Talk:James K. Polk Ancestral Home

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	This article is within the scope of the National Register of Historic Places WikiProject, a collaborative effort to improve Wikipedia's coverage of listings on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
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[edit] State Historic Site

Property is not a "National Historic Site," meaning operated by the National Park Service as a congressionally-designated National Historic Site, but is a state-owned site operated by a local association. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and listed as a National Historic Landmark, but "National Historic Site" has a specific meaning that does not apply here. The property is owned by the State of Tennessee under the auspices of the Tennessee Historical Commission.--Spewey 00:42, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

Even so, "State Historic Site" isn't how it's described. It may be state-owned, but as the only home of one of the (arguably) greatest presidents, it's a place of national importance (rather than a site of state importance, like, say, Buford Ellington's residence might be). I'd suggest either "James K. Polk National Historic Landmark" or "James K. Polk Ancestral Home", the name used on the sign outside and the website. (Update: Since none of the other NHLs use the term in their article title, I've gone with the latter.) ProhibitOnions ^(T) 08:38, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

That works fine. "Ancestral Home" is the official title, though I was reluctant to use it as most users wouldn't really understand it. Of course, the only "ancestors" that lived there were Polk's parents.

A "National Historic Site" is federally designated by an act of Congress, and are generally units of the National Park Service; examples would be Martin van Buren National Historic Site and Jimmy Carter National Historic Site and Preservation District. It's a very specific designation. National Landmark designation is conferred by the National Park Service directly. It's a designation, and not, as you note, a part of a site's name.--Spewey 15:17, 27 July 2007 (UTC)