Historic preservation officer on national board

Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer Ron James will represent Nevada and the West on a national committee to review nominations to the nation's list of historic landmarks.

James will serve as the only member from west of the Mississippi on the 10-person National Landmarks Committee of the National Park Service Advisory Board.

"Nevada and our neighboring states have many significant historic sites that warrant landmark designation," James said. "Our state and region have been underserved by this aspect of the National Park Service, and I plan to use my tenure on the committee to advocate a broader understanding of the West's role in our nation's history."

National Landmarks are buildings, sites and districts of extraordinary significance.

Landmark designation is more exclusive than the National Register of Historic Places, which honors resources of local or state significance.

Nevada has 327 buildings, sites and districts listed on the register, but only six designated National Landmarks.

Nevada's National Landmarks are Hoover Dam, Reno's Newlands Mansion, the Virginia City Landmark District, Fort Ruby in White Pine County, Fort Churchill in Lyon County and the Leonard Rock Shelter in Pershing County.

James has administered the State Historic Preservation Office since 1983.

Agency programs include the State and National Registers of Historic Places, the Historical Marker Program and an education program. The State Historic Preservation Office is also the staff of the Commission for Cultural Affairs.