Preservation Massachusetts’ 2011 Most Endangered Historic Resources Program
Special Edition: Tornado Damaged Communities of Western Massachusetts

2011 Most Endangered Nomination Form

The Most Endangered Historic Resources List for 2011 will be 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.

This year’s form has been modified for ease of use and time efficiency. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Courtney Whelan via email at cwhelan@preservationmass.org or in the office at 617-723-3383.

Please download the nomination form and have an electronic and physical copy to Preservation Massachusetts by close of business Friday, August 5th.

Should you need a nomination form printed and mailed to you please contact PM’s office.

Preservation Massachusetts
Old City Hall
45 School Street
Boston, MA 02108
Re: MER 2011

617-723-3383
cwhelan@preservationmass.org

A recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Virginia threatens to decrease the value of state historic tax credits, and undermines the financing of landmark historic preservation projects nationwide. Now, with the future of state historic tax credits—in Virginia and elsewhere—at stake, the National Trust for Historic Preservation is joining its preservation partners in the Fourth Circuit and nationwide in calling for the Court of Appeals to reconsider this ruling.

Learn more about the Virginia ruling on Preservation Nation and read the National Trust’s response.

Get acquainted with the resources on Preservation Massachusetts 2010 Most Endangered List. Visit our YouTube page and watch the 2010 MER video and see incredible images and learn about these incredible yet threatened resources.

Click here to watch the video and don’t forget to subscribe to PM’s channel on YouTube!

PM needs your help in ensuring the Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit will continue to benefit our Commonwealth! The program is scheduled to sunset in December, 2011, unless an provision to extend the program is included in the Massachusetts FY 2011 budget.  The Senate’s version of the budget  included a proposal to extend the credit until 2017, but was not included in the House version.  The budget is currently in a joint conference committee and will be finalized and presented to the Governor by July 1.

So how can you help? PM is asking all members, partners and colleague to encourage the House to include the sunset extension provision in the final budget.  Write to the Joint Budget Conference Committee today, especially constituents of the following members:

Senator Stephen Panatiotakos (Chair, Senate Ways & Means) State House, Room 212

Senator Stephen Brewer, State House, Room 109B

Senator Michael Knapik, State House Room 419

Representative Charles A. Murphy (Chair, House Ways & Means), State House, 243

Representative Robert A. DeLeo, Speaker of the House, State House, Room 356

Representative Barbara A. L’latlien, State House, Room 237

Representative Robert S. Hargraves, State House, Room 238

Letters should be mailed to the Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA 02133

Click here to view the letter PM sent to the Budget Conference Committee on the economic and historic benefits of the tax credit program and use it as a template.  Please send your letter within the next week and feel free to contact PM’s office with questions about the MHRTC!

Click here to view PM’s Economic Study of the impact and benefits of the MHRTC.

Today, Preservation Massachusetts was quoted in an article about a previously listed Most Endangered Historic Resource:

Threatened: Salem Witch Trial Survivor’s House

By Margaret Foster | Preservation Nation | Online Only | Jan. 19, 2010

A Massachusetts house built by a Salem witch trial survivor has stood empty for a decade, but a group of locals wants to save the boarded-up structure….

… Saving the Clayes House has been a challenge because it was previously owned by a couple who divorced. “Unclear title chain makes purchase and restoration extremely difficult,” says Erin Kelly, assistant director of Preservation Massachusetts, which placed the Clayes House on its 2007 list of the state’s most endangered historic places. “The unique history and wonderful architecture of this property are an incredible local resource.”

For the full article, click here.