Preservation Massachusetts knows that some of the most valiant and difficult preservation work begins with one concerned citizen trying to preserve a resource in their community. The threat of losing “the oldest house in town” or the “mom & pop general store” on Main Street has turned many people into passionate historic preservation advocates and has led to the establishment of numerous local non-profit organizations, local historic districts and neighborhood organizations across the country.

Below is a snapshot of some tools and initiatives that communities and individuals may utilize in their  advocacy efforts.

Advocacy = Community Empowerment

Preservation Advocacy, like any undertaking, requires the necessary tools to be successful! There are many steps YOU can take to initiate preservation advocacy in your community. To get started, click below to download the “Steps to Successful Advocacy” article. Then contact Preservation Massachusetts for further information. We welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with local citizens and organizations to preserve our heritage through preservation advocacy!

“Steps to Successful Advocacy” PDF

Preservation Massachusetts also has a traveling educational workshop series prepared by our Historic Districts/Historic Commissions Committee.

Religious Properties Toolkit

Preservation Coalition Religious Properties Subcommittee

Immaculate Conception, Holyoke MA - DEMOLISHED June 2006

In 2004 when the Boston Archdiocese announced the impending closures many of their parishes and the disposition of their property, the Preservation Coalition formed their Religious Properties Subcommittee to look at how the preservation community could aid the Archdiocese and closing parishes in recognizing the historic importance of many of the churches, parish houses, schools and convents that were threatened.

The subcommittee compiled a Religious Properties Toolkit, a 600+ page document that offers information about historic religious buildings, how to maintain them, archiving, identifying funding sources and much more.  With examples specific to Massachusetts, this toolkit is invaluable to all parishes or all denominations that are concerned for their historic house of worship.  A PDF is available online, or you can contact Preservation Massachusetts about obtaining a hard copy.

Religious Properties Toolkit

Preservation Massachusetts

Barn Preservation Task Force

Tobacco Barn, Hadley MA

In 2003 Preservation Massachusetts established the Barn Preservation Task Force which seeks to promote the preservation and reuse of historic barns threatened by neglect, development, and changing agricultural needs. Partnering with regional planning agencies and other preservation organizations, the Task Force promotes advocacy, awareness and education about the importance of historic barns and preservation possibilities

With the success of three annual conferences, the Barn Task Force is poised to raise more awareness, assistance and education for the preservation of historic barns across the Commonwealth.

Historic School Building Preservation

Fairhaven High School, Fairhaven MA

In 1997, Historic Massachusetts, Inc., now Preservation Massachusetts, recognized the threat of a state school building program that favored and funded new construction over renovation of older schools in local neighborhoods. During the course of research, it was soon discovered that this is also a nationwide issue of concern. The School Building Initiative was prepared to bring about greater awareness of the benefits of using existing buildings and the challenges communities face as they renovate schools. As the various case studies included in the report demonstrate, existing buildings can not only house extraordinary educational spaces, but they also provide a link to a community’s heritage and protect open space by encouraging rehabilitation over sprawl and new development.

Thanks to a Furthermore Grant, the School Building Initiative is available in print.  A PDF is also available below.

School Building Initiative

To obtain a copy of the School Building Initiative, please call 617-723-3383.