[MassHistPres] Preservation Assistance for Tornado Affected Communities

[Erin Kelly]

 Good Aftenoon,

On behalf of Preservation Massachusetts, we wanted to update our
preservation colleagues and partners about the ongoing efforts to bring
preservation assistance to the towns affected by last week's devastating
tornadoes. Many towns, including Monson and Springfield, sustained
incredible that included many historic resources and structures.

Since the tornadoes, Preservation Massachusetts and our Western Mass Circuit
Rider Michele Barker have been trying to gather information on damage, needs
and what resources exist to help these communities.  On Tuesday we convened
our statewide preservation coalition and a group of state and federal
agencies on a conference call to discuss how to aid these affected
communities in relief efforts.  It was clear that there is a great need to
assess the extent of damage to their historic resources and slowing down the
rush to demolish buildings before they are properly assessed and evaluated.



Before FEMA and other federal initiatives can be mobilized, the state needs
to know exactly how much damage has been done in order to reach a certain
threshold that will then allow the Governor to petition the President for a
disaster declaration. Once a disaster declaration is in place, federal
resources and aid can then begin to flow into these communities.



As a result of the meeting, Preservation Massachusetts has committed to
assisting these communities with assessing and evaluating the damage
incurred to their historic buildings, resources, museum collections, etc. Many
of these towns do not have the expertise to evaluate damaged historic
structures or even know where to begin in the process.   We have begun a
"call for expert volunteers" willing to help communities assess the damage
to their historic resources, as well as connecting with town boards and
others in cautioning against a rush to demolition of damaged historic
buildings before they are evaluated or a disaster declaration is issued.
MEMA has issued a statement to this extent as well.



Our organization is in close communication with other disaster and emergency
management agencies (including MEMA, COSTEP, FEMA) and other preservation
organizations (Massachusetts Historical Commission, the National Trust for
Historic Preservation, Springfield Preservation Trust, etc.) and hope to
have some coordinated assistance efforst in the field as soon as possible.





PM will remain dedicated to working with the affected communities through
our main office and our Western MA. circuit rider.  We will also be posting
relevant updates and links to pertiant information (possible sources of
funding, ways you can help, etc.)  on our website and will continue to be a
conduit for critial information for the affeceted communities throughout the
comming days and weeks as the efforts to evaluate and eventually, rebuild
and restore, get underway.



Please visit our website (www.preservationmass.org) for contact information
or to find ways you can help.



Thank you very much.





-- 
*Erin D.A. Kelly
*Assistant Director
Preservation Massachusetts
Old City Hall, 45 School Street
Boston, MA 02108
617-723-3383

Visit Preservation Massachusetts online!
www.preservationmass.org






-- 
*Erin D.A. Kelly
*Assistant Director
Preservation Massachusetts
Old City Hall, 45 School Street
Boston, MA 02108
617-723-3383

Visit Preservation Massachusetts online!
www.preservationmass.org
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