Local and Municipal Groups Involved in Preservation
Many communities want to protect the historic character of their downtowns, village centers, neighborhoods or rural areas. A range of tools and strategies are available. Most towns working to preserve historic character utilize a combination of tools and strategies. Preserving Community Character: A Preservation Planning Handbook for New Hampshire published by the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is a comprehensive guide. You can view a digital version here. Printed copies are also available for purchase through our store.
Some communities have programs and groups such as Heritage Commissions, Historic District Commissions, and/or a Certified Local Government program to aid in the preservation of the buildings within their municipality. You can read more about these groups below.
Curious about the difference between a Heritage Commission, Historic District Commission and Historical Society? Check out this comparison chart.
The National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.
A National Register district is initiated at the local level for ultimate approval by both the state and federal government. Such districts are strictly honorary, and impose no review or restrictions on the use or alterations to properties in the district unless state or federal funds, permits or licenses are involved. Then a consulting review process must be followed, called Section 106, that aims to eliminate, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects to historic resources brought about by the federally funded, licensed, or permitted action.
The National Register nomination process usually starts with your State’s Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). In New Hampshire that office is the Division of Historical Resources. Contact them for National Register Information, research material, and necessary forms to begin the nomination process. If the property is on federal or tribal land, then the process starts with the Federal Preservation Office or Tribal Preservation Office.
The State Register of Historic Places
Project Review & Compliance (Section 106)
The Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is New Hampshire's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Under state and federal laws, the DHR works with other governmental agencies to review publicly-assisted projects that may affect historical or archeological resources. Historic preservation "Review & Compliance" (R&C) is a consultation process to identify significant historic properties in the planning stage of a project, so that any harm to them can be avoided or minimized. It is intended to be a conflict-resolution and problem-solving process that balances the public interest in historic preservation with the public benefit from a variety of governmental initiatives.
Survey, Demolition Review, Master Planning, and Other Tools
Historical Resource Survey
A priority task for the heritage commission or municipal planning department is the clarification of what the community's historical resources are. This is generally accomplished by undertaking a survey or inventory of historical buildings, structures, and sites. A historical resource survey can aid in understanding the community's historic character and assist in determining which resources take preservation priority and why. It provides ready access to accurate, usable information so that the municipality can make informed decisions in a timely way. The historical resource survey also offers valuable guidance for a preservation chapter for the community's master plan.
Some surveys cover only a specific area of a community or a distinctive property type, such as historic barns.
How to conduct a historical resource survey
Master Plans, New Hampshire
Advocates for preservation can make an immediate contribution to preservation planning by working with town governments to include a chapter on Historic and Cultural Resources as an optional component of the state-required municipal Master Plan. Master Plans contain descriptive information, analysis of local trends, technical data, and annotated maps, and formulate policies for the community to manage and direct growth, development, and change. The historical and cultural resources chapter should provide a historical overview, identify significant resources and areas that illustrate that history, and offer goals and action items to manage change that might impact those resources. A heritage commission should take an active role in writing this chapter, but volunteers can also come together to compile this information and might want to include the recommendation that the town form a heritage commission.
Examples of Master Plans:
Stratham Master Plan, Historic Resources Chapter
Moultonborough Master Plan Historic Resources Chapter
In 2006, the NH Preservation Alliance published a handbook, Preserving Community Character: A Preservation Planning Handbook for New Hampshire. This was designed to meet the need for information about the preservation and planning tools and techniques available to municipalities. While often spearheaded by the local heritage or historic district commission, these strategies can be evaluated and implemented by citizen petition or other arms of local government. These tools offer an array of opportunities to protect and preserve the cultural, historical, or even natural resources of the community. Each has a different purpose and effect on the preservation of a community's character. Some can be implemented independently, while others are designed to be used in tandem. In any event, for these strategies and methods to be effective, they require support and commitment from within the community.
Demolition Review Ordinance
Several of New Hampshire's heritage commissions have spearheaded demolition review ordinances for their community. While the ordinance does not prevent the demolition of a historic building, it does bring the proposed action to the attention of the heritage commission and the general public. Through community discussion, education, and exploration of alternatives, demolition review ordinances have helped save a number of buildings from the wrecking ball. Other benefits include keeping a historic property on the tax rolls and spurring creative new development.
Protecting Historic Resources Through Demolition Review
NH Communities with Demolition Review Ordinances
Belmont Exeter North Hampton
Concord Hampton Falls Rye
Laconia Keene Stratham
New Hampshire Town And City
Planning New Hampshire's Future: The State Development Plan, Regional Master Plans, Local Master Plans, Capital Improvement Plans, and Community Services Master Plan - New Hampshire Town and City, September/October 2015 By Stephen Buckley
Example of Master Plan, Dover, NH
Getting Started With Your Old Building is a quick-start guide for community preservation projects. Whether you are new to the preservation or a seasoned veteran, we hope the following questions and resources will help you better understand your project and work effectively to restore it for years of future use.
Other Resources
Accessibility for Historic Buildings: A Field Guide
National Park Service Brief #32, Making Historic Properties Accessible
Quick Links to Pages in the Landmark Resources Section
Financial Resources Planning & Preservation Education & Advocacy