[MassHistPres] Local Preservation Update E-Newsletter-November 8, 2012

[Skelly, Christopher (SEC)]

LOCAL PRESERVATION UPDATE E-NEWSLETTER
Published by the Massachusetts Historical Commission
November 8, 2012

Massachusetts Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission Memorials Project
Local historical commissions are invited to participate in a program that is getting underway as part of statewide efforts to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The Massachusetts Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission has, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Early and Secondary Education, and the Massachusetts Historical Commission, announced a new educational initiative.  The initiative encourages students of all ages to get out of the classroom and into the community to learn about the Civil War through existing local memorials, monuments, plaques, or other significant sites. Students and teachers are encouraged to participate by documenting these sites and doing first-hand historical research through collaboration with local historians, librarians, local historical commissions, and local historical societies.  Students may also submit their work to be published for public display on the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission's website.  High school age students especially are encouraged to complete a detailed inventory form to be submitted to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for inclusion in the state's Inventory of Historic and Archaeological Assets of the Commonwealth, hosted on the Massachusetts Historical Commission's website.  Where there is an existing inventory form on file, the project will seek to update information on the current appearance and condition of the monument or site, and add information on its history resulting from project research.  Additional information can be found online at the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission's website at www.MA150.org/educate<http://www.ma150.org/educate>.  We hope you will share information on this important educational opportunity with your local community educators and others who may have an interest in playing a role in this collaborative initiative.  If you have questions regarding this program, feel free to contact Chris Skelly (christopher.skelly at sec.state.ma.us<mailto:christopher.skelly at sec.state.ma.us>) or Michael Steinitz (michael.steinitz at sec.state.ma.us<mailto:michael.steinitz at sec.state.ma.us>) at the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

HURRICANE SANDY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Hurricane Sandy was another reminder of the need for disaster preparedness in every community, institution, business and household.  Is your community prepared to respond to the impacts of disasters on its significant historic properties?  Do your local historical societies, museums and other owners of significant historic properties have action plans for disaster events?  Local historical commissions can play a lead role in community planning for disaster response in coordination with your municipality's emergency management director.  The time for planning is not when disaster strikes!  Here are some key resources for planning for disaster response:

COSTEP Massachusetts: An Emergency Management Partner for Cultural Resources http://mblc.state.ma.us/costepma/

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency  http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/

National Trust For Historic Preservation - Natural Disasters, Preparedness, Planning and Response http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/technical-assistance/disaster-recovery/

Heritage Preservation - Alliance for Response http://www.heritagepreservation.org/AfR/index.html


NEW LISTINGS IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Agawam, School Street Barn
Bellingham, North Bellingham Cemetery and Oak Hill Cemetery
Holyoke, Hampden Park Historic District
Lynn, Lydia Pinkham House

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND DATES TO REMEMBER
November 19, 2012
Deadline to submit a survey and planning grant pre-application.  For more information, visit http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhchpp/surveyandplanning.htm.

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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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