National Register Review Board
Members of Florida's National Register Review Board
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the regulations that guide federal historic preservation programs require each state to have a state review board in addition to a State Historic Preservation Officer and a professional staff with expertise in historic preservation.
The National Register Review Board exists to review proposed National Register nominations and determine if a nomination:
- meets the National Register Criteria for Evaluation in regards to age, significance and integrity
- is well researched and documented with sufficient information to support an argument for significance and integrity
By a vote on each nomination, the board will recommend to the State Historic Preservation Officer to either approve and forward the proposed National Register nomination to the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, or to disapprove the nomination because it does not meet the National Register Criteria or it is insufficiently researched or documented.
Per Chapter 267.0612, Florida Statutes, the Florida National Register Review Board consists of five professionals from across the state with backgrounds in architecture, architectural history, history, historic archaeology, and prehistoric archaeology, who serve on a volunteer basis. The board members are drawn from the Florida Historical Commission, are appointed by the governor, and have a demonstrated interest in historic preservation.
Past Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes
Draft Agenda for the 02/06/2024 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Draft Minutes of the 11/02/2023 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Agenda for the 11/02/2023 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Draft Minutes of the 08/03/2023 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Agenda for the 08/03/2023 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Draft Minutes of the 06/16/2023 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Agenda for the 06/16/2023 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Draft Minutes of the 02/02/2023 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Agenda for the 02/02/2023 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Draft Minutes of the 01/19/2023 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Agenda for the 01/19/2023 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Draft Minutes of the 08/04/2022 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Agenda for the 11/4/2021 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Draft Minutes of the 8/5/2021 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Agenda for the 11/7/2019 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Draft Minutes of the 8/8/2019 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Agenda for the 8/8/2019 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Minutes of the 5/23/2019 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Agenda for the 5/23/2019 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Minutes of the 2/7/2019 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Agenda for the 2/7/2019 National Register Review Board Meeting (.pdf)
Board Member Biographies
Dr. Judith Bense
(Prehistoric Archaeologist)
Pensacola, FL
Dr. Judy Bense, a native of northwest Florida, is an archaeologist and has been at the University of West Florida (UWF) since 1980. She is the founder of the Anthropology program, Archaeology Institute and Florida Public Archaeology Network at UWF. Dr. Bense served as President of UWF from 2008 to 2016, and has now returned to the faculty. She specializes in northwest Florida archaeology and is the author of four research books and two public archaeology books plus scores of articles and book chapters. She is a founding member of the Florida Historical Commission and previously served as its chair from 2002-2008.
Dr. Michael Francis
(Historian)
St. Petersburg, FL
Michael Francis is a Professor of History and holds the Hough Family Chair of Florida Studies in the University of South Florida’s College of Arts and Sciences. He serves on the University of Florida’s Historic St. Augustine Commission and has previously served on the Florida Historical Commission. Francis earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Alberta and a PhD in Spanish American History from the University of Cambridge.
Mr. Rick Gonzalez, AIA
(Preservation Architect)
West Palm Beach, FL
Rick Gonzalez, AIA, founded REG Architects, Inc., with his father Ricardo in 1988. Rick holds two architectural degrees from the Catholic University of America and has studied design in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Italy. He was Chairman of the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design, and is actively involved with community organizations such as the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation and the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. His association with high-profile projects like Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club, the 1916 Palm Beach County Historic Courthouse, and "The Harriet" at City Place, has led the firm to numerous awards for historic preservation and downtown redevelopment.
Ms. Kathleen Kauffman
(Architectural Historian)
Gainesville, FL
Kathleen Kauffman is a Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Gainesville. Previously, she was a principal at KSK Preservation, Historic Preservation Chief for Miami-Dade County, Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Miami and Executive Director of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. Kauffman earned her bachelor’s degree in historic preservation from Mary Washington College and her master’s degree in historic preservation from the University of Florida.
Dr. Clifford E. Smith, Jr., RPA
(Historical Archaeologist)
Venice, FL
Dr. Clifford E. Smith was hired by the City of Sarasota on December 26, 2006, to develop a historic preservation program, to promote historic preservation within the city, and to be a resource to the public interested in historic preservation. He currently serves as a member of the Historic Preservation Board for Sarasota County, a member of the Coalition for Historic Preservation, and Chairman of the Board for the Sarasota Municipal Employees Credit Union. In his previous position, Dr. Smith was Deputy Director of the Bermuda Maritime Museum - Chief of Operations and charged with the restoration of the 19th century museum buildings, the fort's six and a half acres grounds, and its battlements. As the Museum's Director of Archaeology and Conservation, he was responsible for a number of projects both on land and underwater completing Phase I surveys through Phase III excavations on sites dating from the 17th to the 19th century. These projects were used as training opportunities for the hundreds of students, interns, and volunteers that went through the various programs offered. In addition to historic restoration and archaeological projects; Dr. Smith often acted as a consultant to the British Government, Bermuda Government, and the West End Development Corporation to address their Historic, Archaeological, and Conservation issues.
