May/June 2020 Volume XLIII, No. 3 PRESERVATION CONNECTICUT NEWS Preservation Connecticut celebrates 45 years of service ince it was founded in 1975, Preservation Connecticut (originally the Connecticut Trust S for Historic Preservation) has worked in many ways to rescue, celebrate, protect, and revitalize the historic places that make Connecticut unique and enrich the lives of its residents. In observance of PCT’s anniversary, we present a timeline highlighting activities over the past 45 years, beginning on page 4. For photo identifications and credits, see pages 4-9 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 2– Preservation Under Lockdown 10– Around the State 20– Grants for Preservation Preservation under lockdown ike other segments of society, preserva- L tionists have been staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Offices are closed, events have been postponed or cancelled, and field visits put on hold. Yet, also like other segments of society, we have been searching for ways to stay active and in touch. To keep government operating safely, Governor Lamont issued a series of execu- tive orders aimed at reducing person-to- Since March, Preservation Connecticut staff have been meeting by Zoom. person contact. Under the orders: • local preservation commissions are Historic sites and historical organiza- online and virtual activity to continue at allowed to meet virtually or by tele- tions have bolstered their online presence. higher levels than before the pandemic. To phone; When Weir Farm, Connecticut’s only allow for this, organizations should review • timelines for commissions to make national park, closed, it added photo their bylaws to make sure they allow for decisions are extended to 90 days; galleries, essays, and virtual tours to its virtual meetings. • requirements for newspaper, posted, website. The New Britain Industrial The economic consequences of the and in-person notification are elimi- Museum sends a weekly e-newsletter pandemic will not go away quickly. Many nated; with a “What’s This?” feature, while the people are out of work, and many businesses • electronic signing of petitions is Torrington Historical Society offers a are hurting. We can expect that historic allowed; downloadable coloring book. places will experience that two-sided process • the demolition delay period for prop- Looking to the day when the lockdown of neglect that, on the one hand, reduces erties within local historic districts is is lifted, the Connecticut Historical pressure to alter or destroy buildings but, extended from 90 to 180 days (this Society has begun recording the history of on the other, sees them suffer from lack of does not apply to local historic proper- the Covid-19 pandemic in the state. The maintenance. ties, an omission which preservation- society has created an online portal for Funding for preservation will likely ists seek to correct). residents to give first-hand accounts of how be hit, as economic hardship reduces the For the full provisions of the Executive life has changed since the crisis started. charitable giving that many historical and Orders 7B and 7I, visit https://portal.ct.gov/ Stories can be posted on chs.org/covidinct. preservation organizations depend on. Office-of-the-Governor/Governors-Actions/ Increased social media postings have Governments will face reduced tax revenues, Executive-Orders/Governor-Lamonts- been another way to stay active. The New plus the need to pay for emergency measures Executive-Orders. Haven Preservation Trust is re-posting to address the crisis. Putting these measures into effect, the videos of past lectures as well as oral There have been suggestions that the State Historic Preservation Office is only history interviews from its New Haven pandemic may fuel an exodus from cities, accepting electronic applications for grant Modern project. A group of Yale graduates where density is perceived as aiding the applications, tax credit applications, and has created a You Tube page with videos of spread of disease, to suburban or rural requests for environmental review. The lectures by the late architectural historian communities. While current reports indicate office is closed, and staff are not making Vincent Scully. that the pandemic also affects those areas, field visits. The SHPO’s museums, like Online video conferencing has offered the perception of safety still could drive other historical sites, have increased their face-to-face engagement at a safe distance. population to the countryside. If so, this online programming. The Connecticut chapter of the American could have preservation consequences, On a nationwide level, the Heritage Institute of Architects is presenting webi- for both cities—where disinvestment and Emergency National Task Force (HENTF) nars