[MassHistPres] DCR Historic Curatorship inquiry and Program PressRelease

[Anne Forbes]

Mass. DCR is to be applauded for this program, which aspires both to 
preserve buildings located on properties under their management and to bring 
them back to useful life without placing an unwelcome burden on state 
taxpayers.  As we have seen recently on this list-serve, historic buildings 
on properties under the control of some other state agencies have not been 
so fortunate.  Let's all follow their progress closely, giving them support 
when needed, and hope that the Historic Curatorship Program can provide a 
model to inspire similar efforts throughout the state.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Allen, Kevin (DCR)" <Kevin.Allen at state.ma.us>
To: <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 10:47 AM
Subject: [MassHistPres] DCR Historic Curatorship inquiry and Program 
PressRelease


> 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
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