Newton Historical Commission
The
City of Newton is located just west of Boston, best known
for its suburban landscape characterized by many villages and neighborhoods.
It has been active in preserving its exceptional resources and includes
two important local historic districts, Newton Upper Falls and Chestnut
Hill. In 2002, residents of a Newtonville neighborhood, located
north of the Massachusetts Turnpike and Washington Street, approached
the Newton Historical Commission requesting local historic district
consideration, to add a third district in the City. Gretchen Schuler's
AM 750 Neighborhood Conservation class provided assistance to the
neighborhood residents in the preparation of a local historic district
study report.
Students conducted historic resource
survey for the area, attended neighborhood meetings, and reviewed
Newton's existing local historic districts and the ordinance governing
them. The final report included the survey forms, a description
of the historic and architectural significance of the neighborhood,
a proposal for a new district and its boundaries, and an explanation
of the necessary steps to implement the district.
The study was adopted by the Newton
Historical Commission following a presentation by the students,
and the district was adopted by the Board of Alderman during the
following year.
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