on architectural and preservation population loss would make it harder to find has published a COVID-19 Resource Hub, topics. Preservation Connecticut organized economically viable uses for historic struc- a web portal to resources that can help the an online version of its Connecticut tures and neigborhoods—and rural places, cultural heritage and creative communities Women in Preservation gatherings. which will experience increased development respond to and recover from the pandemic, One thing is certain: when the lock- pressures. Preservationists will need to at https://culturalrescue.si.edu/hentf/major- down ends, the world will be changed in promote adaptive use and sensitive infill. disasters/current-disasters. ways that we cannot foresee. We can expect continued on page 14 2 PRESERVATION CONNECTICUT NEWS, MAY/JUNE 2020 AT THE BOARDING HOUSE From the Executive Director y how things have changed since usually active spring fundraising and Banker and blogs about historic houses M the last issue! We are in week six events schedule has been erased while our at The Front Door Project. Regan of dealing head on with the coronavirus Connecticut Preservation Awards has been Miner, Norwich, is executive director pandemic in Connecticut. At the onset, postponed until September 9, 2020. To of the Norwich Historical Society and Preservation Connecticut staff and board help meet the shortfall that the disruption tourism project coordinator for the City quickly transitioned into working remotely in fundraising has caused, we applied for, of Norwich. James Quinn, Uncasville, and closed the boarding house, except for and will receive, a CARES Act loan, part is an archaeologist and Tribal Historic occasional brief visits by individual staff to of the federal economic stimulus assistance Preservation Officer for the Mohegan collect mail or consult essential files. offered to small businesses and nonprofits. Tribe. Jonathan Wharton, New Haven, Staff has remained employed at full Under the act, loan funds used for salaries is associate professor of Political Science capacity. We continue our weekly meet- or other essential expenses, such as utilities, at Southern Connecticut State University. ings where there is still much to discuss: can be forgiven. And, sadly, we bade farewell to Board ongoing preservation issues statewide, fee In April, the Board held its annual member Mary Catherine Curran, whose for service projects, website maintenance, meeting (remotely) to elect members term had expired. newsletter production, and communica- and officers for the coming year. Please The July issue of Preservation tions with partners and members. welcome our new officers: Caroline Sloat, Connecticut News will feature our As this is written, we’re making plans chair; Tom Nissley, vice-chair; Olivia annual roundup of Great Preservation to host online chat sessions with our White, secretary; Peter Stockman, Opportunities. We ask your help: what Circuit Riders (inspired by our colleagues treasurer; and Garrett Heher, assistant are the historic sites ripe for renovation at Preservation Massachusetts). Staff also treasurer. Many thanks to Sara Bronin and repurposing—maybe even for rescue? plan to participate in a webinar sponsored and Rick Wies, who completed terms as What are the exciting tools and approaches by the Connecticut chapter of the AIA— chair and vice-chair, respectively, and will that have potential to further our signifi- follow our website and social media for remain on the board. cant places? What are the new possibilities dates and times. In addition, four new trustees joined and challenges that arise from changes Another effect of the pandemic and our board: Deb Cohen, West Hartford, wrought by the coronavirus pandemic? shutdown has been a drop in giving. Our is a real estate agent with Coldwell Send them to us. Most importantly, we hope that you are doing well during this difficult period of self-isolation. We at Preservation Preservation Connecticut is a statewide nonprofit membership organization established as the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation by a special act of the State Legislature in 1975. Working with local preservation groups and Connecticut are a community that cares individuals as well as statewide organizations, it encourages, advocates, and facilitates historic preservation throughout for one another. Please reach out to us. We Connecticut. are always here to help. Board of Trustees Advisory Council Preservation Connecticut News —Jane Montanaro Officers Martha Alexander, New Haven Editor: Christopher Wigren Caroline Sloat, chair, Thompson J. Barclay Collins, Sharon Editor, Historic Properties Exchange: Tom Nissley, vice-chair, New Canaan William Crowe, Canton Renée Tribert Olivia White, secretary, Essex Jared