Preservation Resources
Local Preservation and Cultural Links
| American Antiquarian Society.............................................. | www.americanantiquarian.org |
| City of Worcester............................................................... | www.worcesterma.gov |
| Higgins Armory Museum..................................................... | www.higgins.org |
| Massachusetts National Guard Museum and Archives............. | http://states.ng.mil/sites/MA/ |
| Worcester Cultural Coalition................................................ | www.worcestermass.org/culture |
| Worcester District Registry of Deeds.................................... | www.worcesterdeeds.com |
| Worcester Historical Museum............................................... | www.worcesterhistory.org |
| Worcester Public Library..................................................... | www.worcpublib.org |
State Preservation and Cultural Links
| Community Preservation Coalition........................................ | www.communitypreservation.org |
| Historic New England (formerly SPNEA: Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities)............................... | www.historicnewengland.org |
| Preservation Mass............................................................... | www.preservationmass.org |
| Massachusetts Archives....................................................... | www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/ |
| Massachusetts Cultural Council............................................ Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System............ |
www.massculturalcouncil.org http://mhc-macris.net |
| Massachusetts Historic Commission...................................... | www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/ |
| The Trustees of Reservations............................................... | www.thetrustees.org |
National Preservation and Cultural Links
| Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.............................. | www.achp.gov |
| Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)........................... | www.cr.nps.gov/hdp/habs |
| Historic American Engineering Record (HAER)........................ | www.cr.nps.gov/hdp/haer |
| Heritage Preservation.......................................................... | www.heritagepreservation.org |
| National Alliance of Preservation Commissions...................... | http://www.uga.edu/napc/ |
| The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT)............................................................................. | www.ncptt.nps.gov |
| National Council for Preservation Education........................... | www.uvm.edu/histpres/ncpe/ |
| National Park Service.......................................................... | www.nps.gov |
| National Preservation Institute............................................. | www.npi.org |
| National Register of Historic Places....................................... | www.cr.nps.gov/nr/ |
| National Trust for Historic Preservation................................. | www.preservationnation.org |
| Partners for Sacred Places................................................... | www.sacredplaces.org |
| Preservation Action............................................................. | www.preservationaction.org |
| Preserve America............................................................... | www.preserveamerica.gov |
| PreserveNet....................................................................... | www.preservenet.cornell.edu |
| Preservation Briefs (technical information for restoration work on historic buildings)........................................................... | www.nps.gov/hps/TPS/briefs/presbhom.htm |
| Preservation Directory........................................................ | www.preservationdirectory.com |
| Save America's Treasures................................................... | www.saveamericastreasures.org |
| Save Our History................................................................ | www.saveourhistory.com |
| Society of Architectural Historians........................................ | www.sah.org |
| Teaching with Historic Places................................................ | www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/ |
| Traditional Building: The Professional's Source for Public Architecture....................................................................... | www.traditional-building.com |
| Trust for Public Land........................................................... | www.tpl.org |
| Vernacular Architecture Forum............................................. | www.vernaculararchitectureforum.org |
Preservation Funding & Incentives
Local and State
Preservation Worcester's Janet McCorison Revolving Fund Loan Program
PW offers a low-interest loan program for restoration/renovation of historic properties in designated historic districts in Worcester. Loans are available up to $25,000 for approved exterior restoration/renovations of owner-occupied structures. Call Preservation Worcester for more information or to apply, 508-754-8760.
A certified rehabilitation project on an income-producing property is eligible to receive up to 20% of the cost of certified rehabilitation expenditures in state tax credits.
The Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund is a state-funded 50% reimbursable matching grant program established in 1984 to support the preservation of properties, landscapes, and sites (cultural resources) listed on the State Register of Historic Places. Applicants must be a municipality or a non-profit organization.
National
20% federal tax credit for the certified rehabilitation of certified historic structures, rehabilitated for commercial, industrial, agricultural, or rental residential purposes. Tax credits are not available for properties used exclusively as the owner’s private residence.
10% federal tax credit for the rehabilitation of non-historic, non-residential buildings built before 1936.
The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) makes equity investments in real estate projects that qualify for federal and state historic tax credits in all 50 states.
The Section 203(k) mortgage program is the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) primary program for the rehabilitation and repair of single family properties. It is an important tool for community and neighborhood revitalization and for expanding home ownership opportunities.
Preservation Resources & Law
The above is a link to a PDF file of the City of Worcester's Historical Commission and local by-laws as well as related state and national information.
Massachusetts State Register of Historic Places
The State Register of Historic Places was established in 1982 as a comprehensive listing of the buildings, structures, objects, and sites that have received designations based on their historical or archaeological significance. Since its establishment, the State Register has added listings for over 60,000 properties in 312 cities and towns.
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
Federal historic preservation legislation which was enacted in 1966 in response to widespread concern at the loss of historic properties due to the rise of government sponsored public works projects. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 is at the center of historic preservation policy in the United States. The Act also created the National Register of Historic Places, the list of National Historic Landmarks, the positions of State Historic Preservation Officers and the process of Section 106 Review to ensure continued preservation of historic sites.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Under federal law, owners of private property listed on the National Register are free to maintain, manage, or dispose of their property as they choose provided that there is no Federal involvement or funding.
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires Federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties and afford the Council a reasonable opportunity to comment on such undertakings. The goal is to identify historic properties potentially affected by an undertaking (funded partially or completely by federal funding), assess its effects and seek ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate any adverse effects on historic properties.
Green Initiative and Sustainability
Sustainability and Weatherization
The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Nation website offers extensive information on various weatherization and sustainability issues.
RE-SIDING:
Click here to download a copy of Preservation Worcester's brochure that discusses the facts and myths you should consider before you make any decision to re-side your home.
ROOFING:
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/roofing/
WOOD WINDOWS:
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has an extensive section on wood windows:
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/windows/
Included on this link are the following and much more:
- Ten Reasons to Repair Your Old Windows
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/windows/ten-reasons-to-repair.html
A brief list of reasons to repair wood windows
- Window information resources
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/resources/windows.html - Williams, Rebecca. Historic Wood Windows: A Tip Sheet from the National Trust for Historic Preservation
http://www.preservationnation.org/about-us/regional-offices/what-is-preservation/additional- resources/2009-Revised-Window-Tip-Sheet.pdf
This tip sheet provides helpful information on evaluating and repairing your wood windows
INSULATION:
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/insulation/
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS:
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/mechanical-systems/
ENERGY AUDITS:
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/weatherization/audits/
ADDITIONAL LINKS ON WINDOW REPAIR:
Crouch, James, Top Myths About Replacement Windows
Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office
http://www.ncshpo.org/current/pdfinitiatives/SHPO%20windows%20proof.pdf
Green Home Tips from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Includes tip sheets on Historic Wood Windows, making your building energy efficient, and a Green Guide for Traditionally-Constructed Homes.
Interesting Preservation Articles
There's A Difference! A publication from the Massachusetts Historical Commission which clarifies the differences between Local Historic Districts and National Register Districts.