National Register of Historic Places are historic properties worthy of preservation because of “a quality of significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture…in districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects that possess location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association…with events that contributed to broad patterns of our history, with lives of significant individuals, with distinctive styles of architecture, or with information important to history or prehistory.”

• Listing on the National Register, which was established in 1966, does not preclude changes to a building or its demolition, but it does encourage preservation. In Connecticut approximately 32,000 such resources in more than 140 towns are listed on the National Register. In Greenwich there are 19 properties listed including houses, churches, bridges, mills, municipal buildings, a lighthouse, railroad stations and a parkway. In addition to individual properties, there are six historic districts and each contains many properties.
  
• Some properties on the National Register are given the added status of National Historic Landmark for outstanding cultural or architectural importance. Greenwich has one property with this designation, the Bush-Holley House in Cos Cob, which was awarded this distinction for its association with American Impressionist painting. Restrictions apply.