State Legislation Related to the Massachusetts Historical Commission

The Massachusetts Legislature established the Massachusetts Historical Commission in 1963 to identify, evaluate, and protect historical and archaeological assets in the Commonwealth. Subsequent state laws further defined and expanded the MHC’s role. See below for relevant legislative citations of our work.

Enabling Legislation

• M.G.L. c. 9 §§ 26-27C

Additional Legislative Citations

Archaeology

• M.G.L. c. 9 §§ 26-27C
• 950 CMR 70

Shipwrecks/Salvage (Underwater Act)

• M.G.L. c. 6 §§ 179
• M.G.L. c. 6 §§ 180
• M.G.L. c. 91 § 63
• 312 CMR 2

Native American Burials

• M.G.L. c. 7 § 38A
• M.G.L. c. 9 §§ 26A
• M.G.L. c. 9 §§ 27
• M.G.L. c. 38 § 6
• M.G.L. c. 114 § 17

Historical Cemeteries

Care of Ancient & Neglected Burial Places

• M.G.L. c. 114 §§ 17
• M.G.L. c. 114 §§ 18

Rules and Regulations for Gravestone Repair/Reproduction

• 950 CMR 41

Violation of Sepulcher, Injuring or Removing Tombs, Graves, Memorials

• M.G.L. c. 272 §§ 71
• M.G.L. c. 272 §§ 72
• M.G.L. c. 272 §§ 73
• M.G.L. c. 272 §§ 74
• M.G.L. c. 272 §§ 76

Historic Structures/Sites

• M.G.L. c. 9 §§ 26-27C

State Review and Compliance

• M.G.L. c. 9 §§ 26-27C
• 950 CMR 71

Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund

• 950 CMR 73

State Register Program

• M.G.L. c. 9 §§ 26-27C

Historic Building/Fire Code

• 780 CMR 1-22

Preservation Restrictions

• M.G.L. c. 184 §§ 31
• M.G.L. c. 184 §§ 32
• M.G.L. c. 184 §§ 33

Local Historic Districts

• M.G.L. c. 40C

Local Historic Commissions

• M.G.L. c. 40 § 8D

Historic Homesteads

• M.G.L. c. 9 § 27D