Connecticut Preservation News January/February 2012 Volume XXXV, No. 1 C. Wigren Local Historic Districts Protect Property Values Little Plain historic district, Norwich hat are the benefits of historic preservation? For years Historic Districts and Property Values,” was conducted by W property owners in existing or proposed local historic PlaceEconomics, a real estate and economic development con- districts (LHDs) have asked this question, and for years preser- sulting firm based in Washington, D.C. Donovan Rypkema, vationists have answered in terms of protecting the appearance of the firm’s principal, is the nation’s leading authority on the eco- significant neighborhoods. nomics of historic preservation. It turns out that local historic districts also protect property In local historic districts, which are established by munici- values, according to a study released by the Connecticut Trust palities under a state enabling statute, property owners must for Historic Preservation. The study, “Connecticut Local obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the town’s historic district commission before making any alterations to the build- ing that would be visible from a public right-of-way, including In This Issue... demolition or new construction. The purpose of the review is _____________________________________________ to ensure that proposed changes are in keeping with the overall _____________________________________________Technical Assistance Grants 3 historic character of the district. The goal of the study was to analyze what effect (if any) _____________________________________________Around the State 4 local historic district regulations have on residential property values. Similar studies in other states had found that LHDs _____________________________________________Historic Trade Catalogues Online 11 continued on page 8 New on the National Register 12 The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit organization. ISSN 1084-189X At the Trust From the Executive Director ctober saw a new addition to the came from The 1772 Foundation, which is In December, the Board discussed Trust’s staff and the departure of leading an initiative to stimulate revolving the final report of the study and clari- O funds in local and statewide preservation an old friend. We welcomed Terry Grady fied what type of fund the Trust might to our staff as Development Director. organizations. Six New England statewide want. There was consensus that, at the Originally from Michigan, where he honed preservation organizations are at various start of a fund, the Trust would focus on his fund raising skills, Terry recently stages of developing and implementing one specific area, most likely a second-tier worked for the Nature Conservancy here in such funds. We will work together, along city like New London or Norwich. The Connecticut. His first job has been to meet with two well established funds in Boston Trust would actively engage partners, from all trustees and members of the Advisory and Providence, as the New England Department of Economic and Community Council and he is quickly becoming very Consortium for Revolving Funds, sharing Development to local groups including familiar with our operations. We look for- models, best practices and staff training. the municipality, community development ward to great fund raising success under For the Trust, the multiple-phase study organizations, local preservation groups his leadership. started with an analysis of the Trust’s and potential funding partners. The two At the same time, the National Trust existing programs, especially two of its models for a fund that emerged were an for Historic Preservation announced sig- grant programs, Historic Preservation options-based fund--meaning the Trust nificant changes to their regional organiza- Technical Assistance Grants and Vibrant would take an option on an endangered or tion. The Northeast Office of the National Communities Initiative, as well as the bi- keystone historic property in a downtown Trust, in Boston, was disbanded, as were monthly listing of endangered properties and try to sell it for more than the option- the other five regional offices. Most sadly, in Historic Properties Exchange. Subsequent -or a pre-development loan fund for devel- Wendy Nicholas, long-time director of phases of the study consisted of: a compari- opers in downtown areas. The next step for that office, lost her position. Wendy was a son of four revolving funds that represented the Trust is to develop clear goals, a busi- mentor to me in my early years here. Her best practices in historic preservation ness plan, and a capitalization plan. We’ll support for our work, especially our Circuit revolving funds; a needs survey; a Board keep you informed of our progress. Rider program, was