Preservation Advocate Newsletter
Fall 1994 / Volume 21 /
Numbers 3 and 4
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Summer 1994 / Volume 21
/ Number 2
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Spring 1994 / Volume
21 / Number 1
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Autumn 1993 / Volume 20
/ Number 4
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Summer 1993 / Volume 20
/ Number 3
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Spring 1993 / Volume 20
/ Number 2
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Winter 1993 / Volume 20
/ Number 1
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Autumn 1992 / Volume 19
/ Number 4
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Summer 1992 / Volume 19
/ Number 3
HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAMS
The continuing presence of historic properties in Massachusetts
immeasurably enhances the quality of our lives; they help to establish our
sense of place and to define the very character of our communities.
To meet the challenge of preserving this important heritage, the
Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) was established by the
legislature in 1963 to identify, evaluate, and protect important historical
and archaeological assets of the Commonwealth.
The Commission consists of 18 members appointed from various disciplines
who serve as the State Review Board for state and federal preservation
programs.
The professional staff of the Commission includes historians, architects,
archaeologists, geographers, and preservation planners. The state's
preservation programs, as described in this brochure, are administered
through MHC's Preservation Planning, Grants, Public Information, and
Technical Services Divisions.
The MHC is the office of the State Historic Preservation Officer, as well
as the office of the State Archaeologist.
PRESERVATION PLANNING DIVISION
Since its inception in 1963, MHC has worked closely with local
preservation groups. The majority of the communities in the
Commonwealth now benefit from preservation programs. The Preservation
Planning staff is responsible for assisting and encouraging local
groups to become strong advocates for historic preservation planning.
SURVEY
The first step in a community's preservation planning process is to
identify, describe and locate buildings, structures, objects, areas, burial
grounds, landscape features, and sites that are of historical,
architectural, or archaeological importance to the community, the state, or
the nation. A comprehensive inventory of a town's historical assets serves
as the basis for all future preservation activities. This inventory becomes
part of a statewide inventory and enables MHC staff and local
preservationists to make consistent and informed preservation decisions.
MHC maintains a statewide survey at the reconnaissance level in order to
formulate a broad context for evaluating the significance of historic and
prehistoric properties.
Presently the MHC is entering the statewide inventory into the
Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS), an interactive
computerized database. MACRIS provides better access to the information on
these files.
LOCAL HISTORICAL COMMISSIONS
Established by a vote of the town or city government, a Local Historical
Commission (LHC) is the municipal agency responsible for ensuring that
preservation concerns are considered in community planning and development
decisions. Over 340 LHCs across Massachusetts are already established and
working closely with the MHC. They serve as local preservation advocates
and as an important resource for information about their community's
cultural resources and preservation activities.
CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM
The Certified Local Government Program (CLG) is a unique partnership that
provides a close integration of federal, state, and local preservation
activities. Communities that have enacted historic preservation legislation
are eligible to apply to MHC for certification. By extending state and
federal programs at the local level, the CLG program allows communities to
participate directly in the review and approval of National Register
nominations. CLGs are eligible to compete for at least 10 percent of the
federal funds allocated to MHC.
LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS
A Local Historic District (LHD) is established and administered by a
community to protect the distinctive characteristics of important areas,
and to encourage new structural designs that are compatible with the area's
historic setting. A District Study Committee is appointed to conduct a
survey of the area and to prepare a preliminary report for local and state
review. A final report is then submitted to the local governing body for
approval of the local historic district ordinance or by-law. Once a LHD is
established, a Local Historic District Commission (LHDC) is appointed to
review all applications for exterior changes to properties within the
district. This design review process assures that changes to properties
will not detract from the district's historic character. Review criteria
are determined by each city and town and vary for each local district.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) documents and records the
nation's important and irreplaceable buildings, sites, structures, objects,
and districts worthy of protection. Based on local and state surveys,
nominations to the NRHP are generally initiated by the local historical
commission, which works with MHC staff to prepare the form. Nominations are
then reviewed by the MHC State Review Board at a public meeting and
forwarded to the Keeper of the National Register for approval.
Listing on the NRHP recognizes the value of our nation's historical and
cultural heritage and provides a basis for making informed planning and
development decisions. NRHP status plans no constraints on what owners may
do with their property when using private funding. While the NRHP is not a
design review program, it does provide limited protection from state and
federal actions, as well as eligibility for matching state and federal
restoration and research grants (when available) and certain federal tax
benefits for certified rehabilitation projects.
STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
The State Register of Historic Places (SRHP) was created to serve as a
master list of designated historic properties in the Commonwealth and to
provide an added measure of protection to these properties. Properties are
included on the State Register if they are: listed in or determined
eligible for listing in the NRHP; within local historic districts; local,
state, and national landmarks; state archaeological landmarks; or
properties with preservation restrictions. The SRHP serves as a guide for
developers and state agencies in order to determine whether a state funded,
permitted, or licensed project will affect historic properties. The State
Register review process was modeled closely after the federal review
process (outlined under the Technical Services Division section of this
brochure), and ensures that State Register properties will not
inadvertently be harmed by activities supported by state agencies.
