Historical Commission

While the response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) ensues, the Town of Amherst public offices remain closed. Department staff are working remotely and are ready to support your business needs, answer questions and schedule virtual meetings when necessary. Staff are available by email; please consult the Staff Directory to access email links.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION IS ALIVE AND STRONG IN AMHERST.  FROM NORTH AMHERST, TO SOUTH AMHERST, AND TO THE CENTER OF TOWN, HISTORIC PLACES MATTER TO OUR COMMUNITY.


HISTORICAL COMMISSION OVERVIEW

 

 Created in October 1972 by Amherst Town Meeting, the Amherst Historical Commission is charged under local and state law with “the preservation, protection, and development of the historical and archaeological resources of the Town.”  The Commission is responsible for implementing the Amherst Preservation Plan for the entire community and the West Cemetery Preservation Plan for Amherst’s oldest burying ground.

The Commission maintains and updates an inventory of historic properties and sites in Amherst, available for review in the Planning Department office and at Special Collections at the Jones Library. The Commission develops nominations for the listing of historic districts and individual properties on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The Commission undertakes a wide variety of historic preservation projects, including the preservation and restoration of Amherst’s historic public cemeteries, Amherst's three historic commons and several historic parks, public buildings, and sites. The Commission works with other Town boards/committees and community historic preservation groups, interested citizens, and Town staff on such projects. 


​


 JCANorth Library


 

Emily Dickinson House

 

South_Pleasant_Street2

       From Top Left: JCA, North Amherst Library, Emily Dickinson House, Downtown Amherst

 


resources


CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD (3.85 MB) THE 1894 REVISED EDITION OF THE HANDBOOK OF AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS, PREPARED AND PUBLISHED BY FREDERICK H. HITCHCOC

Members

*Appointed by Town Manager: 7 members / 3-year terms
Members
Appointed
Term Expiration
Patricia J. Auth 
2018
2022
Robin Fordham
2018
2022
Jan Marquardt, Vice Chair
2015
2023
Jane Sheffler, Clerk
2019
2021
Hetty Startup
2019
2023
Jane Wald, Chair
2015
2021
Vacancy - 1
n/a
n/a