National Register of Historic Places

Streetscapes of Historic Woodville

photographed by Bill Shaw and Ron Yankee

M.G.L. authorizes the establishment of an historical commission “for the preservation, protection and development of the historical or archeological assets of such city or town”.

Projects entrusted to the Commission include conducting research for places of historic or archeological value, assisting cooperatively with others engaged in such research, and carrying out other initiatives for the purpose of protecting and preserving such places.

The Commission may have a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of seven (7) members, appointed for staggered three (3) year terms.

Hopkinton Historical Commission FY’06 Goals

1.      Identify and publicize to residents and town boards, the rich historical fabric of Hopkinton’s some 600 historic structures & properties; almost 40 are from the 1700’s, 128 from 1800-1850, 392 from the period 1850 to 1900 when the town’s big build-out occurred, and about 40 from the period 1900 to 1930.  Almost 60 have been identified as worthy of nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

2.      Develop the Historical Commission’s web site to include above information as well as links to photos of properties in town and historic resources on preservation.

3.      Work with relevant town boards to develop zoning and planning tools or other mechanisms to protect historic structures.

4.      Identify economic options available to property owners of historic properties to offset improvement costs; these may include tax, grant, and other options.

5.      Explore with relevant town boards and groups the economic advantages of historic preservation.

6.      Identify projects for CPA funding and determine needed funding levels; these include potentially repair work on the Gatehouse, stonework on the Sudbury River Bridge and facing on the Blood’s Pond culvert.

7.      Explore grant-funding sources for public buildings within Historic Districts as an option for work on the Whitehall Gatehouse.  If available, apply and begin work.

8.      Complete the Hopkinton Train Depot’s move and restoration at Ice House Pond.

9.      Complete and install signs for the Train Depot and Blood’s Pond Dam sites.

Recap of FY ’05 Goals and Accomplishments

1. Creation of a Woodville Historic District

2. Completion of the historic preservation of the Blood’s Pond Dam

3. Preservation of the Whitehall Gatehouse

4. Completion of Phase I of photo scanning project

5. Continuation of Town Treasures Project – over 100 mark hit!