Concord Historical Commission

Concord Historical Commission. The Concord Historical Commission is a municipal preservation organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the historic and cultural heritage of Concord, Massachusetts, a town renowned for its significant role in the American Revolution, particularly the Battle of Lexington and Concord. The commission works closely with the National Park Service, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and other organizations to preserve the town's historic character, including the Old North Bridge, The Wayside, and the Ralph Waldo Emerson House. The commission's efforts are also informed by the work of notable historians, such as David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin, who have written extensively about American history, including the Salem witch trials and the Boston Massacre.

● Introduction

The Concord Historical Commission was established in 1967 to identify, evaluate, and protect the town's historic resources, including buildings, landscapes, and archaeological sites, such as the Minute Man National Historical Park and the Concord Museum. The commission's work is guided by the principles of historic preservation, as outlined in the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and is influenced by the work of preservationists, such as Jane Jacobs and Vincent Scully, who have advocated for the importance of preserving historic neighborhoods, like the North End, Boston and the Beacon Hill, Boston. The commission's members are appointed by the Concord, Massachusetts Board of Selectmen and include representatives from the Concord Historic District Commission, the Concord Museum, and other local organizations, such as the Concord Art Association and the Concord Players. The commission's work is also informed by the research of scholars, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau, who have written about the history and culture of Concord, Massachusetts and the surrounding region, including the Merrimack River and the Walden Pond.

● History

The Concord Historical Commission has a long history of protecting and promoting the town's historic resources, dating back to the early 20th century, when the Concord Antiquarian Society was established to preserve the town's historic buildings and artifacts, including the Old Manse and the Walden Pond. The commission's work has been influenced by the town's rich history, including its role in the American Revolution, the Transcendentalist movement, and the Abolitionist movement, which were led by notable figures, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and William Lloyd Garrison. The commission has also worked to preserve the town's historic landscapes, including the Concord River and the Assabet River, which have been the subject of works by artists, such as Thomas Cole and Albert Bierstadt. The commission's efforts have been recognized by organizations, such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Massachusetts Historical Society, which have awarded the commission grants and awards for its work in preserving the town's historic resources, including the Concord Town Hall and the Trinitarian Congregational Church.

● Responsibilities

The Concord Historical Commission is responsible for identifying and evaluating the town's historic resources, including buildings, landscapes, and archaeological sites, such as the Concord Battleground and the Buttrick Mansion. The commission's responsibilities include conducting historic resource surveys, such as the Concord Historic Resource Survey, and preparing historic preservation plans, such as the Concord Historic Preservation Plan. The commission also provides technical assistance and guidance to property owners, developers, and other stakeholders on historic preservation issues, including the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and the Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit. The commission's work is informed by the research of scholars, such as Robert Frost and Ezra Pound, who have written about the history and culture of New England and the surrounding region, including the White Mountains and the Cape Cod.

● Historic Preservation

The Concord Historical Commission is committed to preserving the town's historic character and promoting historic preservation practices, such as the National Register of Historic Places and the Local Historic Districts. The commission works closely with the National Park Service, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and other organizations to preserve the town's historic resources, including the Old North Bridge and the The Wayside. The commission's efforts are also informed by the work of preservationists, such as Lady Bird Johnson and Stewart Udall, who have advocated for the importance of preserving historic landscapes, like the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The commission's work is guided by the principles of historic preservation, as outlined in the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and is influenced by the research of scholars, such as John Muir and Aldo Leopold, who have written about the importance of preserving historic and natural resources, including the Yosemite National Park and the Grand Canyon.

● Notable Properties

The Concord Historical Commission has identified numerous historic properties in Concord, Massachusetts, including the Ralph Waldo Emerson House, the Walden Pond, and the Old Manse. The commission has also worked to preserve the town's historic landscapes, including the Concord River and the Assabet River, which have been the subject of works by artists, such as Thomas Cole and Albert Bierstadt. The commission's efforts have been recognized by organizations, such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Massachusetts Historical Society, which have awarded the commission grants and awards for its work in preserving the town's historic resources, including the Concord Town Hall and the Trinitarian Congregational Church. The commission's work is informed by the research of scholars, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau, who have written about the history and culture of Concord, Massachusetts and the surrounding region, including the Merrimack River and the Walden Pond.

● Activities and Events

The Concord Historical Commission hosts a variety of activities and events throughout the year, including historic house tours, such as the Concord Historic House Tour, and historic preservation workshops, such as the Concord Historic Preservation Workshop. The commission also participates in regional and national historic preservation conferences, such as the National Preservation Conference and the New England Historic Preservation Conference. The commission's work is informed by the research of scholars, such as David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin, who have written extensively about American history, including the Salem witch trials and the Boston Massacre. The commission's efforts are also influenced by the work of preservationists, such as Jane Jacobs and Vincent Scully, who have advocated for the importance of preserving historic neighborhoods, like the North End, Boston and the Beacon Hill, Boston. The commission's activities and events are designed to promote historic preservation and educate the public about the importance of preserving the town's historic resources, including the Old North Bridge and the The Wayside. Category:Historic preservation in Massachusetts