GRANTS DIVISION
Economic incentives for historic preservation and rehabilitation
serve to stimulate research and preserve our historic properties.
The MHC administers a federal grants-in-aid program for survey
and planning projects as well as a state matching grant program
for restoration, rehabilitation, and research of properties
listed in the State Register. When funds are available,
reimbursement grants are awarded annually through a competitive
application process.
SURVEY AND PLANNING GRANTS
Survey and Planning Grants provide 50 percent matching federal funds for
the preparation of community surveys, preservation plans, preparation of
historic district studies and legislation, archaeological surveys,
nominations to the National Register, and educational preservation
programs.
Eligible applicants are local historical commissions, Certified Local
Governments, local and state agencies, educational institutions, and
private organizations.
MASSACHUSETTS PRESERVATION PROJECTS FUND
In years when the Commonwealth authorizes funds, monies are available for
the restoration, rehabilitation, stabilization, and documentation of
historic and archaeological properties owned by municipalities or nonprofit
organizations. Through the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund, 50
percent matching grants are available to qualifying properties listed on
the State Register to ensure their physical preservation.
A highlight of this unique program, the first of its kind in the nation, is
the option applicants have to apply for up to 75 percent of the total
project cost if they are willing to commit an additional 25 percent toward
an endowment fund for long-range preservation and maintenance of the
property.
Scopes of work for projects range from the acquisition of an endangered
property, to the restoration of an historic building, to research projects
such as historic structures reports, archaeological data recovery projects,
or study of innovative preservation techniques.
PRESERVATION RESTRICTIONS
Preservation Restrictions protect historic and archaeological properties
from changes that may be inappropriate. A Preservation Restriction
(easement) on a property restricts present and future owners from altering
a specified portion of that building, structure, or site. A restriction can
run for a few years or in perpetuity and may be included as part of the
property deed. Preservation restrictions can be donated or purchased by a
government body or private preservation organization and are enforced by
the holder of the restriction.
Charitable donations of easements on historical buildings or archaeological
sites may qualify for federal income tax deductions.
PUBLIC INFORMATION DIVISION
Through the MHC's public information program, the preservation community
and general public is kept up to date on all new preservation policies,
laws, programs, and activities. A quarterly newsletter, covering
significant preservation developments, related local, state, and national
news, as well as events taking place in the preservation community, is
published by the Public Information Division. In addition, technical
information is available through a number of MHC publications. MHC staff
members are available to speak about preservation issues and related topics
at workshops and conferences. To augment the awareness of preservation
activities in the Commonwealth, MHC sponsors an annual Preservation Awards
ceremony during Preservation Month, which honors outstanding preservation
achievements. The Public Information Division also organizes and hosts
various local events commemorating National Register designations across
the Commonwealth.
TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION
The Technical Services Division staff provide a wide range of
technical preservation assistance to public agencies,
communities, and the public.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CERTIFICATION
The federal tax incentive program has encouraged private investment and
rehabilitation of historic properties and has been particularly valuable to
Massachusetts. This program allows owners of National Register buildings in
commercial, industrial, or rental residential uses to qualify for a 20
percent Investment Tax Credit, in effect a 20 percent rebate, based on
rehabilitation costs. These credits help pay for the unique costs
associated with rehabilitations of historic properties and have convinced
otherwise skeptical investors of the value of historic buildings.
The National Park Service certifies rehabilitation, and the MHC Technical
Services staff advises and assists owners during the application and review
process. This assistance has inspired tremendous interest in the program in
Massachusetts and has ensured a consistently high rate of approvals.
Applications should be submitted to MHC before rehabilitation work begins
in order to receive the most useful advice and best results.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PUBLIC PLANNING
As the State Historic Preservation Office, the MHC acts as liaison to
federal, state, and local development agencies such as the Federal Highway
Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the
Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency. The MHC is authorized by state and
federal law to review and comment on certain state and federally licensed,
permitted, or funded projects to determine whether or not the proposed
project will have an impact on historic or prehistoric properties. This
review process generally begins during the early stage of the planning
process when the federal or state agency contacts the MHC. If it is
determined that the project poses a threat to a historic property within
the proposed project impact area, then project proponents and the MHC
jointly explore alternatives to eliminate, minimize, or mitigate any
damaging effects. MHC's environmental review programs have been successful
in resolving historic preservation disputes.
Archaeological excavations on public lands are overseen by the State
Archaeologist, whose permits ensure that these important resources are
properly conserved. The State Archaeologist also reviews development
projects that affect archaeological properties and negotiates solutions to
protect the sites.
Massachusetts Historical Commission
A Division of the Office of the Secretary of State
80 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116-4802
(617) 727-8470
Michael Joseph Connolly, Chairman
Judith B. McDonough, Executive Director and
State Historic Preservation Officer