About the Kentucky Heritage Council

An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Heritage Council (KHC) serves as the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), responsible for the identification, protection and preservation of prehistoric resources and historic buildings, sites and cultural resources throughout the Commonwealth. The council is governed by a 16-member board appointed by the governor to four-year terms.

KHC programs include:

finding, surveying and documenting historic buildings and sites;
making nominations to the National Register of Historic Places;
administering federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credit programs;
archaeological research and education;
reviewing impacts of federal projects as mandated through Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA);
working with local governments and preservation commissions, conducting preservation education and planning, and administering the Certified Local Government (CLG) Program in partnership with the National Park Service;
administering the Kentucky Main Street Program;
and providing administrative support to the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission, Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission, Kentucky Military Heritage Commission and Perryville Battlefield Commission.

Since 1966, KHC has partnered with local, state and federal agencies, preservation organizations, local governments and interested citizens to fulfill our mission - which is integral to making communities more livable and has a far-ranging impact on issues as diverse as economic development, jobs creation, heritage tourism, affordable housing, community revitalization, environmental conservation and quality of life.