The Mattapoisett Historical Commission is pleased to announce that Skelly Preservation Services, in cooperation with the Mattapoisett Historical Commission, has completed a Historic Property Survey Plan for the Town of Mattapoisett. A survey plan serves to guide a community in identifying and documenting community-wide historic resources. Identification and documentation of community resources is the foundation for community resource planning and an up to date inventory is integral to preserving the Town’s historical resources. The existing property survey for Mattapoisett was completed in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. It is outdated and incomplete, and it does not meet current survey standards.
The project was funded by the Community Preservation Act.
The planning process included reviewing current survey forms and adding historic properties throughout all neighborhoods. Preliminary research identified over 1000 potentially historic properties with approximately 300 priority properties. Prioritization criteria included suggested significance, likelihood of loss, properties never surveyed or those with outdated and incomplete documentation, properties with a high level of integrity which were able to convey historical associations or attributes and areas that highlighted underrepresented communities.
The Mattapoisett Historical Commission has applied to the Massachusetts State Historical Commission and to the Mattapoisett Community Preservation Act Committee for matching grants of $15,000.00 to hire a preservation consultant to begin the inventory process and complete the inventory forms. Inventory forms are the primary means for recording information on the history, location and appearances of resources. They are digitized in an easily accessible database and are available on the Massachusetts Historical Commission website, (MACRIS.) The information serves as a basis for determining if properties are eligible for listing in the National Historic register. The National Historic Register is a formal recognition of the significance of a property in the nation’s history, culture or archeology. The information is also valuable to homeowners interested in the history of their properties, and it serves to enhance the greater community’s appreciation of its history and culture.
It is anticipated that this will be a multiyear effort. Phase One will focus on 92 Priority One properties, and it is expected to be completed in one year.
The Mattapoisett Historical Commission is excited to assist in documenting the rich and diverse history of the town. This history dates back thousands of years to when the land was occupied by Indigenous people to a shipping port in the 1700s and shipbuilding and salt works in the 1800s.
The Survey Plan is available on the Mattapoisett Historical Commission website, and a copy is available at the Mattapoisett Public Library.