Upcoming MHC Workshops
Below is the spring 2022 schedule of workshops. Workshops are still over Zoom only for the foreseeable future. Click on the workshop titles below to register.
We will now be offering two ticket options: the LIVE ticket will allow you to attend the Zoom “in person” and receive a recording after the workshop ends; with the RECORDING ticket you will not receive the Zoom link but will receive a recording of the workshop. You do not need to register for both; the LIVE ticket will provide you with a recording in case you can’t make the workshop.
Becoming a Certified Local Government – Friday, January 14, 10 am
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.
Adopting a Demolition Delay Bylaw or Ordinance – Thursday, January 27, 7 pm
Demolition delay bylaws/ordinances are one of the most critical preservation tools a community can adopt. While they do not fully prevent the demolition of historic resources, they provide for a pause in the demolition process, allowing for the exploration of alternatives to demolition. This workshop will discuss the history of demolition delay bylaws/ordinances and how your community might go about adopting one. Please note that the focus of this workshop is adopting a demolition delay bylaw/ordinance; administering these bylaws/ordinances will be covered only briefly, but will be discussed in detail at a later workshop.
Introduction to Historic Preservation – Tuesday, February 8, 10 am
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.