The Southborough Historical Commission is proposing a National Register Historic District in the Main Street downtown area.

The commission is hosting a public information night about the proposal on Nov. 9 at 7:15 in the Town House. Officials from the Massachusetts Historical Commission will give a presentation on the benefits of creating a National Register Historic District.

Kate Matison, vice chairwoman of the commission, said all property owners within the proposed district will have a say in whether the proposal moves forward.

Matison said the creation of a district is strictly an honorary designation, and unlike a local historic district, it does not impose any restrictions on property owners. She said it would simply recognize the special character and significance of the Main Street area.

“The idea is not to restrict people but to stimulate community pride,’’ she said.

She said the area has a collection of historic buildings, which includes numerous 19th-century houses in Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian styles, the English parish-style St. Mark’s Church and Pilgrim Church, municipal buildings, commercial buildings, a private school, the Town Common, and the burial ground. The district has 73 properties along Main Street, extending from the railroad line at the east end to the Fay School at the west end. It would also include some properties running south along Latisquama and Middle roads.

A National Register District is part of the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register of Historic Places is the list of individual buildings, sites, structures, objects and districts deemed important in American history, culture, architecture or archaeology.

Jennifer Fenn Lefferts can be reached at jflefferts@yahoo. com.