[MassHistPres] Local Preservation Update E-Newsletter-March 26, 2012

[Skelly, Christopher (SEC)]

LOCAL PRESERVATION UPDATE E-NEWSLETTER
Published by the Massachusetts Historical Commission
March 26, 2012

LOCAL HISTORICAL COMMISSIONS ALMOST 50 YEARS OLD
In September, 1963, the law authorizing the establishment of local historical commissions as well as the Massachusetts Historical Commission was passed.  In recommending passage to the state legislature in April of that year, Governor Endicott Peabody stated that protecting the Commonwealth's heritage was a "patriotic duty."  As 2013 approaches, MHC staff is compiling material on the early days of local historical commissions.  Was your city or town an early adopter of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40 Section 8d, establishing a local historical commission?  What kinds of records do you have in your files shedding light on the challenges your commission faced, the goals of the commission and the first projects your commission undertook?  If you have ideas, please contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us<mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us>.

STUDY ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION RELEASED
A recently released 2011 study demonstrating the varied economic impacts of historic preservation around the country can be found on the website of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at http://www.achp.gov/.  Economic indicators such as job creation, income, affordable housing, downtown revitalization and tourism are included.  According to the report, the impacts of historic preservation are measurable, positive and significant to the local economy.  The full 97 page report is available for download.  However, a twelve page summary is also included on the website.

RHODE ISLAND STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE

The 27th Annual Rhode Island State Historic Preservation Conference will be held on Saturday, April 21 in Woonsocket, RI.  With a conference theme of "Heritage in America's Great Outdoors, the full day conference will include workshops, discussions and tours of the Blackstone River Valley.  For more information, visit www.preservation.ri.gov/conference<http://www.preservation.ri.gov/conference>.

EASTON LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT PROPOSED FOR EXPANSION
The town of Easton has submitted a preliminary study report for the expansion of the Ames Historic District in the North Easton village area.  As home of the Ames Shovel Company, the North Easton village includes a National Register District and National Historic Landmark properties such as the H.H. Richardson Old Colony Railroad Station and the Rockery by Frederick Law Olmsted.  With demolition of the industrial buildings that make up the shovel works area imminent, the town of Easton established a local historic district in 2010.  The proposed district expansion includes an additional 52 properties.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND DATES TO REMEMBER
March 29, 2012
Introduction to Historic Preservation Planning Workshop.  Egremont.  7pm. For more information, contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us<mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us>.
March 30, 2012
MPPF Round 18 Applications due.  For more information, visit <http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm> http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm
April 9, 2012
Cape-wide Historic Preservation Workshop.  For more information, contact skorjeff at capecodcommission.org<mailto:skorjeff at capecodcommission.org>.

April 21, 2012
RI State Historic Preservation Conference, Woonsocket, RI.  For more information, visit www.preservation.ri.gov/conference<http://www.preservation.ri.gov/conference>.
June 11, 2012
Massachusetts History Conference.  Worcester.  For more information, visit http://masshumanities.org/history_conference

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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.  This newsletter is posted on masshistpres directly and sent to local commission members.  We welcome your thoughts on what you would like to see in this newsletter.  The website for the Massachusetts Historical Commission is http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm
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