Travel the backroads of almost anywhere in Massachusetts and you’ll see once-handsome country homes, neglected and crumbling. Faltering reminders of a simpler time, having outlived generations, but doomed to demolition by neglect. Occasionally, a town or wealthy individual might find value in these properties and make the necessary investments to revive them. But these days, only the most outstanding properties get noticed.
However, there is a little-known program that at least provides hope for the rejuvenation of some of the empty historic structures that dot the landscape. The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Historic Curatorship Program, ( https://www.mass.gov/info-details/historic-curatorship-program) allows people to live in historic state-owned homes and restore them, rent-free. Sure, it’s not likely to be a h
ugely popular alternative to home ownership, since the state retains ownership and requires that continual improvements be made. But, the idea of people with the skills and passion for reviving the past committing themselves to adopt a state-owned property, is a sustainable model. And it can work, unless, of course, bureaucracy gets in way.
A flaw in the curatorship program allows a city or town to collect local property taxes from the intrepid souls brave enough to take on a project where their time and investments will not result in ownership. This tax can only serve to further discourage those that might be interested in becoming resident curators. Rather, municipalities should join the state in recognizing the value of qualified citizens dedicating themselves to the revitalization of failing historic homes.
The Mass History Alliance supports DCR’s Resident Curator program and calls for the elimination of local property taxes on resident curator properties. We urge the State Senate to pass bill Bill S1769 and help save our State’s historic assets!