[MassHistPres] Local Preservation Update E-Newsletter-September 23, 2013

[Skelly, Christopher (SEC)]

LOCAL PRESERVATION UPDATE E-NEWSLETTER
Published by the Massachusetts Historical Commission
September 23, 2013

MASSACHUSETTS STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE 2013
*******Registration for the conference has closed******
The Preservation Coalition is grateful for the enthusiasm that the conference has generated, and regrets that additional registrants cannot be accommodated for this year's conference.  At 400 attendees, this will be one of the largest statewide conferences, a fact that will influence planning for the next conference.  In order to make the conference material more widely available, the Preservation Coalition intends to post content on the conference website.  If you are a local historical commission or historic district commission member and are unable to attend, please note that the Massachusetts Historical Commission can offer regional training workshops in your community.

OCTOBER IS MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH
Begun in 1992 as Archaeology Week, Massachusetts Archaeology Month is a month-long celebration of archaeology in Massachusetts and around the world. Museums, libraries, archaeologists, and many more people and institutions join Secretary Galvin and the State Archaeologist in hosting exhibits, lectures, walks, and events for adults, children, and teachers. The electronic version of the 2013 calendar is currently online and can also be used as a guide to places that host events throughout the year, but please call the event host first to learn more about the current events, fees, and hours.  To be added to our mailing list to receive or to request a printed version of the calendar of events, please contact Jennifer Poulsen at Jennifer.Poulsen at sec.state.ma.us with your mailing address.

GUIDEBOOK FOR HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSIONS
Massachusetts Historical Commission staff is nearing completion of a revised Guidebook for Historic District Commissions.   The revised guidebook offers historic district commissioners essential information on proper procedures, typical review projects and best practices.  While we have included many images of local historic districts from around the state, we have room for some additional representative photos.  If you have a digital image from your local historic district, such as a specific project or character defining features that define your district, please send them to Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us. Additionally, please let us know if you are interested in reviewing this draft document.

REZONING LEADS TO DEMOLITIONS
When it comes to historic preservation planning, local historical commissions should carefully consider local land use zoning and its impact on historic resources.  Thoughtful, well planned zoning can aid in the rehabilitation of a downtown, provide disincentives to demolition and create new opportunities for infill development.  However, zoning can also be a main contributor to the destruction of historic resources.  Two recent inquiries to the Massachusetts Historical Commission demonstrate what can happen when a residential street is rezoned to a commercial district.  In both cases, mid 19th Century residential buildings were slated for demolition soon after the rezoning was approved at town meeting.  For more information on how zoning can be best used for historic preservation purposes, contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us for a copy of Preservation through Bylaws and Ordinances.

HOLYOKE LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT PROPOSED
The historic district commission in Holyoke recently submitted to the Massachusetts Historical Commission a Preliminary Study Report for the establishment of a new local historic district in downtown Holyoke.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND DATES TO REMEMBER
October 18, 2013
Massachusetts Historic Preservation Conference, Lexington.  For more information, visit www.MApreservationconference.org<outbind://5/www.MApreservationconference.org>.
Registration for this conference has closed.  See above.
November 20, 2013
Massachusetts Smart Growth Conference.  For more information, visit http://ma-smartgrowth.org/take-action/smart-growth-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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