Virtual Workshops for Local Communities
MHC’s Local Government Programs Coordinator, Jenn Doherty, hosts a regular series of virtual workshops on topics important to local Historical and Historic District Commission members and municipal staff. See below for upcoming workshops; new workshops are posted every three to four months. Contact Jenn at Jennifer.Doherty@sec.state.ma.us for more information.
When registering for a workshop, attendees can choose to attend live (receive the Zoom link and attend at the time noted) or only receive a recording after the workshop has ended. Live workshop attendees will automatically receive a recording and do not need to register for both tickets.
State and Federal Historic Resources Project Review & Compliance
Thursday, April 7, 10 am
Laws and regulations at the state and federal levels require different kinds of review if a project will impact historic resources. The review process is overseen by the MHC. Learn more about the different triggers for this review, what is involved in the process, and how your local commission might be involved. Register for this workshop.
Historic Resources Survey and the National Register of Historic Places
Wednesday, April 20, 10 am
One of the most important tasks a local historical commission can undertake is to identify and evaluate the community’s historic resources. This is primarily done through survey and inventory work, which documents historic resources on standardized forms produced by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Then you can evaluate your historic resources for potential listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more about the survey process and National Register designation in this workshop, and especially how the two work hand-in-hand to help you deepen your understanding of your local historic resources. Register for this workshop.
Architectural Styles, Forms, and Building Technologies of Massachusetts
Thursday, May 5, 1 pm
Many local commission members may have a wealth of knowledge about their community’s history, but feel less sure speaking about their community’s architecture. This workshop will provide a very high-level overview of residential house forms, architectural styles, and changes in building technology found in Massachusetts. Ranging from the First Period of settlement to the early 20th century, this workshop will allow you to better identify the historic resources in your community, more accurately date them, and set them into a larger context so you can evaluate their significance. Register for this workshop.
Administering Local Historic Districts and Design Review
Monday, May 16, 10 am
Local historic districts are one of the strongest forms of protection for historic resources. Their goal is to allow for the thoughtful consideration of change - protecting a neighborhood's community character while allowing changes necessitated by modern life and maintenance. This workshop will go in-depth on how to administer a local historic district, how to handle the application and review process, and will provide some guidance on design review. Please note that this workshop will not include information on establishing a local historic district; that is covered in a separate workshop. Register for this workshop.
Introduction to Historic Preservation
Thursday, June 2, 10 am
You were appointed to a local historical commission or historic district commission – now what? This workshop will cover the basics to help you be an educated commissioner familiar with the terminology and programs of the historic preservation field. There will be a high-level discussion of the key historic preservation tools, but their details and implementation processes will be covered in other workshops. You will come away from the presentation being able to speak knowledgeably about your commission and its role in the community, and having a sense of how to develop a work plan for your commission. Register for this workshop.
Developing an Historic Preservation Plan
Tuesday, June 14, 7 pm
Historic preservationists are often reactive – a property in your community is threatened, and you are spurred into action. But how can your local historical commission and wider preservation community be more proactive? Developing an historic preservation plan for your community can help you understand your historic resources better, see where there are gaps in your knowledge and level of protection, and help you discover the key preservation tools you might be missing. In this workshop you will learn more about what goes into a preservation plan, why it is important, and how you might prepare one for your community. Register for this workshop.
Establishing Local Historic Districts
Tuesday, June 28, 1 pm
Local historic districts provide one of the strongest forms of protection for historic properties in Massachusetts. This workshop will cover the process by which communities can establish local historic districts under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40C. Learn all about the outreach process, the legalities of establishing local districts, completing a Study Report, and making it through Town Meeting or City Council. This workshop will focus exclusively on establishing local historic districts; administration of local historic districts and design review are covered in a separate workshop. Register for this workshop.
Workshops will be on hiatus over the summer — check back in September for the fall schedule.