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Historical Commission
- 1st Monday of every month
Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes | View Minutes 2011 and Older
The Hingham Historical Commission (HHC) is the town’s historic preservation agency and is charged with identifying and designating historic resources by listing them on the historic inventory. Currently, there are over 1,500 assets listed.
The Hingham Historic Districts Commission (HDC) is a separate town commission charged with reviewing alterations proposed to the exteriors of homes in a Historic District. The HDC operates independently of the HHC.
The 2022 Virginia Tay Memorial Lecture Series event, which featured presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham, is now available to be viewed online. Please follow this link to complete this form to register and receive access to the video. Jon Meacham Video registration form
Meacham's lecture is entitled "The Soul of America," also the title of one of his bestselling books, published in 2018. He lectured on "Hope through History" with commentary about "The Soul of America" and "The Art of Leadership: Lessons from the American Presidency."
The Virginia Tay Memorial Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the Hingham Historical Commission and Mary Anne Donaldson, along with the Town of Hingham, is named in honor of Donaldson's late identical twin sister, Virginia Tay. Tay was active in all facets of historic preservation in Hingham.
When Tay moved to Hingham in the 1990s, she took an avid interest in restoring the 1822 country federal home she purchased. She served on various historically-oriented entities, including as Chairman of the Hingham Historical Commission, President of the Hingham Historical Society and Chairman of the Hingham Historic Districts Commission.
Before her passing, she was planning a speaker series that would serve as an educational vehicle for interested South Shore residents. When Donaldson relocated to Hingham in 2021, her first priority was to continue the legacy of her sister's mission, which was to enlighten community members with the ideas of great thinkers.
Established in 1974, the Hingham Historical Commission:
- Determines items to be added to the inventory
- Protects designated properties, archeological sites and architectural assets throughout the town;
- Preserves the integrity of Hingham’s many significant buildings through the administration of the Preservation Projects Fund as well as the Greenbush Historic Preservation Trust Fund;
- Honors local students with an annual HHC Essay Contest
- Honors exceptional homes and projects with Preservation Awards;
- Works to educate new homeowners on the elements of their older homes; and
- Publishes books and other written material on the town’s historic assets.
The HHC advises private and commercial owners, institutions, and public agencies on historic preservation issues, and participates in reviews of state and federal projects that impact historic resources.
Members
Names | Term Expires |
---|---|
Kevin Burke, Chair |
2023 |
Elizabeth Dings | 2023 |
Stephen Dempsey | 2023 |
Robert Stansell | 2023 |
Stephen Jiranek | 2024 |
Brendan Concannon | 2025 |
Vacancy |
-
Andrea Young
Administrator
-
Historic Preservation
Physical Address
210 Central Street
Hingham, MA 02043-2759
Phone: 781-741-1492
Hours
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Tuesday
8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.Friday
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.