unwavering. Across and staff retreat; and three case studies. —Helen Higgins the Northeast region Wendy has been recognized as a dedicated, passionate and very savvy preservation professional. We wish her all the best as she approaches new The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is a nonprofit statewide membership organization established by a special act of the State Legislature in 1975. Working with local preservation groups and individuals as well as statewide career paths. organizations, it encourages, advocates and facilitates historic preservation throughout Connecticut. In the past several months, the Board of Trustees Gubernatorial Appointees Connecticut Preservation News is Connecticut Trust has been exploring an published bimonthly by the Connecticut Officers Theodore F. Ells, Branford Trust for Historic Preservation, 940 Whitney exciting new way of extending our work to Edmund Schmidt, Chairman, Darien Natalie Ketcham, Redding Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut 06517. Edith Pestana, Hartford Publication is made possibly by support of preserve and enhance Connecticut’s histor- Charles Janson, Vice-Chairman, Darien the members of the Connecticut Trust for Edith Pestana, Secretary, Hartford Advisory Council Historic Preservation and by funds provided Martha Alexander, New Haven through the Community Investment Act, ic places. In June 2011, the Trust engaged Edward W. Munster, Treasurer, Haddam Public Act 05-228, Connecticut Commission Walter Fiederowicz, Assistant Treasurer, J. Barclay Collins, Sharon on Culture & Tourism, State of Connecticut, DLJ Consulting, from Washington, D.C., Litchfield William R. Crowe, Canton M. Jodi Rell, Governor. The contents and opinions stated herein do not necessarily to conduct a feasibility study for a new Additional Members of the Jared Edwards, FAIA, West Hartford reflect the views and policies of the State of Board of Trustees Inger Elliott, Stonington Connecticut. The Connecticut Trust revolving fund. A grant for this study Gerald Farrell, Jr., Wallingford for Historic Preservation assumes no Serena Bechtel, Greenwich responsibility for the advertisements. Mimi Findlay, New Canaan Denise Best, Hartford This program receives State financial Michael J. H. Blair, Stonington Glenn Geathers, Hartford assistance for identification and protection Jeanné Chesanow, Cheshire John Herzog, Madison of historic properties. Under Title VI of Lee Kuckro, Wethersfield the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section Leroy Diggs, Danbury 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Robert Faesy, AIA, Wilton Stephen S. Lash, Stonington U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits Lynn Friedman, Madison Charles T. Lee, Greenwich discrimination on the basis of race, color, Peter Malkin, Greenwich national origin or handicap in its federally Ruth Harvey, Glastonbury assisted programs. If you believe you have Adrienne Farrar Houel, Bridgeport Cesar Pelli, FAIA, New Haven been discriminated against in any program, The Hon. Andrew Roraback, Goshen activity, or facility as described above, or if Garry S. Leonard, Madison you desire further information, please write James McLaughlin, Durham John W. Shannahan, Suffield to the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Jeffrey Morgan, South Kent Department of the Interior, Washington, Staff D.C. 20240. Jeffry Muthersbaugh, Bethel and Haddam Helen Higgins, Executive Director © 2011, Connecticut Trust for Historic Thomas W. Nissley, New Canaan Christopher Wigren, Deputy Director Preservation. All rights reserved. Donald Poland, Hartford Brad Schide, Connecticut Circuit Rider ISSN 1084-189X George Purtill, Glastonbury Gregory Farmer, Connecticut Circuit Rider The Hon. Kelvin Roldan, Hartford Jane Montanaro, Preservation Services Officer Caroline Sloat, Thompson Kathleen von Jena, Membership and Office Manager Robert Svensk, Southport Todd Levine, Director, Historic Barns of Connecticut John B. Toomey, Jr., Bolton Charlotte Hitchcock, Lead Researcher, Historic Barns of Connecticut Jane Vercelli, Thompson Kristen Young, Project Assistant, Historic Barns of Connecticut Jeanne Webb, Bolton Terry Allen Grady, Development Officer Richard N. Wies, AIA, Branford Douglas Williams, Thompson Connecticut Preservation News Editor: Christopher Wigren Hiram P. Williams, South Kent Editor, Historic Properties Exchange: Jane Montanaro Graphic Design: David Wolfram, Middletown Terry Grady, the Connecticut Trust’s new Printing: Kramer Printing, West Haven Development Director 2 CONNECTICUT PRESERVATION NEWS, January/February 2012 Trust Awards Technical Assistance Grants Village for Families and Children he Connecticut Trust awarded T $215,608 in Historic Preservation Technical Assistance grants in December, which will make possible a total