Greenbush Historic Preservation Trust

About the Trust

The $1.35 million Greenbush Historic Preservation Trust is the result of a negotiation between the Town of Hingham and the MBTA.  The purpose of the trust is to offset any negative impacts on the Town’s historic resources and unique character resulting from the Greenbush Commuter Rail line.  The trust fund is administered by the Town Treasurer in consultation with the Historical Commission.

The Historical Commission awards a maximum total of $100,000 annually. Funds from the trust may be used for building, structure or landscape preservation, stabilization, protection, rehabilitation, and restoration; for physical improvements to public spaces; or to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal, state or local building or access codes. Eligible Applicants include individual property owners and non-profit organizations that own or lease an historic resource, including the Town.  Projects must be undertaken on properties located in the historic districts that abut the Greenbush Right of Way. Routine maintenance projects are not eligible.  More detailed information is contained in the Guide and Application documents available on the Historical Commission page on the Town of Hingham website, or from the Historical Commission office at Town Hall.

Important Dates for the 2026 Round of Funding

  • Monday March 30, 2026 – Applications Available
  • Monday May 4, 2026 by 12 P.M. - Application deadline 
  • Monday May 18, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. - Project Presentations 
  • Monday June 1, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. – Grant Awards determined and announced 

Application Process

  1. Contact the Historical Commission Administrator Heidi Gaul to ensure that your project meets eligibility requirements.  Email: Gaulh@hingham-ma.gov  
  2. Read the Greenbush Historic Preservation Trust Guide and complete the Application.  Attach all necessary documentation such as photographs, project estimates, and other applicable information.  One hard copy and one electronic copy of the application package are required.
  3. How to Submit - Put application packets in one large envelope addressed to Historical Commission.  Note “Greenbush Trust Application” on the envelope. Either bring the applications to the Historical Commission office on the 2nd floor of Town Hall, 210 Central Street, or drop the large envelope into the Town Hall mailbox located at the end of the circular drive in front of Town Hall. 

Please Note:

  • Grants from the Trust are REIMBURSEMENT grants.  After a project has been completed, applicants must submit paid invoices when requesting reimbursement. 
  • Grant recipients are required to sign a grant agreement that sets forth the terms and conditions necessary for reimbursement. A copy of the grant agreement is available on request by contacting the Administrator.
  • Grants May Be Taxed - Beginning with the 2024 round of funding, the Town of Hingham will issue 1099s to grant recipients and will report payments made to recipients to the IRS, since the grants may be taxable in certain circumstances.   A tax professional will be able to advise a grant recipient regarding personal tax liability.  

A Partial List of Projects that have been funded with grants from the Greenbush Historic Preservation Trust

  • New North Meetinghouse, North Street – Build a ramp to ensure accessibility into the sanctuary; restore the front façade and steps of the church; restore the church organ
  • The Isaac Lane House, North Street, a private residence – Restore historic windows
  • Old Ordinary House Museum – Fund repair and restoration work on the building
  • St. Paul Church – North Street - Restore handicap accessible ramp 
  • Hingham Cemetery Corporation – Fund purchase of bronze plaques to be placed at the entrances noting that the cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places
  • Glastonbury Abbey – Install a new roof on a portion of the tower building, fund accessibility project

History of Greenbush Preservation Funds

The town’s former Greenbush Special Counsel Alexander Macmillan negotiated the trust fund several years ago for the benefit of the town, with the then-Selectmen’s approval. The purpose is to offset negative impacts from the train going through the heart of the downtown area.

Other communities affected by the rail restoration project subsequently followed Hingham’s lead in asking for money for the same purpose.

There are hundreds of buildings on the inventory of historic properties in that area that could be eligible for some of the funds. An agreement between the Town of Hingham and the MBTA, approved by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, provided for a sum of $1.35 million to be placed in a trust administered by the commission.

Not wanting to fund one large project that used up the entire amount, the commission decided earlier to award $100,000-worth of grants a year. The remaining funds are invested by the town treasurer.