MHC Seeking Public Input for the State Historic Preservation Plan 2023-2031

As the federally-designated State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), we receive federal Historic Preservation Funds through a yearly allocation process.

As part of the program, we maintain and regularly update a statewide historic preservation plan. This plan assists all preservationists and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth.

The last plan expired in 2022, and we’re working on a new plan. The National Park Service now allows states to extend the horizon of their state historic preservation plans to anywhere within five to ten years. We have an eight-year planning cycle, to correspond with two Secretary of State terms; the updated plan will cover the years 2023-2031.

See below for more information about the plan, as well as a timeline for the production of the new plan, and information on how Massachusetts preservationists can participate in the development of the new plan.

What is in the most recent plan?

You can find a copy of the most recent plan here: Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Plan 2018-2022 (PDF).

The most recent plan provides an overview of the MHC and partner organizations; a review of past plans and a timeline of historic preservation milestones in the Commonwealth; issues and opportunities in the historic preservation field specific to Massachusetts; and several goals, each with corresponding objectives.

This five-year plan guided historic preservation work in the Commonwealth from 2018-2022. We used this plan every year when submitting federal allocation applications and closeout documents, relating our activities back to the specific goals and objectives in the plan. We also encouraged communities to use the goals and objectives in the plan when considering their own preservation activities, and we used it when we reviewed applications for our Survey & Planning grant program.

How can I participate in the plan update?

We’re looking for broad public input for the new plan, to understand fully historic preservation activities in Massachusetts and how they might be supported over the next eight years. The process has included several opportunities to give input and participate in the development of the plan.

A draft of the full state plan is available for public comment through September 30, 2024. You can view the full draft here: 2023-2031 State Historic Preservation Plan for Public Comment (PDF)

Please feel free to share the draft plan with others in your community who might be interested in providing input, such as historical or historic district commissioners, appointed and elected officials, municipal staff, and locally-active preservationists. We want to receive as much input as possible, to be sure that the new state plan can help anyone find a role for themselves in historic preservation efforts across the Commonwealth.

Questions about the process or want to give input on the plan? Email Jennifer Doherty, Local Government Programs Coordinator, at Jennifer.Doherty@sec.state.ma.us.