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June 25, 2009
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Old and valuable Regularly receiving requests from communities and property owners, the state Division of Historical Resources must determine which buildings and places are worthy of special distinction, like the Wilton Town Hall, and places that may very well be special or unique but aren’t likely to make the cut. Peter Michaud, of the state Division of Cultural Resources, believes historic preservation programs are underutilized, and the state is hoping to turn that around to get more properties listed. “There’s wonderful resources out there,” Michaud said. The Wilton Town Hall was recently honored with its placement on the National Register for Historic Places. Built in 1884, the Town Hall initially consolidated town functions, including town offices, police, library and an auditorium. Today, the Town Hall is a popular film-viewing destination. The Town Hall made the cut in two areas considered by the National Park Service when determining historical significance: architecture and its association with events in history, Michaud said. “It’s a wonderful example of Queen Anne style,” Michaud said, adding that its role in consolidating town functions was significant as well. Beyond architecture and association with historic events, the Park Service considers associations with famous or prominent people and archeology. Assuming a smooth process, an eligible property can make the Register in as little as four or five months. Michaud said the state has one property that’s been in the works for a few years now. In many cases, there’s no rush, he said. The state finds out about important places in a variety of ways. Sometimes community members or property owners recognize something of significance and they’d like to see it honored in some way, Michaud said. “We get quite a few calls that way,” Michaud said. “That kicks off the National Register process.” Often the state needs to find out a little bit about a building to determine if it’s worth investing the time and money in the process. The state conducts its own intensive survey. “The survey is a good identification step,” Michaud said. The survey lets community members analyze a property. Perhaps the property is ripe for the National Register or the state’s own register of historic places. State officials want detailed descriptions of properties, historical context and an explanation of overall significance, said Mary Kate Ryan, state survey coordinator. “[The state program] allows us to honor properties that may not have what it takes to be on the National Register, but are nonetheless important to communities and state history and should have some recognition for that,” Michaud said. “It’s another means for recognizing these places.” Maybe the result of the survey is otherwise — perhaps it’s a wonderful property but it’s not matching the criteria. “There are properties that have been looked at within a community, but if you put them under more scientific scrutiny, they wouldn’t make it,” Michaud said. “That doesn’t mean they’re still not important to a community.” Michaud said recognizing properties brings a national recognition, a national context to them. Researchers would have access to information on such places on a national level. Michaud also said there’s a current effort in Washington, D.C., to make historic information digital to allow easier access. Especially in the case of municipally owned buildings, there are federal grants available for renovation work on historic properties. Privately owned historic buildings would be eligible for preservation tax incentives, up to a 20-percent tax credit equal to the total rehabilitation cost, Michaud said. In December the state announced that Concord’s Old North Cemetery had been placed on the National Register for its connection to historic events. The cemetery is also the final resting place of President Franklin Pierce. Visit www.wiltontownhalltheatre.com. Visit www.nh.gov/nhdhr or call 271-3483.
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