[MassHistPres] MA Association of Historic Preservation Commissions

Tue May 17 11:15:43 EDT 2011

Yes, this was within Alan Schwartz's tenure. And I also recall that the
coursework began to be offered once the statewide conference no longer
filled that need.
Sally

>>> Dennis De Witt <djd184 at verizon.net> 5/17/2011 11:09 AM >>>
Sally

I don't have a good grasp of Preservation Mass history, but don't I
recall that those courses began after  MHC stopped doing conferences --
which was maybe 10 years ago or a bit less. 

I seem to recall that HMI (Historic Mass. INC.), as it was under Alan
Swartz back in the '80s, was very active and useful.  After he left in
the early-90s, for some reason it dropped off my personal radar (and
other people's I think too) until its reincarnation ca. 2000 -- if my
timing is right.

When you say "this type of organization was specifically developed
within the old Historic Massachusetts" are you referring back to Alan's
time?

As noted below, I'm not pushing for doing something within Preservation
mass specifically.  But there is something to be said for not having to
re-invent the non-profit wheel if a suitable one can be found to partner
with.

Dennis

On May 17, 2011, at 10:28 AM, Zimmerman Sally wrote:

Just as a "historical" factoid, many years ago, this type of
organization was specifically developed within the old Historic
Massachusetts. It later morphed into the the Committee on Historic
Districts and Historical Commissions within PresMass. As has been noted
here earlier, the Preservation 101, etc. courses that were offered
within PresMass were the work of this commitee. 
Sally Zimmerman

Sally Zimmerman
Manager of Historic Preservation Services
Historic Homeowner Program
185 Lyman Street
Waltham, MA 02452-5645
New Phone Contact: 
(617) 994-6644 Direct

>>> Dennis De Witt <djd184 at verizon.net> 5/17/2011 10:05 AM >>>
Chris et al

I have spent the last several years as part of a dedicated group that
has invested thousands of hours in starting up a new non-profit
organization and facing all of the issues Chris has listed below.  

I would strongly suggest that starting a sperate, free standing entity
might be considered only after having explored the possibility of
establishing something under the umbrella of an existing organization. 

The most obvious such organization that immediately comes to my mind
would be Preservation Mass, altho there might well be others worth
considering.

Best regards,

Dennis J De Witt, Vice-Chairman
Metropolitan Waterworks Museum, Inc.
2450 Beacon St.
Boston, Massachusetts 02467 

Overlooking the Chestnut Hill Reservoir

dennis.dewitt at waterworksmuseum.org
phone 617-566-3196
cell 617-620-9776

On May 17, 2011, at 9:12 AM, Chris Skelly wrote:

Hi all,

I’ve appreciated seeing the responses to Brian Lever’s posting
regarding the formation of statewide association of historical
commissions and historic district commissions.  If there is a critical
mass of people around the state interested in forming a statewide
association, then I think we should all get together for a brainstorming
session.  The interest on the listserve for this concept was there but
so far not hugely so.  Right now, I think we need more people to express
their support and energy for this idea. 

If we could get 20-30 people in a room (or online actually), with
various backgrounds such as:
1.       Experience forming a non-profit organization
2.       Website Development
3.       Fundraising (although I think a low budgeted organization
could do a lot)
4.       Grant Writing
5.       Education
6.       Marketing
7.       Public Relations
8.       Academia
9.       Not sure what else but I’m sure you can think of others
Then, I think this could take off really fast.  I fully believe that
for historic preservation to move forward some kind of association is
essential.  Maybe we at least need to keep this conversation active on
the listserve to draw out more people.  Chris.

Christopher C. Skelly
Director of Local Government Programs
Massachusetts Historical Commission
220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125
Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm
*******Stay Informed on Historic Preservation Topics by joining the
MassHistPres Email List.
Visithttp://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres for more
information. ******Contact MHC for more information on regional training
workshops and educational DVDs for Local Historical Commissions and
Historic District Commissions. ******The Local Preservation Update is
MHC's bi-weekly e-newsletter.  For more information on any of the above,
please contact me. 

From: liv1946 at gmail.com
To: blever3043 at aol.com
Sent: 5/14/2011 9:44:36 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: [MassHistPres] Historical / District Commission member group

great idea....what can we do to help?
Olivia Mausel
for the Holyoke Historical Commission
On Thu, May 12, 2011 at 10:28 AM, Blever3043 <blever3043 at aol.com>
wrote:

Hi All, 

I’m wondering if there is interest in forming an association of local
historic preservation commissions.  Lots of other boards, committees and
commissions such as conservation commissions, zoning boards of appeal,
planning boards, health boards, school committees and so on have
organized themselves into statewide associations.   As statewide
non-profit organizations, they have a strong voice, educate their
members on various topics, hold annual conferences and advocate for
their cause.  This listserve is a great forum for discussion, but local
commissions need a stronger collective voice.  Its been a while since
the last state-wide conference and I think it would be good to have a
venue that those of us in preservation can get together and learn from
each other.  Even a one day conference like VAF or New England
Archaeology has would be good.  With all of the Local Historical
Commissions and Historic District Commissions around the state, a
Massachusetts Association of Historic Preservation Commissions could
help our cause and organize us.  What do you think?  Is this a good
idea?  If so, what should be some next steps.

Brian Lever  

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