[MassHistPres] Historic Plaques

[Deborah Bier, PhD]

Jonathan, a haystack's pretty obviously a haystack.  But what about a 
haystack that's got some HISTORY to it? Maybe something happened 
because of it (or despite it).  That would not be obvious from just 
looking at it.  Someone would have to tell you about it. Otherwise, 
it would just seem like another haystack, no?

Perhaps you (an historical commission? of course!) and your neighbors 
are conscious of the history of your houses and appreciate this 
information.  I think many are simply NOT that aware of their house's 
history -- much less the history of their neighborhood -- and the 
process of having a sign approved makes sure they get themselves a 
bit educated.

Putting up the sign can also spark conversations and curiosity with 
the neighbors. And perhaps a little research about their own homes. 
And if we're really lucky -- a little research about the PEOPLE who 
lived in/built them. Or the style of architecture, etc.

In one small neighborhood in Concord, a new homeowners requesting a 
sign researched their 19th c. working-class home very 
thoroughly....and with great reverence.  They thought about its 
builder constructing this house and others while they performed a 
renovation. One of the homeowners -- a carpenter -- felt a personal 
connection to the builder, since they were both craftsmen.  During 
the renovation, they paid tribute to him -- a stone layer -- by 
laying some stone here and there. I also suspect they will resist 
impulses to add mortar to other stone they put in in the future 
(masons used mortar; stone layers didn't, I believe).

Their research got their neighbors stirred up, and now others are 
picking up the exteriors of their homes -- and refraining from going 
vinyl...at least so far.

Maybe the process of applying for the sign is as important as the 
sign itself?  Could be in some cases...

Oh, and by the way...I got the test message, too. ;-))

best,
Debbie
Chair, Concord HC

At 7:51 PM -0500 3/30/06, Jonathan Feist wrote:
>I'm conflicted about this plaque issue.
>
>On one hand, I appreciate raising awareness of historical architecture.
>
>On the other hand, there's something about it that strikes me as being a
>little tacky. It's as if on one of Monet's haystack paintings, he wrote the
>word "Haystack" with a big arrow pointing to it.  And it's something of an
>obvious display of status, as well.
>
>This said, when I travel and see such signs, I appreciate them. But I would
>feel uncomfortable having one on my own house, and asking my neighbors to
>display them.
>
>I believe someone is going to be suggesting this program to the HHC very
>soon, so I'm interested in widespread opinions.
>
>--Jonathan
>
>===============================================
>
>Jonathan Feist, Chair
>Harvard Historical Commission
>978-772-4864 (home)
>617-747-2148 (Berklee office: Tuesdays  only)
>
>Preserve Historical Harvard, MA:
>http://www.jonathanfeist.com/Pages/HarvardPreservation.html
>
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