Preservation Planning

The MHC partners with local, regional, and statewide preservation groups to facilitate programs for many Commonwealth communities. The Preservation Planning staff assists and encourages these groups to become strong advocates for historic preservation planning.

Survey

Preservation planning begins with a survey of any historically significant buildings, structures, objects, areas, burial grounds, landscape features, or sites. This comprehensive historical asset inventory informs all future city or town preservation activities. The local inventory should regularly be reviewed, updated and expanded as needed.

MHC collects the local inventory and adds it to the statewide inventory, allowing staff and local preservationists to make consistent and informed preservation decisions. In the 1980s, the MHC undertook a statewide survey at the reconnaissance level that still provides important contexts for evaluating the significance of historic and prehistoric properties.

• 2023 Survey and Planning Grant Program
• State reconnaissance survey regional and town reports.

MHC enters statewide inventories into the online Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) database.

Related Resources

• User's Guide to Town Reports
• FAQ: Historic Properties Inventory Forms

Downloadable Survey and Inventory Forms

• Form A, Area (Word)
• Form B. Building (Word)
• Form C, Object (Word)
• Form E, Burial Ground (Word)
• Form F, Structure (Word)
• Form F, Bridge (Word)
• Form H , Parks and Landscapes Page 1 (Word)
• Inventory Continuation Sheet  (Word)
• National Register of Historic Places Criteria Statement Form (Word)

Local Historical Commissions

A Local Historical Commission (LHC), established by a vote of the town or city government, is responsible for maintaining the local inventory of historic assets, advising town boards on preservation matters, and advocating for preservation concerns during community planning and development.

Over 340 Massachusetts cities and towns have an LHC working directly with the MHC. LHCs serve as local preservation advocates and resources for community cultural activities.

For the enabling statute, see: M.G.L. c. 40, § 8D.

Certified Local Government Program

The Certified Local Government Program (CLG) is an integration of federal, state, and local preservation activities. Communities with enacted historic preservation by-laws can apply to MHC for certification.

The CLG program extends state and federal preservation activities to the local level, providing technical support and allowing communities to participate in National Register nominations. CLGs can also compete for 10 percent of the federal funds allocated to the MHC.

View information about the CLGs from the National Park Service.

Local Historic Districts

A Local Historic District (LHD) protects the distinctive characteristics of a community’s historically and architecturally significant resources, and encourages new designs compatible with historic settings.

To establish an LHD, a locally-appointed Local Historic District Study Committee (or an existing Local Historic District Commission) prepares a report summarizing the importance of the proposed local historic district. The report is presented to town meeting or city council for a vote.

Once an LHD is established, an appointed Local Historic District Commission reviews all applications for exterior changes to properties within the district. This design review process ensures that any proposed changes will not detract from the district's historic character.

For the enabling statute, see: M.G.L. c. 40C.

Related Publication

Establishing Local Historic Districts

National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places (National Register) documents the nation's important and irreplaceable buildings, sites, structures, and objects, as well as any districts worthy of protection.

Based on local and state surveys, National Register nominations originate in any number of ways, including through a local historical commission, or other municipal entity, a private property owner, or a nonprofit.

Nominations are prepared by professional consultants, and drafts are reviewed by MHC staff. When finalized, the nominations are presented to the State Review Board at a public meeting, and then forwarded to the National Park Service for final review and listing.

National Register listings recognize the value of our nation's historical and cultural heritage. They can help communities make informed planning and development decisions. However, National Register status generally does not prohibit actions owners may take with their properties when using private funding, including major alterations or demolition.

Listing in the National Register does provide limited protection from state and federal actions, eligibility for matching state and federal restoration grants (when available), and certain federal tax benefits for certified rehabilitation projects.

Related Publications

What You Need to Know about Listing on the National Register

State Register of Historic Places

The State Register of Historic Places (SRHP) serves as a master list of designated historic properties in the Commonwealth, and provides added protection for these properties.

Properties are included on the State Register if they are:

• Within local historic districts
• Local, state, and national landmarks
• State archaeological landmarks

The SRHP serves as a guide for developers and state agencies, helping them determine whether a state funded, permitted, or licensed project will affect historic properties. The State Register review process was modeled closely after the federal review process and ensures that State Register properties will not inadvertently be harmed by activities supported by state agencies.

Published annually, the SRHP is available for sale at the State House Bookstore.