[MassHistPres] Local Preservation Update E-Newsletter-September 15, 2014

[Skelly, Christopher (SEC)]

LOCAL PRESERVATION UPDATE E-NEWSLETTER
Published by the Massachusetts Historical Commission

September 15, 2014

MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH IS OCTOBER 2014
During the month of October, museums, local historical societies, libraries, avocational archaeologists, universities, local historical commissions, professional archaeologists, and other organizations have planned a variety of exciting events for you and your family to enjoy. Learn about recent archaeological investigations in your town, meet an archaeologist, or take a bike tour. This year, there are 93 events that promote awareness of the Commonwealth's rich archaeological past through fun and engaging programs. For more information including a calendar of events, visit http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcarch/arch_month/archidx.htm.

HOLYOKE IS THE NEWEST CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The City of Holyoke has been approved as a Certified Local Government in Massachusetts.  In approving the application, both the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the National Park Service recognized the work of the Holyoke Historical Commission and Fairfield Avenue Historic District Commission in their local historic preservation programs.  Holyoke will now be eligible to compete for matching grants through the annual survey and planning grant program in the CLG category.  There are now 21 Certified Local Governments in Massachusetts.  These are Bedford, Boston, Brookline, Danvers, Eastham, Falmouth, Grafton, Hingham, Holyoke, Lexington, Lowell, Medfield, Medford, Methuen, New Bedford, Newton, Plymouth, Quincy, Salem, Somerville and Worcester.  To become a CLG, a municipality must meet certain minimum qualifications including the establishment of at least one local historic district. For more information on the CLG program, contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us<mailto:Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us>.


LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP UPDATE FORMS

Over the summer, the Massachusetts Historical Commission sent out membership update forms to local historic district commissions statewide.  Where possible, we are sending the update forms electronically to the chairperson of the commission.  If we don't have an email address for the commission chairperson, we will follow-up with hard copy in the mail.  Please update the form including the new members of your commission and return to the Massachusetts Historical Commission as soon as possible. That way, we can send each new member a copy of the Guidebook for Historic District Commissions.


NEW LISTINGS IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Boston (Dorchester), St Mark's Episcopal Church
Great Barrington, Ramsdell Public Library
Lynn, Pine Grove Cemetery

CULTURAL FACILITIES FUND GRANTS AVAILABLE

The Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) is an initiative of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  The Fund provides Capital Grants to promote the acquisition, design, repair, rehabilitation renovation, expansion, or construction of nonprofit cultural facilities in Massachusetts. Museums and historic sites are eligible to apply.  The intent to apply deadline is October 21, 2014.  For more information, visit http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/facilities/facilities.htm.



HISTORY OF THE SOI STANDARDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES
The National Park Service has a new webpage on the history of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.  As described by the National Park Service, the Standards are a series of concepts about maintaining, repairing, and replacing historic materials, as well as designing new additions or making alterations. The Standards offer four distinct approaches to the treatment of historic properties.  They are preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction.  More information on the Standards can be found at http://www.nps.gov/tps/standards.htm. The new webpage can be found at  http://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/history-of-standards.htm

HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE NEWS
Southborough
Southborough Teens Protest Demolition of Historic Mansion
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/07/17/southborough-teens-protest-demolition-of-historic-mansion/
National Trust for Historic Preservation-Preservation Nation Blog-Teen Preservationist
http://blog.preservationnation.org/2014/08/06/how-i-spent-summer-vacation-interview-teen-preservationist-bridget-brady/

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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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