Boston Landmarks Commission

Boston Landmarks Commission is a governmental agency responsible for preserving and protecting the historic and architectural heritage of Boston, Massachusetts. The commission was established in 1975, with the goal of identifying and designating historic landmarks and districts throughout the city, in collaboration with the National Park Service, Massachusetts Historical Commission, and Boston Preservation Alliance. The commission works closely with other city agencies, such as the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the Boston Planning and Development Agency, to ensure that historic properties are preserved and protected. The commission's efforts are also supported by organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Boston Landmarks Orchestra.

● History

The Boston Landmarks Commission was established in 1975, as a result of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which required cities to establish historic preservation commissions to identify and protect historic properties. The commission's early work was influenced by the Boston Society of Architects and the American Institute of Architects, and it has since worked to designate historic landmarks and districts, such as the Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, and Fenway-Kenmore. The commission has also collaborated with other organizations, including the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Office, the New England Museum Association, and the Boston Athenaeum, to promote historic preservation and education. Additionally, the commission has worked with local institutions, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Boston Public Library, to preserve and promote the city's cultural heritage.

● Responsibilities

The Boston Landmarks Commission is responsible for identifying and designating historic landmarks and districts, as well as reviewing and approving proposals for alterations to designated properties, in accordance with the Massachusetts General Laws and the Boston Zoning Code. The commission works closely with property owners, such as the Archdiocese of Boston and the City of Boston, to ensure that historic properties are preserved and protected. The commission also provides technical assistance and guidance to property owners, and works with other city agencies, such as the Boston Housing Authority and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, to ensure that historic properties are protected and preserved. Furthermore, the commission collaborates with organizations like the National Register of Historic Places, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution, to promote historic preservation and education.

● Designation Process

The designation process involves a thorough review of a property's historic and architectural significance, as well as its integrity and condition, in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The commission considers factors such as the property's association with significant events or people, such as Paul Revere or Samuel Adams, and its architectural style, such as Federal architecture or Art Deco. The commission also considers the property's relationship to other historic properties and districts, such as the Charlestown Navy Yard or the Esplanade. Once a property is designated, the commission works with the property owner to develop a preservation plan, in collaboration with organizations like the Historic New England and the Preservation Society of New England.

● Landmarks and Districts

The Boston Landmarks Commission has designated numerous historic landmarks and districts throughout the city, including the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, and Quincy Market. The commission has also designated historic districts, such as the Beacon Hill Historic District and the North End Historic District, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other notable designations include the Boston Public Garden, the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, and the Harvard University campus, which are also recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architects and the National Association of Olmsted Parks. Additionally, the commission has designated historic landmarks and districts in other neighborhoods, such as the Roxbury Heritage Trail and the Dorchester Historical Society.

● Commission Members and Staff

The Boston Landmarks Commission is composed of seven members, who are appointed by the Mayor of Boston and confirmed by the Boston City Council. The commission members include experts in historic preservation, architecture, and urban planning, such as Robert Campbell (architect) and Peggy Levitt. The commission staff includes preservation planners, architects, and historians, who work together to identify and designate historic landmarks and districts, and to review and approve proposals for alterations to designated properties. The commission also works with other city agencies, such as the Boston Department of Neighborhood Development and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, to ensure that historic properties are preserved and protected.

● Notable Designations

Some of the commission's most notable designations include the USS Constitution, the Bunker Hill Monument, and the Old North Church, which are all recognized by the National Park Service and the United States Navy. The commission has also designated historic landmarks and districts associated with significant events and people, such as the Boston Massacre and Crispus Attucks. Other notable designations include the Museum of Science (Boston), the New England Aquarium, and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, which are also recognized by the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the American Alliance of Museums. Additionally, the commission has designated historic landmarks and districts in other neighborhoods, such as the Jamaica Plain Historical Society and the Roxbury Historical Society. The commission's designations are also recognized by organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Category:Historic preservation in Boston, Massachusetts