[MassHistPres] DCR Historic Curatorship inquiry and Program Press Release

[Allen, Kevin (DCR)]

Anne - DCR owns the properties and we manage the program - However the
MHC has review authority since it is a state owned property and is very
involved in the development of the rehabilitation plan.  They must
approve all plans, at the onset of the program and if and when any
changes to the original plan arise...Please see the press release below
-- 

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION TO
SOLICIT INTEREST IN THE REHABILITATION AND REUSE OF SIX
HISTORIC PROPERTIES

DCR's Historic Curatorship Program begins active marketing campaign
to find private citizens to rehabilitate historic gems
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has
begun actively seeking interest in the agency's Historic Curatorship
program, through which outside parties rehabilitate, reuse, and maintain
a historic property in return for credit toward a long-term lease.

Six unique historic properties are currently being marketed for
curatorship. They are the Smith Farmhouse in Borderland State Park in
Easton, the Coachman's Complex in Maudslay State Park in Newburyport,
the Harlow Farmhouse in Ellisville Harbor State Park in Plymouth, the
Lamson House in Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield, the former
Headquarters House in Beartown State Forest in Monterey, and Bascom
Lodge in Mt. Greylock State Reservation in Adams. These properties are
all sited in some of the Commonwealth's most beautiful natural settings.

This is DCR's first active marketing effort in five years for the
Historic Curatorship Program, which was established in 1994, and it
marks the renewal of the program, for which a full-time manager was
hired last December. So far, nine properties have been rehabilitated
under the Curatorship Program in locations across the state, from the
mountains of Berkshire County to the urban streets of Dorchester, from
the banks of the Merrimack River in Lowell to the forests of Foxboro.
Current uses for those properties include single family residences,
artist lofts, a nonprofit group, and a for-profit events and overnight
facility. Historic Curatorships are a win-win situation for the
curator/tenants, as well as for DCR and the citizens of the
Commonwealth, who benefit from the improved park and forest facilities.

"The Historic Curatorship Program demonstrates an innovative and
entrepreneurial approach to preserving the history and culture of our
park system," said DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. DCR's
Historic Curatorship Program is one of only a handful in the country and
is among the most successful. Within the thousands of acres of forests
and parks in the Commonwealth are a number of historically significant
buildings with enormous potential for reuse. Without direct public
funding, however, many of these mansions, houses, and cottages have
fallen prey to the elements and vandalism. The Historic Curatorship
Program was established to address the problem of deferred maintenance
through the formation of public-private partnerships. Since the
program's inception, nearly $5 million of private funds have been
leveraged toward the restoration of some of the Commonwealth's most
significant historic properties.

The program requires that the reuses of these significant properties be
compatible with the surrounding community while enhancing the visitor's
experience of the public park. Curators are chosen based on a number of
criteria, including the overall quality of their proposal, their
experience in restoration and historic preservation, their financial
resources, and the public benefits and environmentally sustainable
building practices they will incorporate.

The New York Times and WBZ-TV (Ch. 4) both featured DCR's Curatorship
Program in recent months. The New York Times described participation in
the program as "the pleasure of bringing an abandoned landmark back to
life, freedom from mortgage payments, and the chance to live in the kind
of home that would otherwise be out of reach ."

The first step in the new marketing campaign is releasing what is called
a Request for Expressions of Interest, to gauge public interest in the
program. Based on the results of this solicitation, DCR will issue a
Request for Responses, which describes the submission requirements and
provides detailed information on the property, including an assessment
of its current condition and cost estimates to rehabilitate it.
Interested parties then can submit a proposal for review by DCR.
Successful proposals outline a viable reuse concept, public benefit,
rehabilitation approach, and implementation schedule, and demonstrate
relevant experience and sound financial qualifications for tenancy.

More details DCR's Historic Curatorship Program, as well as electronic
copies of the Request for Expressions of Interest, are located on the
DCR website at mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/curator/index.htm. For hard
copies of these documents, or more information on the Historic
Curatorship Program, send an e-mail to or call 617-626-1361. 


Kevin M. Allen
Historic Curatorship Program Manager
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
251 Causeway St., Boston, MA
617-626-1361

-----Original Message-----
From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Cupfish Cupfish
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 7:27 AM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Preservation program run by Dept of Conservation
andRec?
 
This article appeared on the Channel 5 website:
 
BOSTON -- It sounds like a renter's dream -- living free in one of six
historic mansions in some of the toniest communities in Massachusetts. 
Here's the hitch. Anyone interested needs to dole out lots of time,
money and elbow grease. 
While structurally sound, the homes -- including a 1903 shingle-style
manor in Newburyport -- are in desperate need of repair. One family
spent 10 years and $1.5 million fixing up a similar property. 
 
The homes are part of a program run by the Massachusetts Department of
Conservation and Recreation designed to save historic sites before they
crumble. 
The repairs can include replacing a roof, installing new heating and
plumbing systems, patching holes in walls and removing lead paint. <end>
 
 
I am curious:  why wouldn't this fall under MHC's domain?  
Anne Kornitsky
Oakham