Historical Commission Purpose

The Holyoke Historical Commission is a seven-member board established on November 20, 1972 by a vote of the Holyoke Board of Alderman/City Council.

The Commission's most important goal is the preservation of Holyoke's historic places. The purpose of the Holyoke Historical Commission is to work toward this goal by planning for and implementing programs for the identification, evaluation and protection of its community's historic resources.

The Holyoke Historical Commission works in cooperation with other municipal agencies to insure that the goals of historic preservation are considered in planning for future development of the community. The Commission also coordinates with other local groups whose interests involve history or historic preservation; The Commission also serves as the liaison between these groups on matters pertaining to historic preservation programs; and is mandated to be the local municipal "watchdog" for state and federal preservation agencies, alerting them to local preservation issues.

The Holyoke Historical Commission administers Wistariahurst Museum. The Commission; hires its director, and helps provide guidelines on museum policy and its collections.

The Duties:

Chapter 40, Section 8d of Massachusetts General Laws identifies five responsibilities for all commissions established under this Chapter:

• Conducting research on places of historical or architectural value
• Cooperating with the State Archaeologist in conducting surveys and reporting on sites
• Coordinating with other preservation organizations
• Keeping accurate records of its actions and filling an annual report and
• Maintaining a membership of not less than three or more than seven members, duly appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.

Optional responsibilities include:

• Prepare and distribute publications
• Make recommendations to the City Council, and Massachusetts Historical Commission
• Hold hearings
• Enter into contracts and other agreements
• Accept gifts to further its work
• Hire staff and
• Acquire property in the community's name

To contact the Holyoke Historical Commission, you may write the Commission at the Wistariahurst Museum, 238 Cabot Street, Holyoke, MA.  01040 or call 413-322-5660, http://www.wistariahurst.org

HELPFUL LINKS

Massachusetts Historical Commission http://www.state.ma.us/sec/mhc

National Trust for Historic Preservation http://www.preservationonline.org/

Massachusetts Preservation http://www.preservationmass.org/

Victorian Homes http://www.victorianhomesmag.com/

Fairfield Avenue Local Historic District

Demolition Delay Ordinance

Endangered Buildings and Structures