The historic 17th century Barn House in Chilmark has been approved by the Massachusetts Historical Commission for a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

“The Massachusetts Historical Commission is dedicated to preserving the Commonwealth’s rich historic, architectural, archaeological and cultural resources,” secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin said in a statement released last month. “Inclusion of Barn House in the National Register will help preserve this reflection of Martha’s Vineyard’s heritage.”

The South Road house dates back to 1690 and is nestled in the heart of agrarian Chilmark on 43 acres of rolling hills, overlooking Lucy Vincent Beach. Formerly known as the Skiff-Mayhew-Vincent house, Barn House was home to a number of patron Vineyard families, and later in the early 1900s became a retreat for writers, artists and social activists. In 1919 a group of friends bought the property and formed a communal colony that still thrives today.

If the nomination is approved, the compound will be the first place in Chilmark to be named to the national historic register, and will join other Vineyard landmarks such as the Gay Head Cliffs, the village of Edgartown, the Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs and the five Island lighthouses.

A decision is expected at the end of the month.