The MA Department of Conservation and Recreation Historic Landscape Preservation Initiative is hosting a Historic Cemetery Preservation Workshop to be held on Friday, November 18, 2011 at the UMass Inn and Conference Center, 50 Warren Street, Lowell, MA. The deadline to register for the workshop is November 10th.

For more information please visit DCR’s link:
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/histland/RegistrationSelfMailer2.pdf

Preservation Massachusetts has just released our updated economic review of the Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program: Jobs, Revenue and Revitalization. This is the second edition of our economic update on the effectiveness and impact of this important program. Since April, 2004, this credit has demonstrated the economic benefits of historic preservation while revitalizing our neighborhoods, preserving the historic fabric of our Commonwealth and reenergizing our communities.

With great foresight the Massachusetts Legislature enacted the State Historic Tax Credit by adding it to an economic stimulus act. Since then credit has given back to Massachusetts through private investment, job creation and tax revenues. The program’s steady growth over the past seven years prompted a coalition of organizations, led by Preservation Massachusetts, to quantify the credit’s impact on Massachusetts,

Download a PDF copy today or contact Preservation Massachusetts’ office for information on how to receive a print copy.
The MHRTC: Jobs, Revenue & Revitalization

“Ask the Expert” day in Monson to advise owners of storm-damaged properties

October 15th session at Granite Valley Middle School to feature guidance and
resources for storm-damaged historic properties and landscapes.

The town of Monson, in conjunction with Preservation Massachusetts, will
hold an “Ask the Expert” day on Saturday, October 15, at the Granite Valley
Middle School, 21 Thompson St., Monson. The purpose of the event is to bring
guidance and resources for the repair and rehabilitation of sites and
structures damaged by this summer’s storms. The event will run from 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m. and is free and open to the public from Monson and surrounding
communities. As part of the town’s on-going recovery efforts, this event
will complement the town’s tree-planting event, which is being held the same
day.

Since June’s tornado and August’s hurricane, property owners have secured
their buildings and begun repairs, but many owners are still working on
long-term repair projects, are looking for ways to green up their buildings
as they repair them, or would like to tighten up their buildings for the
upcoming winter. It can be particularly difficult for owners of historic
buildings to locate replacement materials and parts or to find contractors
and craftspeople who have expertise in dealing with historic structures. The
“Ask the Expert” event will bring historic preservation, energy efficiency,
and other construction experts to Monson to help answer property owners’
questions about how to fix their historic buildings and to help them find
hard-to-locate materials.

The “Ask the Expert” event will feature more than a dozen historic
preservation professionals, such as architects, contractors, glass
restorers, woodwork and window repair craftspersons, and others who can
provide guidance to owners and stewards of historic properties.
Representatives from Energy Star and EcoBuilding Bargains (formerly the
Re-Store, a source of salvaged and hard-to-find building materials) will
also be on-hand for property owners looking to make green repairs.
Individuals attending are encouraged to bring photographs of their
properties and any other appropriate material that can help when discussing
their projects.

Other information, such as resource guides, will also be available, along
with staff from Preservation Massachusetts, the state’s non-profit historic
preservation organization. This event is not limited to Monson residents;
property owners throughout the region are welcome to attend.

Tower site clings to life: Future unclear for state hospital landmark

By Bronislaus B. Kush|Worcester Telegram & Gazette|September 2, 2011

Worcester – he effort over the past couple of years to rescue the historic Worcester State Hospital Clock Tower building from the wrecking ball has rallied many to the cause.

For example, at least 600 messages of support have been sent to a special Facebook page and about 150 people have signed an online petition to save the Gothic-style structure from demolition.

Local preservationists said they are buoyed by the response, but they’re not sure state officials have been convinced that the five-story, 52,000-square-foot building is worth preserving…

To read the full article click here

Preservation Massachusetts has extended the nomination deadline for the 2011 Most Endangered Historic Resources program through Monday, August 15.

This year’s endangered program is a special edition, focusing only on the communities of Western Massachusetts hit by the damaging June 1st tornadoes and storms. For this reason Preservation Massachusetts will only accept nominations from the Western Massachusetts areas negatively affected by the storms:

Agawam, Brimfield, Monson, Springfield, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Westfield, West Springfield, and Wilbraham.

PM feels strongly that in order to continue our commitment to the needs of the western Massachusetts constituency, it is imperative to keep the spotlight on the areas devastated by this spring’s natural disaster. PM’s Most Endangered Historic Resources List will be an opportunity for continued advocacy and education about preservation in these communities as they begin to rebuild and restore.

To download a copy of the nomination form, click here.

Please contact our office with any questions or concerns, 617-723-3383.