Historic Harwich

Historical Concerns From a Hysterical Citizen

             I've done some digging to find out more about the activities of the Historical Commission and the Historic District Commission using the DVD I got from the MA Historical Commission as a guide. Basically, I'm trying to understand how, in general, throughout the state, historic preservation gets done and to settle in my mind what the pipeline is for Harwich. If I go wrong on some of my assumptions or views, I hope people in the know will respond.

            The reason I'm doing this is because I have an interest in the Historic Harwich Center Initiative which is ongoing. More than anything else, it has to be clear in everyone's mind who is responsible for what and how historic preservation efforts move forward.

            I will not cover everything in this one blog; just the bones. Whatever I say comes from the information I have gleaned from the DVD.

The Uniqueness of MA and Harwich

            Massachusetts is unique in that the state has the largest number of historic resources in the country, not only 17^th  century, but many others to present day. These resources are the reason why people visit the state and move here. Harwich has abundant historic resources. I'm interested in seeing that they are seen and appreciated by visitors and townspeople alike.

Origins of Historic Commissions

            In the 1960s, the state legislature passed MA G.L. Chap. 40 Sec. 8d which allows towns to establish historical commissions.

The Harwich Historical Commission is one of those. The members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen. It is an official agent of municipal government. THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION IS HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNING. Some view it only as a "regulatory" body. That is partly true because the commission oversees, for example, the 180 day demolition delay rule now in place and deals with cases where changes are requested by citizens which effect historic preservation. Nonetheless, the MA Historical Commission is crystal clear about the planning. This is repeated time and again throughout the DVD. In essence, the commissions are generally advisory, but do have regulatory authority.

            In addition to the Historical Commission, Harwich has had for many years a Historic District Commission. The current Harwich Historic District was established in 1969. So, the district commission has had responsibility for the care of the district. Because of problems filling vacancies on the commission and where members were serving on both commissions, the Town Meeting approved allowing members to wear both hats. The state allows this. However, the primary responsibilities have not changed. They conduct business in separate meeting times, usually concurrent.

            In addition, the Harwich Historical Society is a membership organization which currently leases the Brooks Academy Museum from the Town and operates the historical programs and preserves historical matter.

WHERE AM I GOING WITH THIS?

I have written previously about the original Harwich Center Initiative (HCI) reported in year 2000. Because of several reasons, many uncontrollable at the time, including lack of town support, that initiative died out. Despite that, the HCI achieved many changes in Harwich Center.

As I look back, the missing link was the Historical Commission and the Historic District Commission. I can only speculate that it was because the focus of the HCI was on the business end of things and not from the perspective of historic preservation or preservation planning. As a result, the O.R.B. (old rec. bldg.) wasn't even mentioned - ever. This, above all, is the most discouraging piece, that the O.R.B. was identified (and officially sanctioned as eligible for the National Registry of Historic Buildings in 1993 (see Form B in Brooks Library Reference Area). Sadly, there was no evaluation that took place and no effort to protect the building (notwithstanding the refusal of the Town Meeting to allow it to be torn down as some suggested). One of Harwich's well-known historic assets was allowed to sit with no advocacy for it. It should not have happened.

I walked up the ramp to the back door of the Brooks Academy Museum a few days ago. I stared in disbelief at what I saw. In fact, I reached out and touched the west wall to see if it was true. THERE IS STILL VINYL SIDING ON THE WEST AND NORTH WALLS. A year or so ago some of the vinyl siding was removed on the other sides and the columns were fixed. Much to my dismay, I found out that because of errors or some other thing happened in the fix-up, the academy is ineligible for listing on the National and State Registries. I haven't confirmed this, but a credible source says it's true. So, why hasn't the job been finished?

Is this the sort of thing that will happen with the O.R.B.? I'm more anxious than ever.

 GETTING BACK TO PLANNING

            If you are interested in historic preservation, go to the Brooks Library Reference area and thumb through the inventory conducted by the Historical Commission (Consultant Deidre Brotherson) back in 1993. Notebooks are full of Form Bs, the official form designed by the MA Historical Commission.

            The MA Historical Commission declares that there are three parts to historic preservation planning:

• 1.) Identification of resources (Using Form B to document)
• 2.) Evaluation
• 3.) Protection

Without an inventory of historic resources, no effective planning can take place, no effective public education plan can take place, and no stance for advocacy possible.

In 1993, it appears that a substantial amount of work went into an inventory. All of the villages are included. I understand that $50,000 has been approved to do something about an inventory this year and to review the boundaries of the current Historic District. The expansion of the district to include some addresses was recommended back in 1993, SIXTEEN YEARS ago.

In 1993, there were 49 sites in Harwich Center alone recommended for the National Register, including the O.R.B. None were applied for. There must be good reasons why. I haven't looked into any of that.

NO CRITICISM FROM ME.

            I appreciate the enormity of the problems facing any Historical Commission, especially when there doesn't seem to be a large pool of townspeople who want to dedicate a significant amount of their time. I applaud the current members, sincerely, who are struggling with it today. But, here's the deal. The Historic Harwich Center Initiative is meeting regularly and has adopted the idea of revitalizing the Center through heightening social activities that will draw people to the Center. At a recent meeting, I agreed with others that the "working" committee is working on two levels. One, on the level of increasing traffic in the Center, and two, on the level of working on the infrastructure. I understand time, too. I will be long gone before many of the visions I have are realized, if at all. My only hope is that the "I" in "Initiative" becomes "I" as in "Impetus".

            Still absent - The Historical Commission and the Historic District Commission. Members of the HHCI may be members of the commission, but so far there is no official representation that there is a PLAN in the offing. If there is the HHCI should know about it.

LOTS OF PROBLEMS - VAGUE SOLUTIONS

            Quite frankly, I'm no expert in any of this and 100% of everyone I come in contact with certainly will agree with that. Some would say that I'm tilting at windmills, but there is a way to approach this and that is to engage a consultant from the MA Historic Commission (or other) who can help put the ducks in a row; to give concrete advice on how to organize this. I don't think we have to re-invent the wheel. Several towns in MA have plans in place. I believe that the impetus for this should come from the BOS.

Right now, I have the feeling that things are shooting off into space in different directions. I know that the Initiative has become part of the Planning Department's Comprehensive Plan, but I have yet to see what that entails or what priority there is. Though I have stated my vision of the district, I have failed to make myself clear enough to have the powers that be hold a meeting(s) to develop a historic preservation PLAN to make the Historic District a tourist destination or reveal anything to the public that might help recruit prospective members of the commissions. In short, people need to know what needs to be done and they are motivated by a mission.

Good for the Town of Harwich

            I am pleased to see that the Harwich Junior Theatre will be leasing the O.R.B. as of September 2009. The town is most fortunate and I commend all who took part in making this a reality.

On Another Note (repeat):

 ATTENTION ALL MEN. The I-Bake-Da-Pie Club is looking for members. The Harwich Historical Society's Annual Pie Sale is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, 2009. Normally, 100 pies are sold at this event and the complaint has been that there aren't any pies left over. So, we are recruiting men (only) to bake additional pies for the sale. The goal is to raise the number to 200. We will have donations of the ingredients, including the pie crusts. Each baker, including bakers of the first 100 will receive a special button certifying membership in the I-Bake-Da-Pie Club (as illustrated). For details, contact me at jprophet4@verizon.net.

Comments, criticisms, and suggestions about anything in this or any blog of mine are most welcome.

I'll have my Vallium now.