Historical Commission

black and white photo of a streetCommission Meetings

The Commission typically meets third Tuesday of every month starting at 7 at the Maynard Public Library. This is not a regular schedule so please check the meeting calendar to confirm our next meeting.

Historical Commission Meeting Minutes and Agendas

Mission

The Maynard Historical Commission's mission is to preserve, protect and develop the historic and archaeological assets of the community; ensure that the goals of historic preservation are considered in the planning and future development of the community.

The Commission also reviews and enforces the town's Demolition Delay Bylaw (see below) in concert with the Building Inspector.

Learn more about our responsibilities and roles within town government (and how we differ from the Maynard Historical Society).

Contacting the Commission

You can send an email to the Historical Commission at histcom@townofmaynard.net.

Joining the Commission

The Historical Commission is actively seeking Alternate Members. We have an active set of projects and encourage anyone who has an interest in local history to consider joining the Commission as an Alternate Member. Alternate Members participate in Commission meetings and hearings, contribute to Commission projects, and can be designated as a temporary voting member to fill in for an absent Commissioner.

Members

  • Priscilla Sandberg, Chair
  • Lee Eyler, Clerk
  • Ellen Duggan, CPC Representative
  • Paul Lesage, Treasurer
  • Brion Berghaus, Member
  • John Courville, Alternate Member
  • Pamela Agner, Alternate Member
  • David Mark, Alternate Member
  • (open) Alternate Member
  • (open) Alternate Member

News & Updates

Local History Resources at the Maynard Public Library & Beyond

MHC Projects

maynard-house-145main-300x241Demolition Delay By-law

January 2017 the Historical Commission-sponsored Demolition Delay By-law to Town Meeting was approval at the Special Town Meeting. The by-law's purpose is to preserve and protect significant buildings or other structures within the Town of Maynard which constitute or reflect distinctive features of the architectural, cultural, economic, political or social history of the Town and to limit the detrimental effect of demolition of such buildings on the character and value of real property resources of the Town.

Through this By-law, owners of Preferably Preserved buildings are encouraged to seek out alternative options that will preserve, rehabilitate or restore such buildings and residents of the Town are alerted to impending demolitions of significant buildings. By preserving and protecting significant buildings, this By-law promotes the public welfare by making the Town a more attractive and desirable place in which to live and work.

Demolition Delay By-law Resources

Historic Preservation Guide Opens in new windowHistoric Preservation Guide

This comprehensive guide to Historic Preservation is available to residents, business owners, developers and town officials. It covers historic preservation practices at the national, state and local level and provides resources and success stories for approaching preservation projects.

The guide was authored by Haley Fritz in collaboration with the Maynard Historical Commission and Bill Nemser, Planning Director. The guide was part of a Gold Award Project under the auspices of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts.

Guide contents:

  1. What is Historic Preservation
  2. National Preservation
  3. State Preservation
  4. Local Preservation
  5. Sample Building Assessment
  6. Public Relations in Historic Preservation
  7. Private Development and Historic Preservation
  8. Historic Preservation for Homeowners
  9. Additional Resources
  10. Preservation Success Stories

Download a copy of the Historic Preservation Guide (PDF)