The Village of Riverside has received an official approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior to expand its National Historic Landmark status, which recognizes its historical and architectural significance.
On Dec. 11, 2023, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland wrote a letter approving the updated documentation for the historic district in Riverside. The letter stated that the decision was made after careful study by the National Park Service, extensive opportunities for public involvement, and review and recommendation by the National Park System Advisory Board.
National Historic Landmarks are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, making them eligible for the safeguards and benefits provided by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and other federal laws protecting historic properties1
The Village of Riverside was designated a historic landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior in 1970, becoming one of the first planned communities in the nation to receive this honor. However, the original boundaries of the NHL did not include the entire village, leaving out some areas that were also part of the original design by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also designed Central Park in New York City.
The new boundaries will include the area west of 1st Avenue, on the north by Ridgewood Road, and on the west by Golf Road. This will encompass the entire village, which is known for its distinctive landscape design, curvilinear streets, and historic buildings.
“It was just a great honor to be asked to help the village get this designation,” said Lisa Lambros, the chairwoman of the landscape advisory commission, which worked with the preservation commission and the historical commission to prepare the updated documentation.
During a recent board meeting, president Douglas Pollock thanked the commissions for their help in the approval process. Trustee Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga, who is also a liaison to the landscape advisory commission, said that the boundary extension and recognition of the entire village was a great honor.
“The Landscape Advisory Commission is taking a special look at this new area in the coming years to ensure consistency with the other planting areas within the rest of the village,” Marsh-Ozga said. “Having the protection of the national landmark designation, which carries with it a higher level of scrutiny for any federal projects that come through as to the impacts and effects on the area, is going to be a great protection.”
The designation means that Riverside has a high level of national significance and contributes to the understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of the United States. It also means that Riverside can benefit from various preservation incentives, such as grants, tax credits, technical assistance, and protection from adverse effects of federal actions.