[MassHistPres] Preservation Assistance for Tornado Affected Communities

[Tristram Metcalfe 3]

Erin

I went to the web site and found no place asking for tornado damage  
evaluation volunteers so i will do so here.

Additionally I would hope all architects on this list who have the  
opportunity to volunteer also can do so.

If there is one thing I've seen over and over in my 40+ year career  
architecturally registered including the decade prior to it,, it is  
that in this country we destroy first and hardly ask questions later,  
and this does not require much if any deterioration.

It may be from our frontier conquest mentality to ever expand  
outward, replace existing and build all new, but the lack of public  
awareness certainly allows it to continue.

Tris Metcalfe


Tristram W. Metcalfe III,   AIA  NCARB  NY MA CT
142  Main St. Northampton, Mass. 01060
E <twm3 at metcalfe-architecture.com>
P 413.586.5775 C 413.695.8200
Alt.E < twm3 at rcn.com >

http://www.wmaia.org/metcalfe/metcalfe_associates.html







On Jun 9, 2011, at 12:43 PM, Erin Kelly wrote:

> 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
>
>
>
> ******************************
> For administrative questions regarding this list, please contact  
> Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly.  PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO  
> THE WHOLE LIST.
> MassHistPres mailing list
> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
> ********************************


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/private/masshistpres/attachments/20110609/6139bd47/attachment-0001.htm>