[MassHistPres] Local Preservation Update E-Newsletter - November 24, 2008

[Chris Skelly]

LOCAL PRESERVATION UPDATE E-NEWSLETTER

Published by the Massachusetts Historical Commission

 <http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm>
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm

November 24, 2008

 

This e-newsletter from the Massachusetts Historical Commission
Preservation Planning Division has been prepared for local historical
commissions, historic district commissions and others interested in
historic preservation activities around the state of Massachusetts.  It
is published roughly every other week.  If you have suggestions or items
of interest for this newsletter, please contact Chris Skelly at the
Massachusetts Historical Commission.  Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us

 

NEWS AT THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

This is our second issue of the Local Preservation Update e-newsletter.
As always, we welcome your thoughts on what you would like to see in
this newsletter.  

 

SURVEY AND PLANNING GRANTS

A very productive round of Survey and Planning Grants was recently
completed.  Among the projects were historic property surveys in Ayer,
Belchertown, Boston, Brookline, Groveland, Malden, Natick, Pittsfield,
Plymouth, Randolph, Sharon, Southwick, South Hadley, Walpole and Woburn.
While many of these projects were community-wide surveys, some projects
focused on particular areas or particular periods of development.
Boston focused on Charles Street and the Beacon Hill Flats.  Brookline
concentrated on recent past properties from the mid 20th Century.
Pittsfield increased their survey in two downtown residential
neighborhoods and Plymouth updated their 20 year old inventory within
their downtown local historic district.   

 

Arlington's project was a survey and assessment of the Old Burying
Ground while Kingston completed a community-wide reconnaissance
archaeological survey.  In addition, Salem prepared a city wide plan on
neighborhood architectural conservation districts and Methuen completed
a walking tour brochure for their downtown.  Many communities utilized
community preservation act funds for their local match. 

 

Pre-applications for the upcoming 2009 Survey and Planning Grants are
due by December 15, 2008.  For more information on survey and planning
grants, visit our website.  

 <http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhchpp/Surveyandplanning.htm>
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhchpp/Surveyandplanning.htm

 

WORKSHOP ON CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

The Massachusetts Historical Commission is hosting a workshop on
December 5, 2008 at 1pm for communities interested in applying for
Certified Local Government status.  The Certified Local Government
Program provides a closer integration of federal, state, and local
historic preservation activities and is recognition that a community's
municipal historic preservation program meets certain state and federal
standards.  The primary requirement is that the municipality must have a
local historic district bylaw or ordinance.  There are currently 18
Certified Local Governments in Massachusetts although many additional
municipalities are eligible to apply. One of the main benefits of
becoming a CLG is the opportunity to compete for a portion of the
federal funds annually allocated to the MHC.  These funds are delivered
to CLGs through the MHC Survey and Planning Grant Program.  At the
workshop, MHC staff will explain the application process, the benefits
of becoming a CLG and how best to maintain your CLG status.  If you
would like to attend this workshop at the Massachusetts Historical
Commission, please contact  <mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us>
Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us to register.  We look forward to seeing
you there. 

 

RECENT NATIONAL REGISTER LISTINGS

The following were recently added to the National Register of Historic
Places.  

Boston, Joshua Bates School

Boston, Ohabai Shalom Cemetery

Chesterfield, West Chesterfield Historic District

Great Barrington, Mahaiwe Block

New Bedford, Wamsutta Mills 

Salem, James Fenno House/Woman's Friend Society

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND DATES TO REMEMBER

December 3, 2008 - MPPF Grant Workshop at the MHC

December 5, 2008 - Certified Local Government Workshop at MHC

December 15, 2008 - Survey and Planning Grant Pre-Applications due at
MHC.

December 17, 2008 - MPPF Grant Workshop at the Community Music School of
Springfield

January 8, 2009 - MPPF Grant Workshop at the Millbury Public Library

January 13, 2009 - MPPF Grant Workshop at the MHC  

February 20, 2009 - MPPF Round 15 Grant Applications due at MHC.

 

HISTORIC PRESERVATION ON THE WEB

Examples of design guidelines from around the country can be found at
the National Alliance of Preservation Commission's website.
<http://www.uga.edu/napc/> http://www.uga.edu/napc/

The MHC also maintains an electronic listing of local historic district
design guidelines for Massachusetts.

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Please forward this newsletter on to others that may be interested.  If
you are receiving this as a forwarded message and would like to receive
it directly, please contact the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
The Massachusetts Historical Commission also has a listserve, known as
masshistpres, specifically for historic preservation.  You can join this
listserve by visiting
<http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres>
http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres.  This
newsletter is posted on masshistpres directly and sent to local
commission members.  

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