MHC’s Local Government Programs Coordinator, Jenn Doherty, hosts a regular series of virtual workshops on topics important to local Historical and Historic District Commission members and municipal staff. See below for upcoming workshops; new workshops are posted every three to four months. Contact Jenn at Jennifer.Doherty@sec.state.ma.us for more information.

When registering for a workshop, attendees can choose to attend live (receive the Zoom link and attend at the time noted) or only receive a recording after the workshop has ended. Live workshop attendees will automatically receive a recording and do not need to register for both tickets.

Introduction to MACRIS and MACRIS Maps

Friday, September 9, 10 am

The MHC maintains two public, free websites to provide information about documented cultural resources in Massachusetts: the Massachusetts Cultural Resources Information System (MACRIS) and MACRIS Maps. This workshop will review the new MACRIS interface, debuted in early 2022, and MACRIS Maps. Learn more about what kinds of information are included in MACRIS, how to operate the search filters to quickly find what you’re looking for, and how your local historical commission or planning department might make use of the information in MACRIS and MACRIS Maps. Register for this workshop.

Historic Resources Survey and the National Register of Historic Places

Monday, September 19, 7 pm

One of the most important tasks a local historical commission can undertake is to identify and evaluate the community’s historic resources. This is primarily done through survey and inventory work, which documents historic resources on standardized forms produced by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Then you can evaluate your historic resources for potential listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more about the survey process and National Register designation in this workshop, and especially how the two work hand-in-hand to help you deepen your understanding of your local historic resources. Register for this workshop.

Becoming a Certified Local Government

Tuesday, October 4, 1 pm

For communities with a higher level of preservation knowledge and activity, the National Park Service offers the Certified Local Government (CLG) program. This agreement between the Park Service, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and the local community allows for more local involvement in historic preservation activities at the state and federal levels. Massachusetts currently has 27 CLGs. This workshop will cover the requirements and application process for becoming a CLG as well as the benefits.

Please note: you must have a local historic district to become a CLG.  Communities without a local historic district may attend this workshop to learn more about the CLG program, but you must establish a local historic district before applying for CLG status. Register for this workshop.

Introduction to Historic Preservation

Friday, October 21, 1 pm

You were appointed to a local historical commission or historic district commission – now what? This workshop will cover the basics to help you be an educated commissioner familiar with the terminology and programs of the historic preservation field. There will be a high-level discussion of the key historic preservation tools, but their details and implementation processes will be covered in other workshops. You will come away from the presentation being able to speak knowledgeably about your commission and its role in the community, and having a sense of how to develop a work plan for your commission. Register for this workshop.

Architectural Styles, Forms, and Building Technologies of Massachusetts

Tuesday, November 1, 10 am

Many local commission members may have a wealth of knowledge about their community’s history, but feel less sure speaking about their community’s architecture. This workshop will provide a very high-level overview of residential house forms, architectural styles, and changes in building technology found in Massachusetts. Ranging from the First Period of settlement to the early 20th century, this workshop will allow you to better identify the historic resources in your community, more accurately date them, and set them into a larger context so you can evaluate their significance. Register for this workshop.

State and Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits

Monday, November 14, 1 pm

Historic rehabilitation tax credits are available at both the state and federal levels for income-producing properties listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.  These two tax credit programs have been used extensively to revitalize significant historic structures in communities throughout Massachusetts. In this workshop you will learn more about how the two programs work (and often work together), what kinds of buildings might qualify, and how your local historical commission may be involved in the application process. Please note that this workshop is for local historical commission members and municipal staff, not those interested in applying for the tax credits. Register for this workshop.

Establishing Local Historic Districts

Wednesday, November 30, 7 pm

Local historic districts provide one of the strongest forms of protection for historic properties in Massachusetts. This workshop will cover the process by which communities can establish local historic districts under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40C. Learn all about the outreach process, the legalities of establishing local districts, completing a Study Report, and making it through Town Meeting or City Council. This workshop will focus exclusively on establishing local historic districts; administration of local historic districts and design review are covered in a separate workshop. Register for this workshop.

Infill Construction in Local Historic Districts

Thursday, December 15, 11 am

One of the biggest struggles for local historic district commissions is reviewing proposals for new construction. The Secretary’s Standards say that new construction should be compatible with historic materials and designs while also distinguishable as new construction – but what does that mean in practical terms? In this workshop we will discuss the Standards and different approaches to reviewing infill construction in local historic districts, with an eye towards developing projects that support and protect the overall historic character of the district. Register for this workshop.