The Historical Commission's Mission
New Projects
2021 Amp Solar Projects: Per the Town Solar Zoning Bylaw and the Historical Commission's mission, the Commission is consulting with the Planning Board and Solar Developer in order to identify and preserve historical and cultural resources within the area affected by the proposed development. This review includes both pre-colonial and colonial/settler resource areas. Should these project areas be subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Commission will also seek to consult with the relevant federal agencies.
Massachusetts Historical Commission
June 11, 2021 Letter from MHC to AMP Solar
October 19, 2021 Letter from MCH to AMP Solar
Leverett Road West Project
Massachusetts Historical Commission Response
Amp Letter to Tribal Historic Preservation Officers
Historical Commission's Report on Leverett Road West Project
Montague Road/Carver Road Project
Massachusetts Historical Commission Response
Amp Letter to Tribal Historic Preservation Officers
Historical Commission's Report on Montague/Carver Road Project
Pratt Corner East Project
Massachusetts Historical Commission Response
Amp Letter to Tribal Historic Preservation Officers
Historical Commission's Report on Pratt Corner East Project
Pratt Corner South Project
Massachusetts Historical Commission Response
Amp Letter to Tribal Historic Preservation Officers
Historical Commission's Report on Pratt Corner South Project
Pratt Corner West Project
Massachusetts Historical Commission Response
Amp Letter to Tribal Historic Preservation Officers
Historical Commission's Report on Pratt Corner West Project
Indigenous Cultural Sites in Shutesbury
Over the past several months, the Historical Commission has been exploring how we can best preserve Indigenous cultural sites in Shutesbury. We have been conducting research and working with consultants in order to deepen our understanding of Indigenous history in our region. We are planning educational programming for the public in the near future and have produced an Introduction to Indigenous Cultural Sites in Shutesbury. This report addresses a number of issues, including Indigenous land use, social justice, as well as the effects of Eurocentric bias in historical preservation. We hope this report and future programming will heighten awareness of Indigenous heritage sites in this region and respect for the continuing presence of our Indigenous neighbors. Additional educational materials are planned for later release. See link below for additional information about Native American cultural heritage and preservation.
Solar Zoning Bylaw
With the planned development of several new large-scale solar projects in Shutesbury, the community has begun discussing issues such as our Town's Zoning Bylaws. In the report below, entitled Historical Preservation and Solar Development in Shutesbury, the Historical Commission offers guidance on how our current zoning provides essential tools for equitable and appropriate historical preservation with large-scale development projects. We hope town committees and residents alike will find this analysis helpful in understanding some of the more complex aspects of historical preservation.
Historic Districts
The Historical Commission is in the early stages of exploring the possible development of Historic Districts in town.
Digitization and Archiving
We are beginning the planning stages for inventorying and digitizing historical collections owned by the Historical Commission. These records, including donated material collected over the years, are currently housed in the Old Town Hall. We have recently been approved to receive technical assistance from the Massachusetts Roving Archivist Program through the Massachusetts State Historical Advisory Board and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. In the coming months, we will be looking for town volunteers to assist with the indexing and digitizing effort.
Upcoming Meetings
The most recent and up-to-date meeting notices are available on the Town Calendar.
All meetings will be held virtually until the Stay-at-home COVID-19 mandate has been lifted. The zoom meeting link is provided in the meeting's posted agenda. All of our meetings are public and the public is always welcome.