A photo of the Lower Mills Village, Massachusetts, spanning both sides of the Neponset River between Milton (on the right) and City of Boston (Dorchester) (on the left).

Lower Mills Village, Massachusetts, spanning both sides of the Neponset River between Milton (on the right) and City of Boston (Dorchester) (on the left). These buildings were once part of the Walter Baker Chocolate Factory. Photo credit: Marc N. Belanger, Wikimedia

Eastern Massachusetts Historical Commission Coalition

The Eastern Massachusetts Historical Commission Coalition (EMHCC) is a partnership between the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and Preservation Massachusetts that started in 2023.

While the term “Historical Commission” is used in the group’s name, the EMHCC is open to anyone interested in historic preservation issues in the MAPC region, not just those serving on historical commissions – other appointed board members, municipal staff and elected officials, and local preservation advocates are always welcome to participate and contribute to the conversations.

The group meets two to three times per year, and sessions will feature speakers and discussion on historic preservation-related topics of interest to those in the region.

Meeting recordings are available on YouTube.

Do you have an idea for a future topic, questions, or just want more information about the EMHCC? Contact Lindsay Randall at [email protected].

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Events

Integrating ADUs in Historic Communities: Policy, History, and Practice
March 25, 2024 | 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

This session explored the role of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in historic communities, covering planning considerations, their historical presence, and provided examples of communities successfully integrating ADUs while maintaining historic character.

Presentation PDFs:

Presenters:

Gwendolyn Hellen-Sands, MAPC
Jim O’Connell, Historian and Author, The Hub’s Metropolis
Vijay Joyce, Salem Historical Commission
Note: to get in contact with the Salem Historical Commission, email Patti Kelleher, Preservation Planner, City of Salem

History and Heritage Funding
October 22, 2024 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

In this webinar, we explore local funding opportunities for heritage preservation projects featuring expert insights from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, MassDevelopment, State Archives, and MAPC. Learn about grants and resources available to support local preservation efforts.

Presentation PDFs:

Presenters:

Jennifer Doherty, Massachusetts Historical Commission
Elizabeth O'Connell, Massachusetts State Archives
Geetha Rao Raman, MassDevelopment
Norman Abbott and Gloria Huangpu, MAPC

Telling a More Complete Story
May 21, 2024 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

In this webinar, three public history scholars shared insights into methodologies and best practices for researching and representing underrepresented communities in historical narratives. Attendees learned effective approaches and considerations to include diverse perspectives in your historical work.

Presentation PDFs:

Exhibiting Black New England: How a Series of Historic Interpretive Signs Tell the Story of Black Newburyport
Salem History without Witches
Into the Mainstream: Interpreting Queer History at Museums and Historic Sites - PDF coming soon

Presenters:

Dr. Kabria Baumgartner, Northeastern University
Dr. Donna Seger, Salem State University
Ken Turino, Historic New England

From Bylaw to Action: Understanding Demolition Delay Implementation
February 6, 2024 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Discover insights into demolition delay with experts Patti Kelleher (City of Salem), Ryan Hayward (Medford Historical Commission), and Peter Johnson (Hanover Historical Commission), who delve into bylaw refinement, documentation strategies, and an innovative case study on the Joseph House. Their presentations offer a deep dive into the challenges and strategies in preservation planning and historical commission work.

Presentation PDFs:

Presenters:

Patti Kelleher, Preservation Planner for the City of Salem
Ryan Hayward, Vice Chair of the Medford Historical Commission
Peter Johnson, Chair of the Hanover Historical Commission

Cemetery Preservation
October 13, 2023 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Cohosted by the Eastern Massachusetts Historical Commission Coalition, Western Massachusetts Historical Commission Coalition, and Central Western Massachusetts Historical Commission Coalition, this webinar focuses on cemetery preservation. Dennis Montagna (Association for Gravestone Studies) discusses cemetery documentation and protection planning, Rachel Meyer (Epoch Preservation Inc) presents a case study on respecting the living through caring for their dead, and Martha Lyon (Martha Lyon Landscape Architecture) shares a case study on preserving cemeteries in the Pioneer Valley.

Presentation PDFs:

Presenters:

Dennis Montagna, Association for Gravestone Studies
Rachel Meyer, Epoch Preservation Inc
Martha Lyon, Landscape Architecture

Historic Preservation and 3A-MBTA Communities
June 6, 2023 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

This webinar is about the intersection of historic preservation and Section 3A in MBTA communities. Nathan Carlucci from the Massachusetts Department of Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), the state agency responsible for implementing the new law, provides an overview of the law and staff in Ipswich and Brookline illustrate how towns can integrate historic preservation into their compliance strategies.

Presentation PDFs:

Presenters:

Nathan Carlucci, MBTA Communities Compliance Coordinator (EOHLC)
Andrea Bates, Assistant Planner (Ipswich)
Jacob Collins, Preservation Planner (Brookline)

Selection of MAPC 3A focused projects:

EMHCC Kick Off & Listening Session Meeting
January 31, 2023 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

This first meeting introduced the three organizations managing the Eastern Massachusetts Historical Commission Coalition (EMHCC) and how they can support historic preservation efforts communities throughout the MAPC region and Eastern MA. The meeting concluded with an open discussion of topics that the EMHCC could cover in the future.

Presentation PDFs:

Presenters:

Jennifer Doherty, Local Government Programs Coordinator (MHC)
Jeff Gonyeau, Circuit Rider (Preservation Mass)
Lindsay Randall, Regional Humanities Specialist (MAPC)
Andrea Harris Long, Senior Land Use Planner and Technical Assistance Program (TAP) Coordinator (MAPC)
Dr. Annis Sengupta, Director of Arts + Culture Department (MAPC)

Additional Rescources

MHC Virtual Workshops for Local Communities
This is a regular series of FREE virtual workshops on topics important to local Historical and Historic District Commission members and municipal staff offered by the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Keeping History Above Water
Keeping History Above Water (KHAW) is a global public-engagement platform for connecting cultural heritage sites, climate change experts, and heritage professionals to create solutions for climate impacts on historic communities.

Historic New England
As the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive regional heritage organization in the nation, Historic New England serves the public in six states and beyond. They seek to advance preservation efforts throughout New England.

National Trust for Historic Preservation
For more than 70 years, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has led the movement to save America’s historic places. A privately funded nonprofit organization, they work to save America's historic sites; tell the full American story; build stronger communities; and invest in preservation's future.