Tag: Half Crown-Marsh

Members Sought for Three Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Commissions

Posted on by cambridgehistoricalcommission

Are you looking to become more involved in your neighborhood? Cambridge City Manager, Yi-An Huang, is seeking to fill vacancies for members and alternate members for the following Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) Commissions: Avon Hill, Half Crown-Marsh, and Mid Cambridge. Homeowners and renters alike are welcome!

Apply here: https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Board/Vacant. Read on for more information.

A mansard style single family residence at 41 Gibson St, situated within the Half Crown-Marsh Neighborhood Conservation District

What is a Neighborhood Conservation District?

Neighborhood Conservation Districts were established by city ordinance in 1983. Conservation district designation recognizes a distinctive physical environment that reflects the architectural, cultural, political, economic, or social history of the city. NCDs foster wider public knowledge and appreciation of such neighborhoods. Designation encourages the conservation and maintenance of these areas so that the city may be a more attractive and desirable place in which to live and work.

Ware Hall, an historic residential apartment building at 383 Harvard St, situated within the Mid Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District

Each NCD commission includes five members and three alternates. Most members must reside in the respective district; renters, as well as homeowners, are encouraged to apply.

More information is available through the following links: 

Mid Cambridge NCD: cambridgema.gov/midcambridgencd

Avon Hill NCD: cambridgema.gov/avonhillncd

Half Crown-Marsh NCD: cambridgema.gov/halfcrownmarshncd

What are the Membership/Meeting Expectations?

The volunteer commissions meet monthly and are supported by the professional staff of the Cambridge Historical Commission. Applicants should have knowledge and concern for improvement, conservation, and enhancement of the district. The composition of each Commission shall represent the diversity of the designated neighborhood in terms of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and property ownership or tenancy.

Who Should Apply?

Individuals interested in being considered should apply through the city’s online application system at https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Board/Vacant and select the respective commission.  A cover letter and resumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process.

Questions?

If you have questions about the application process or need assistance, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 617.349.4300 or boardsandcommissions@cambridgema.gov.

For general questions, please contact our office at histcomm@cambridgema.gov or 617.349.4683

A street view of colorful Victorian-style houses with a clear blue sky, featuring a 'One Way' sign and parked cars along the brick-paved road.
View of houses along Lancaster St, situated within the Avon Hill Neighborhood Conservation District

Members Sought for Three Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Commissions

Posted on by cambridgehistoricalcommission

Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking to fill vacancies for members and alternate members the following Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) Commissions: Mid Cambridge, Avon Hill, and Half Crown-Marsh. The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, February 6, 2023. 

23-29 Ware Street in Mid Cambridge

What is a Neighborhood Conservation District?

Neighborhood Conservation Districts were established by city ordinance in 1983. Conservation district designation recognizes a distinctive physical environment that reflects the architectural, cultural, political, economic, or social history of the city. NCDs foster wider public knowledge and appreciation of such neighborhoods. Designation encourages the conservation and maintenance of these areas so that the city may be a more attractive and desirable place in which to live and work.  

Each NCD commission includes five members and three alternates. Most members must reside in the respective district; renters, as well as homeowners, are encouraged to apply. More information and maps of each NCD are available through the following links: 

Mid Cambridge NCD, Cambridgema.gov/midcambridgencd
Avon Hill NCD, Cambridgema.gov/avonhillncd
Half Crown-Marsh NCD, Cambridgema.gov/halfcrownmarshncd

81 Washington Avenue in Avon Hill

Who Should Apply?

Experience in the fields of real estate, architecture, or historic preservation is desirable. Appointments to these Commissions are made by the City Manager, with regard for a diversity of viewpoints and experience.  

What are the Membership/Meeting Expectations?

The volunteer commissions meet monthly and are supported by the professional staff of the Cambridge Historical Commission. Applicants should have an interest in architecture and local history and be committed to conserving and enhancing the characteristic built environment of the neighborhood. The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Kenway Street in Half Crown-Marsh

How to Apply?

Individuals interested in being considered should apply through the city’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply and select the respective commission.  A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are also available through the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, February 6, 2023. 

Spring 2022 Walking Tour Series

Posted on by cambridgehistoricalcommission

This spring, the staff of the Cambridge Historical Commission will offer walking tours exploring the history, development, and uses of neighborhood conservation districts. What is an NCD? How are they created and by whom? What makes a neighborhood special and worth preserving?

The four-part series will begin on May 14 with a walk through the Half Crown-Marsh NCD in Old Cambridge. Tours on June 4, 11, and 16 will explore the proposed East Cambridge NCD. Each tour will take about 90 minutes.


Saturday, May 14: Half Crown-Marsh Neighborhood Conservation District at 11:00am. Meet on Mt. Auburn Street at the corner of Brewer Street (in front of Darwin’s).
Tour leaders Eric Hill, the CHC’s survey director, and Jim Van Sickle, a longtime member of the district commission, will provide an overview of the Half Crown-Marsh NCD and highlight some of the area’s history and architecture. This NCD of approximately 200 buildings represents a blending of what were once two separate NCDS. The district is west of Harvard Square between Brattle Street and the river; it is bounded by Hilliard Street on the east and Lowell Street on the west and bisected by Longfellow Park.

Saturday June 4: East Cambridge History and Architecture at 11:00 AM. Meet at Centanni Park, Third Street at Otis Street.
East Cambridge is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. It was developed in the late 18th century by Andrew Craigie, a land speculator, who convinced Middlesex County to build its new courthouse not in Old Cambridge but in East Cambridge. The tour will be led by the architectural historian Susan Maycock, the author of Survey of Architectural History: East Cambridge (1988) and co-author of Building Old Cambridge (2016).

Saturday, June 11: East Cambridge Preservation and Development at 11:00 AM. Meet at 11:00 AM at Gold Star Mothers Park, corner of Winter and Fifth streets.
East Cambridge is one of the oldest and most densely settled neighborhoods in the city, with a rich mixture of early- to mid-19th century architectural styles, traversed by a traditional neighborhood shopping street. It is also a source of naturally occurring affordable housing. Trends in Cambridge real estate often increase the pressure for development, which can lead to inappropriate alterations or destruction of significant buildings. Charles Sullivan and Eric Hill of the Cambridge Historical Commission will discuss the current proposal to establish a neighborhood conservation district in the area.

Thursday, June 16: East Cambridge Preservation and Development. Meet at 6:00 PM at Timothy Toomey Park, Third and Bent streets.

A repeat of the June 11 tour.