026

In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the National Trust for Historic Preservation released its list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, honoring eleven historic sites that bring to life the principle that all people are created equal. This year, in honor of the 250th anniversary, each site featured on the list will also receive a one-time $25,000 grant from the National Trust.

The National Preservation Law Conference 
The conference provides an in-depth look into preservation law, highlighting the most recent and influential developments. Washington, D.C., at the DC Bar and online.

October 19, 2026, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm ET

National Preservation Institute

The National Preservation Institute offers a variety of in-person, on-demand courses and webinars addressing historic preservation and cultural resource management.

Check out the 2026 In-person and Webinar Schedule

HistoriCorps
HistoriCorps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides volunteers of all skill levels with a hands-on experience preserving historic structures on public lands across America. Volunteers work with HistoriCorps field staff to learn preservation skills and put those skills to work saving historic places that have fallen into disrepair. HistoriCorps works to ensure America’s cultural and historical resources exist for generations to come.


Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities:


• Keys Ranch 
  Joshua Tree National Park
  October 25-30, and November 1-6
  
• Mendocino Woodlands State Park Camp Two Cabins
  Mendocino Woodlands Camp Association
  November 1-6, November 8-13, and November 15-20