LATINOS IN HERITAGE CONSERVATION
THE LATINX EQUITY STUDY
Advancing Inclusion in Historic Preservation
Since the start of the preservation movement in the United States, communities of color have largely been marginalized. Latinos in Heritage Conservation's Equity Study aims to address this historical marginalization and to evaluate the progress made towards inclusivity since the launch of the National Park Service’s American Latinos and the Making of the United States: A Theme Study in 2011.
The study focuses on identifying best practices and addressing ongoing gaps in the representation of Latinx communities on the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, the research is crucial today, as there are renewed efforts at the federal level to reduce funding and further marginalize these important narratives. This exclusion and erasure from the nation's narrative called for the need to conduct the present research, to examine the progress made toward greater inclusion since the launch of NPS's study.
Phase 1 of Study
The study occupies three (3) phases. Phase 1 started with a survey, conducted to understand Latinx sites on the National Register and the challenges in their inclusion, following a 2014 survey by LHC's Executive Director, Sehila Mota Casper.
Using a mixed-methods approach, it sought to identify federally designated sites honoring Latinx heritage, such as National Parks and Historic Landmarks. The survey also investigated resources for diversity initiatives, including outreach and programming for the Latinx community, as well as funding for Latinx programming and Underrepresented Communities Grants from the National Park Service.
National Register Deterrents
Age of Properties
While some sites have been identified as being significant to Latinx culture, they are less than 50 years old and therefore ineligible. Prolonging their nomination places them at risk of being lost.
Integrity
Current interpretations of integrity deem sites altered by natural disasters and climate change to be ineligible for listing.
Language
Involvement has been limited within the community due to a lack of materials translated into Spanish. As some SHPOs work to translate these materials, sharing those documents across the country could be beneficial.
Next Steps:
Phase II and III
Phase II will focus on identifying effective outreach strategies, supporting engagement with communities historically excluded from the National Register process, and exploring additional sources of funding.
Phase III, expected to conclude by early 2026, will expand outreach to State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs), nonprofits, architectural firms, contractors, and community organizations to examine how “integrity” is defined and applied in preservation. Findings will inform policy recommendations to make the nomination process more inclusive.
Be sure to keep an eye on our Opportunities page for an upcoming position that will be in charge of conducting these aforementioned phases in our study.