Predicting the 'Next Generation of Historic Places'

The public responds to a list of "40 Under 40"—places built between 1978 and 2018 bound for historic significance.

1 minute read

April 25, 2019, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Earlier this year, the staff of Preservation magazine (the publication arm of the National Trust for Historic Places) put together a list of the "most interesting, and quirkiest American places 40 years old or less," and "both well-known and obscure." The called the list the "40 Under Forty" of U.S. historic places.

Here the staff explains their thinking behind making the list:

Places typically aren’t considered historic until they’ve been around for at least 50 years, so why highlight younger sites now? Because by looking at them through a preservation lens and identifying places worthy of saving before they become truly historic, we can be proactive about their futures.

As for the 40 on the list, there's inclusions like the home and recording to studio of Prince in Minnesota; the 9-11 memorials in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia; the Atlanta BeltLine; Tilikum Crossing in Portland; and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

While the full list was announced in January, the results of a public vote to see which of the places received the most positive support from readers was announced earlier this month. The place that received the most votes: Prince's former abode, called Paisley Park and located in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

Thursday, April 25, 2019 in Preservation

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Floor-to-ceiling rotating gates at Fairmount subway station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems

SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

3 hours ago - Mass Transit

South LA Wetlands Park in Los Angeles, California.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope

Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

4 hours ago - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Intersection in downtown Sacramento, California with neoclassical building with columns on left.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects

The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.

5 hours ago - The Sacramento Bee