The Massachusetts Most Endangered
Historic Resources Program

Program Background

Since 1993, Preservation Massachusetts (PM) has identified and aided in the preservation of endangered historic resources across the Commonwealth. As our core advocacy and education program, the Most Endangered Historic Resources Program allows PM to utilize its statewide visibility to spotlight places, buildings, or structures under threat, increase awareness about them, and work collaboratively with key stakeholders to deliver positive outcomes. 
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Though the program is only an honorary designation, it can serve as a catalyst for action and opportunities. PM works with listed resources as priority projects, drawing upon our staff expertise, technical assistance abilities, and networks in an effort to see the listed resources and the people committed to them put on the path toward preservation.

2022 Program Update 

Our Most Endangered Historic Resources (MER) Program is back in 2022 to highlight threatened buildings, structures, and landscapes across the Commonwealth. The theme for the 2022 MER Program is “Planning for Community,” and we’re spotlighting resources that are not only historically significant, but also emphasize continued importance and possibility to their communities. The 2022 MER list will be announced in November, 2022 during our Most Endangered Historic Resources Month.

Nominations for the 2022 MER list will be accepted from May 1 until August 31. To submit a nomination, please utilize our Nomination Portal.* Before beginning the online nomination application, please check out our 2022 MER Application Prep Sheet, which includes detailed information about the MER Program, the application, and submission instructions. Please note that the online application does not allow you to save your progress once you begin. Use the Application Prep Sheet to plan your responses. Do not submit the Prep Sheet in lieu of the online application.  

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*Please be sure you are using the following web browsers to ensure that the MER Nomination Portal appears correctly: Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. We discourage using Internet Explorer. 

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Save the date! PM will host three Preservation Conversations about the MER Program. The first, an overview of the MER application process, was held on May 25 and is available on our YouTube channel or view below. Registration for the next Preservation Conversation, "MER 201: Defining Success," is now open. Whether you’re new to the nomination process or a veteran of the program, we highly encourage all applicants to attend these virtual sessions. CLICK HERE to register for MER 201: Defining Success. 

Additional Resources & Information

• 15 Questions for Dealing With A Threatened Resource

• Preservation Conversations: Threatened Historic Buildings (video)