Join us for this session on the “whys” and “hows” of preservation easements for homeowners and community projects. While this tool is growing in popularity and use, it is still much less known than its conservation easement “sister.” The Preservation Alliance is eager to share information on its usefulness as a stewardship tool.

Jennifer Goodman and Beverly Thomas of the N.H. Preservation Alliance will offer basic definitions and strategy advice. Tim Cook of Lyme, NH and Carl Schmidt of Orford, NH will offer portraits of their use of preservation easements to meet personal and community goals in this illustrated talk.

Preservation easements are individually-crafted legal agreements that typically prohibit demolition of the historic structures and offers guidance to protect major architectural and site features while allowing flexibility. The terms of the easement are in the property’s deed and run with the property to successive owners.

Preservation easements held by the Preservation Alliance protect a c. 1700 seacoast home built by a New Hampshire founder, a 1790 tavern in Hopkinton, a church significant for its association with its African-American history in Portsmouth, and the farm associated with the statesman and orator Daniel Webster. (Photo: The Putnam family recently protected their historically-significant family property in Keene with a preservation easement).

This session is free of charge and will be held virtually, via zoom.