ABSTRACT
Historical societies were formed across the Midwest in the 19th century, and some states established professional positions and organizations prior to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). In the inaugural year of the Passport in Time (PIT) program, the US Forest Service (USFS) utilized volunteers to begin systematically evaluating prehistoric sites in the Butternut-Franklin Lakes district. Further, using Heritage Stewardship funding, the USFS contracted with Commonwealth Cultural Resources Group (CCRG) to assist annually in overseeing the Butternut-Franklin Lakes evaluations. USFS compliance with the NHPA began slowly in the Midwest and evolved as the law and regulations changed and USFS staff and their cultural resource contractors developed strategies to better comply. Midwestern states recognize the value of historic preservation to sustainability and economic development. Finally, use of Multiple Property Documentations (MPDs) for an increasing variety of sites in different regions will improve USFS efforts to evaluate and nominate resources to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
