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Contact: SER Communications Office
National Park Service welcomes public input on draft of
American Beach National Historic Landmark Study
Public comment period runs July 24 – September 7
ATLANTA – Today, the National Park Service (NPS) opened a 45-day public comment period that will inform a National Historic Landmark (NHL) nomination for American Beach, a historic African American resort community on the Atlantic coast in north Florida.
NPS launched the American Beach National Historic Landmark Study, an effort to nominate the area as an NHL, in late 2024. The draft nomination argues that American Beach appears to meet the criteria for NHL designation. This is the only opportunity the public will have to comment before the nomination is finalized. Once finalized the nomination will be submitted to the NHL Committee for consideration. If successful, the nomination will then be forwarded to the National Park System Advisory Board who are responsible for making a recommendation to the Secretary of the Interior. Ultimately, the decision to designate a property as an NHL rests with the Secretary of the Interior.
The draft study – completed under contract by The NDN Companies, in cooperation with Stantec and Community Planning Collaborative – holistically documents the area’s integrity and significance. Approximately 65 individual resources within the study area were collectively determined to illustrate American Beach is significant as a nationally recognized space comprehensively planned by Black leaders during segregation.
Opportunity for Public Comment
The NPS welcomes public comments on the draft study. The public may submit written comments over the following questions for consideration in the study:
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Does the draft National Historic Landmark nomination for the American Beach Historic District sufficiently establish why the district is important, it’s national significance? Please tell us why or why not.
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Does the draft nomination describe the important features of the district—such as its buildings, natural landscape, and overall setting—in a way that helps tell its story? If not, what else should be included?
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Do you support the effort to nominate American Beach as a National Historic Landmark? Please share your reasons.
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Is there anything else you would like to add? Have we missed anything important that you believe should be considered?
Online (the preferred method)
Visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/AmericanBeach
Select “Open for Comment” on the left menu bar, open the “2025 American Beach Draft Study” folder and click on the green “Comment Now” button to access the online commenting form; or
By Postal Mail, send comments to:
Alesha Cerny
Attn: American Beach Study
National Park Service
100 Alabama Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Written comments on the draft study must be submitted online or be postmarked by September 7, 2025, to be considered.
For more information about the American Beach study, including the draft study, frequently asked questions and other relevant material, visit the planning website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/AmericanBeach.
About American Beach
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, Florida’s American Beach Historic District is significant as a rare example of a segregated planned ocean beach resort established by Black professionals. Founded in 1935, its history and significance is also tied to the national rise of 20th century consumerism evident in the growing spending power of African Americans to create and support Black-owned businesses. Named as the first site of the Florida Black Heritage Trail, American Beach endures through a collection of buildings, structures, and landscape features which illustrate a segregated planned ocean beach resort located on Amelia Island.
About the National Historic Landmarks Program
National Historic Landmarks are nationally significant historic places that have exceptional abilities to illustrate and interpret American cultural heritage. The National Historic Landmarks Program, established in 1935, is administered by the National Park Service on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior and is responsible for helping to preserve and protect the almost 2,600 NHLs in the United States. The agency works with preservation officials, private property owners, and other partners interested in nominating properties for National Historic Landmark designation. The program provides states and local communities with technical assistance, recognition, and funding to help preserve our nation’s shared history and create close-to-home recreation opportunities.
Franklintown Community Church at American Beach NPS Photo
The Guzman House at American Beach NPS Photo
Last updated: July 23, 2025