[MassHistPres] Upcoming virtual panels on local historic districts

[Fiona DiMartino]

When will the details be available for the 11/6 event?

Thanks,

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Fiona M. DiMartino, AICP (she/her)
Deputy Director, Planning Division
Please contact me via email for the fastest response.

Office Phone: 617-625-6600 x2558
Division Email: planning at somervillema.gov<mailto:planning at somervillema.gov>
Website: Planning | City of Somerville<https://www.somervillema.gov/ppz>

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From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of Steinitz, Michael @ SEC via MassHistPres
Sent: Thursday, October 8, 2026 10:25 AM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Upcoming virtual panels on local historic districts

Reposting the message below from a listserv member.

Michael
Michael Steinitz
MassHistPres Administrator

I'm involved with this event listed below, which may be of interest to many of the people on this list....


Susan Navarre

Executive Director

Fitchburg Historical Society



director at fitchburghistoricalsociety.com<mailto:director at fitchburghistoricalsociety.com>

978-345-1157

fitchburghistoricalsociety.com  Fitchburg Historical Society (@fitchhistsocy.bsky.social) - Bluesky<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/bsky.app/profile/fitchhistsocy.bsky.social__;!!O9h35Ks8fCsF!GAVvNfgvKDjekYTfZZCPxzE7NZUl7I42BwQSX4vCdpXklKON7qVidLw-V_hdAJP2M_RLp8hW-ZiwgCoiKJERnCQbrABMGc28Ko8F0XIVSg$>





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Join MHA for a two-part Conversation on the Commons on strategies for success in creating Local Historic Districts (LHD)
Creating a Local Historical District can be a daunting process, not only with respect to the legwork and research, but in educating local property owners, businesses, and other residents, and successfully passing it into law. Join us for a twofer Conversation on the Commons on having your work cut out for you but making it bear fruit with members of Historic District Commissions who have gone through the process. What are the opportunities for engaging people in topics that interest them? How can you propose strategies/processes that raise interest rather than hackles and get those who worry to join the process? What are some of the standard objections to local districts and how can we respond to them? What works and what doesn't?

Part One, October 9: "Finding and Engaging Community Ambassadors"
In the first Conversations, we will talk about making friends during the process of engaging residents and owners in the process of designing the district. Chris Skelly and Gloria Greis will explore what opportunities there are to positively engage and educate residents during the process of creating plans, procedures, and bylaws that for your town.
Featured panelists: Chris Skelly (Skelly Preservation Services) & Gloria Greis (Needham History Center & Museum)

Part Two, November 6: "Keys to success from those who have done it"
In the second Conversation, we will as both successful and (previously) unsuccessful commissions what works and what doesn't as you are bringing a local historic district proposal to the town for an eventual vote at town meeting or in the city council. How long should this take? What if there is a group of vocal opponents? How might you combat rumors and false narratives? Are there precedents to be followed? How can community engagement bring in those who doubt rather than leaving them outside?
Featured panelists: Jim Neilson & Peter Wilner (Ashland Historical Commission)

To register for these free, one hour, noontime conversations, and for more info go to the Massachusetts History Alliance website: https://masshistorycommons.org/public-square/conversations/<https://masshistorycommons.org/public-square/conversations/>

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