Sponsors (2)
The bill promotes preservation, scholarship, and local economic opportunities through federal study and recognition of historic resources, while creating the risk of new land‑use restrictions and modest public or donor-funded costs to support and maintain those protections.
Local communities, visitors, and local governments would gain a formal federal study and recognition that could drive heritage tourism and federal support for conservation and tourism development.
Nonprofit stewards (Canterbury Shaker Village, Inc.) would have a strengthened claim and institutional support to preserve land, buildings, and archives intact for the long term.
Communities in the study area would see increased preservation of historic sites and cultural resources if designation follows, protecting landscape and heritage values.
Private landowners, homeowners, nonprofits, and local governments could face additional management requirements or restrictions if designation occurs, limiting land use and development options.
Taxpayers and private donors could incur costs for maintaining and preserving a larger historic site or cultural landscape, creating ongoing funding obligations.
The required federal study would use Interior Department resources and staff time, representing a modest upfront cost to taxpayers and agency capacity.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Requires the Interior Secretary to study the suitability and feasibility of designating Canterbury Shaker Village as a National Heritage Area.
Official title: Authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the Canterbury Shaker Village National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 15, 2025 by Margaret Wood Hassan · Last progress September 15, 2025
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study whether the Canterbury Shaker Village National Historic Landmark in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, should be designated a National Heritage Area. The study must be done in consultation with state and local preservation offices, historical societies, tourism offices, and other appropriate organizations and must follow the statutory requirements for National Heritage Area studies. The bill defines key terms, summarizes the historical significance of the Canterbury Shaker Village site, and sets the geographic study area as the National Historic Landmark boundary; it does not itself create a heritage area or provide funding for a designation beyond conducting the study.