[MassHistPres] Name Change

[Boston Affiliates]

Matthew,

Thank you! You just saved this English major, and  probably a lot of 
others, the effort, and said it better than I could have! And I think it 
behooves all of us to keep it as straight as we can - it's confusing enough 
to the public as it is, as Kristi points out. As I recall, that, along with 
the variations all over the country, is why we chose to name it the 
"National Alliance of Preservation Commissions."

Polly Harrell

----------


Pauline Chase-Harrell, President
Boston Affiliates, Inc.
156 Milk Street
Boston, MA 02109
617-451-9450
(f)617-451-6475
BostonAffiliates at verizon.net
(c)617-909-3016

At 09:49 AM 3/5/07, Matthew B. Bronski wrote:
>My understanding of the distinction between "historic" and "historical"
>is quite different than that previously stated.
>
>When modifying a noun (whether a building, event, object, or whatever),
>that is itself historic (has significance in history) one uses the
>adjective "historic."  Hence, the common and proper use of the term
>"Historic District Commission" - the adjective "historic" modifies the
>noun district, and the district is in and of itself historic.
>
>When modifying a noun that is NOT in and of itself historic, but which
>relates to things historic, one uses the adjective "historical".  Hence,
>the common and proper use of the term "Historical Commission" - the noun
>"Commission" (e.g., the group of people currently serving) is not in and
>of itself historic, but the Commission relates to things historic (it
>oversees and protects them, etc.)  Hence "historical" is the proper
>adjective in "Historical Commission".
>
>Consequently, it's not really possible to set strict rules saying that
>certain nouns (buildings, objects, etc.) are always either "historic" or
>'historical".
>
>For example, while the vast majority of buildings we might deal with on
>our Commissions are "historic" rather than "historical", a very recent
>reconstruction of a demolished historic building would not be "historic"
>at all, but is arguably "historical", as it relates to something
>historic.  Similarly, with objects, an original Gutenberg Bible is an
>"historic" object (book), while a recent novel set against the backdrop
>of significant events in history is often termed an "historical" novel
>in the literary trades.   "Historic" would not be appropriate in the
>latter case, because the object (book) itself is not historic, it only
>relates to something historic (through the subject matter).
>
>-Matthew Bronski,
>Winchester Historical Commission &
>Boston Society of Architects Historic Resources Committee
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
>[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Jill Fisher
>Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2007 3:43 PM
>To: KristiChase at post.harvard.edu; cmcarl at mindspring.com;
>sw.pelton at verizon.net
>Cc: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
>Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Name Change
>
>Just a reminder:  "Historic" is used in reference to buildings,
>structures,
>objects & "Historical" used for persons and events.  In which case, I
>believe Historic is more appropriate for commissions that are dealing
>primarily with the preservation of buildings.
>
>Jill Fisher, AICP
>Principal Planner
>Larson Fisher Associates, Inc.
>Historic Preservation & Planning Services
>PO Box 1394
>Woodstock, NY  12498
>845-679-5054
>jillfisher47 at hotmail.com
>
>www.larsonfisher.com
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: "Kristi Chase" <KristiChase at post.harvard.edu>
> >Reply-To: KristiChase at post.harvard.edu
> >To: <cmcarl at mindspring.com>, "Suzanne W. Pelton"
><sw.pelton at verizon.net>
> >CC: Masshistpres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> >Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Name Change
> >Date: Sat, 03 Mar 2007 21:24:23 -0500
> >
> >We frequently take calls for the Historical Society from people that
>mean
> >the Historical Commission or vice versa.  I personally don't think it
> >matters very much.  I believe the distinctions really lie between
> >"Societies" which are private organizations vs. "Commissions or Boards"
> >which are governmental.  Most people do not recognize any difference
> >between
> >them.
> >
> >Kristi Chase
> >Somerville HPC
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
> >[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu]On Behalf Of Carol Carlson
> >Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2007 7:05 PM
> >To: Suzanne W. Pelton
> >Cc: Masshistpres
> >Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Name Change
> >
> >
> >Suzanne:
> >Bedford changed the name of the Historical Commission to the Historic
> >Preservation Commission a few years back.  The only problem I have seen
> >is when you use the initials - HDC and HPC. Confusing to many.   But if
> >you are using Lenox Preservation Commission (LPC) that should work
>fine.
> >I believe the change of name went on the Warrant for Annual Town
> >Meeting, where we got to hear the reasons pro and con, and vote.
> >
> >Yes, I quite understand that most folks in town don't know the
> >difference between the three groups.  I hope your newly-named
>commission
> >helps.
> >
> >Carol Carlson
> >Bedford HDC
> >
> >Suzanne W. Pelton wrote:
> >
> > >The Lenox Historical Commission wishes to change its name.
> > >
> > >We have these three committees:
> > >
> > >Historic District Commission
> > >Historical Commission
> > >Historical Society
> > >
> > >Most people in town would be hard pressed to tell the difference
> > >between them, so we're thinking of changing our name to
> > >Lenox Preservation Commission.
> > >
> > >I think I read some time ago that some other towns have done this.
> > >1 Can you tell me how this is done?
> > >2 Advantages/disadvatages is any?
> > >
> > >Suzanne Pelton
> > >Secretary
> > >******************************