City of Stillwater HPC -- HHLS Website -- About

About the Program

About Stillwater's Heirloom and Landmark Sites Program

The Heirloom and Landmark Sites Program is a joint effort of the City of Stillwater and the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) to honor property owners who maintain the historical character of their building or site. The goals of the program are to:

Acknowledge property owners who have voluntarily preserved or restored their historic home, building, or site.
Showcase historic homes on Stillwater's Heirloom Homes and Landmark Sites Program website.
Educate the general public about historic properties in Stillwater.

Help property owners learn how to preserve their historic homes by providing technical assistance that shows homeowners how to maintain the historical character of their homes while also updating them to meet the demands of the twenty-first century.
Preserve Stillwater's historic neighborhoods to ensure that the community maintains its identity and appeal as a historic river city and tourist destination.

Your Participation Means City-wide Recognition

The Heirloom and Landmark Sites Program has a website, www.ci.stillwater.mn.us, that recognizes historic homes that participate in this program by providing:

The history of Stillwater's pre-World War II neighborhoods.
Brief histories, descriptions, and exterior photographs of heirloom homes and landmarks.
Search features that allow website visitors to search heirloom homes and landmarks by neighborhood, street, address, date of construction, historical name, architectural style, architect, or builder.
Mapping features that allow website visitors to develop personalized walking and driving tours to see historic homes .
Information on how to preserve and restore historic homes.
Preservation success stories that describe the rewards and challenges of preserving and restoring a historic home.

Do You Own a Historic Heirloom Home?

As the owner of a historic home, you can apply to be part of the Heirloom Homes Program, which recognizes historic homes in Stillwater.

To become an heirloom home, a house must be located in the older part of Stillwater, have good historical integrity, and represent one of the various architectural styles of the nineteenth century or the first half of the twentieth century.

Participation in the program is entirely voluntary and a property owner can withdraw from the program at any time. There is no cost to apply, and if your home is accepted into the program, it does not involve any additional city regulations.

Why Join?

This honorary program is just one way to show your pride in owning a historic home in Stillwater. There are no economic benefits; however, you will receive a certificate to recognize your participation in the program. Additionally, technical information on how to preserve and maintain your historic house is available through the Heirloom Homes Program.

To participate in the Heirloom Homes Program, please complete the attached application form and submit it to the address listed on the form. The HPC will then review the application. If your application is accepted you may be asked to provide the history of your home to help develop a historical description to appear on the website.

If your home qualifies as an heirloom home, you will be sent a certificate of recognition for your house.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an heirloom home?
An heirloom home is a house located in the older part of Stillwater that has good historical integrity and represents the various architectural styles of the nineteenth century or the first half of the twentieth century. Although generally not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, heirloom homes should be recognized due their local historical value.

What is a landmark?
A landmark is among the most historically and architecturally significant properties in Stillwater. A landmark retains its architectural integrity and has a strong connection to the history of the city. A landmark has been designated by the City of Stillwater and may be eligible for or is already listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Which homes are eligible?
Houses constructed in the older part of Stillwater prior to World War II that retain their historical character and integrity are eligible for the Heirloom Homes Program.

Are there strings attached?
No. The Heirloom Home Program is entirely voluntary, and, as a homeowner, you may withdraw your home from the program at any time.

Why join the program?
This honorary program is just one way to show your pride in owning a historic home in Stillwater. There are no economic benefits; however, you will receive a certificate to recognize your participation in the program. Additionally, technical information on how to preserve and maintain your historic house is available through the Heirloom Home Program.

How can my I join?
Fill out and mail in the attached application form and the HPC will review your application.

	This website was developed by the City of Stillwater and City of Stillwater's Heritage Preservation Commission.
Donald Empson Empson Archives	Content for the website and final layout was completed by Donald Empson for the City of Stillwater's Heritage Preservation Commission.
Carmen Tschofen	A portion of the content for the website was completed by Carmen Tschofen for the City of Stillwater's Heritage Preservation Commission.

106group.com	A portion of the content for the website and the initial site design was completed by the 106 Group for the City of Stillwater's Heritage Preservation Commission.
Suki Thomsen	Modern photos for the website were taken by Stillwater resident and volunteer Suki Thomsen.

Project Funding

	A portion of this project was funded by the people of the City of Stillwater and the Stillwater City Council.
	A portion of this project was funded by the people of the State of Minnesota through a Minnesota Historical & Cultural Grant.
	A portion of this project was funded by the people of the United States of America with Federal funds from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, through the Minnesota Historical Society under provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act as amended..

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUNDING SUPPORT AND NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

This project has been financed in part with Federal funds from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, through the Minnesota Historical Society under provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act as amended. However the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Interior.

This program receive Federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U.S. Department of Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or handicap in its federally assisted program. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., 20240.