About the Landmarks Program

Welcome to the American Chemical Society's (ACS) National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program (NHCLP), administered by the ACS Office of Communications. Under this program, ACS grants landmark status to seminal achievements in the history of chemical science and technology. Prospective landmarks are nominated by ACS local sections, divisions, or committees: reviewed by the National Historic Chemical Landmarks Committee: and approved by the ACS Board of Directors.

To symbolize the designation of an ACS landmark, the society presents a commemorative plaque to the owner or administrator, publishes a commemorative booklet written by the Office of Communications, and provides additional information via the NHCLP website. The designation, presentation, and attendant ceremonies and publications are designed to catalyze a local outreach program, focusing public attention on the landmark.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program is to enhance the public's recognition and appreciation of the contributions of the chemical sciences and chemical engineering to modern life and to increase the sense of pride in their practitioners. The program does this by recognizing and celebrating landmark achievements of chemists, chemical engineers, and the chemical enterprise.

The goals of the NHCLP are to:

• Celebrate seminal achievements in the history of the chemical sciences.
• Raise the visibility of the program to members of the chemical enterprise and the public.

To accomplish these goals the NHCLP Committee identifies potential landmarks and ensures their historical accuracy.

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Criteria for a Landmark Designation

1. National Historic Chemical Landmarks must clearly represent seminal achievements in the history of chemistry. Landmark achievements may be discoveries, bodies of work, resources, advances, or an artifact but are not limited to these categories.
2. The achievement that is to be recognized must have occurred at least twenty-five years ago.
3. The achievement must evidence a significant impact and benefit to society and the chemical profession.

Criteria for International Designations

• International Landmarks Program

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Historical Chemical Landmarks

The American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, has declared more than 60 places, discoveries, and achievements historic chemical landmarks.

The process begins at the local level. ACS members identify milestones in their cities or regions, document their importance, and nominate them for landmark designation. An international committee of chemists, chemical engineers, museum curators, and science and technology historians evaluates each nomination and approves those meriting landmark status. For more information, e-mail us at: nhclp@acs.org.

Following is a list of landmarks starting with the most recent:

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