[MassHistPres] Town Common Policy

[Tucker, Jonathan]

One thing to remember is that a genuine ancient common is more than just
the surviving (usually mid-late 19th century) greensward-the common is
the entire ancient way, out to the edges of the original highway and
including the subsequent roadways and other improvements.  Unlike 19th
century "greens", for the original settlers genuine commons were shared
utilitarian space (explicitly including roads as well as enclosed
grazing, mustering grounds, and locations for common wells,
meetinghouses, burying grounds, and other shared facilities).  Many
commons have retained both most of their original property extent and
some of their original purposes, despite a veneer of gentrifying,
ornamental 19th century park-making.  Be careful not to focus your
preservation efforts only on the later, shallower layer of 19th century
park history on your commons.  Be sure to try to preserve their original
18th or early 19th century "common" purposes, as well. 

 

Jonathan Tucker

Planning Director

Amherst Planning Department

4 Boltwood Avenue, Town Hall

Amherst, MA  01002

(413) 259-3040

tuckerj at amherstma.gov    

 

 

 

From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of V. Adams
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:12 PM
To: Joyce Anderson
Cc: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Town Common Policy

 

The book, On Common Ground by Ronald Lee Fleming and Lauri A. Halderman
provides very useful background and information regarding town greens
and commons. Specific chapters address items such as memorials and
statuary. The Reading Historical Commission developed guidelines
encouraging retention of a greensward with minimal intrusion and must
continually educate against encroachment. Good Luck. 

Virginia Adams, member of Reading Historical Commission 

 

On Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at 07:44 PM, Joyce Anderson wrote: 

	 

	  

	 

	  

	 

	The Princeton Historical Commission is interested in developing
a policy for our town common which is part of the Princeton Center NHR
District and other publicly owned land in Princeton. This policy should
cover donations of memorials and their appropriateness. Does any town
have such a policy, and if so, would you please share it with the
Princeton Historical Commission? 

	 

	Thank you, 

	 

	Joyce Anderson, chairperson, Princeton Historical Commission 

	 

	  

	 

	  

	 

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