"Fortunately, an increasing number of communities recognize that historic places provide a sense of community and stability critical to the well-being of our citizens. Historic preservation ... continues to be one of the most effective ways that communities can achieve revitalization and economic stability."
~ Paul Edmondson, Vice Pres., National Trust for Historic Preservation
Helpful Organizations
Tax and Other Incentives for Preserving Your Historic Building
Preservation Mass, founded in 1985 is the state-wide non-profit, membership organization dedicated to preserving the Commonwealth's historic and cultural resources. With its partners, it actively promotes the preservation of historic buildings and landscapes as a positive force for economic revitalization, tourism, and the retention of community character. Programs include the annual "Ten Most Endangered Historic Resources" (including the Garden Theatre and the First national Bank building) which draws attention to important but threatened places and buildings, the new Barn Preservation Task Force, quarterly newsletter, and an online list of consultants. See www.preservationmass.org for links to other organizations.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the national non-profit, membership organization chartered by Congress, has its Northeast Regional Office in Boston. There is a preservation bookstore at www.preservationbooks.org and a comprehensive web site at www.preservationnation.org
The Massachusetts Historical Commission in the Secretary of State's Office is the agency that reviews publicly-funded projects, nominates properties, sites and districts to the National Register of Historic Places, grants funds for preserving historic resources to municipalities and non-profit organizations through the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund, authorizes archaeological investigations, and provides assistance to local historical and historic district commissions. This site includes a searchable MACRIS database of inventoried properties by location, subject or period. MHC's Reconnaissance Survey of Greenfield may be accessed here. It provides an expert contextual narrative of historic resources. www.state.ma.us/sec/mhc
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation's Heritage Landscape Preservation Program provides matching grants, educational materials and training to municipalities who wish to preserve significant historic landscapes. Greenfield's 2009 Heritage Landscape Reconnaissance Report can be found here www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/histland/overview.htm
Old House Journal's website includes articles for historic homeowners and a list and link to the National Park Service Technical Preservation Services for historic buildings. These on-line booklets provide authoritative and unbiased answers to many of the questions faced by property owners who wish to preserve the character and integrity of their buildings.
www.oldhousejournal.com
The Greenfield Historical Commission has prepared a reference that details available federal and state tax incentives for preserving historic buildings. You may download a PDF of the document here.
National Park Service Technical Preservation Service Briefs
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