AMHERST — Amherst is moving forward with a process for creating a third local historic district, in the East Amherst village center, where homes, buildings and other structures could receive enhanced protections.
The Local Historic District Commission is meeting virtually July 17 at 6:30 p.m. to get input on the concept of placing 46 properties, centered on the intersection of Main, North East and South East streets, into the new district. Much of the area, also known as lower Main Street, is already part of a National Historic Register District.
“This area features well-preserved historic buildings that together create a unique and cohesive look into Amherst’s past,” reads a notice for the meeting. “The purpose of this meeting is to hear from property owners and Amherst residents regarding their comments, concerns and questions about this proposed district.”
Since fall 2024, a subcommittee of the commission has been working with Chris Skelly, a historic preservation planning consultant, to research and gather information on the properties and determine the boundaries of the district.
In addition, a survey also was sent to 120 property owners in and near the district on April 16, though there were only 15 responses, with more opposing the idea than supporting it. Those who disagree with creating the new district cited the additional time and money associated with making improvements to their properties, while those who supported it appreciate the extra protections that could be offered.
The area is already filled with numerous rentals, with many of the homes used during the academic year by undergraduate college students.
Walker Powell, a planner for the town, explained at a June 9 meeting of the Local Historic District Commission that there is interest in getting more feedback before moving forward with the effort.
The town has previously created two local historic districts, one centered on the Emily Dickinson Museum on Main Street, established in 2012, and the other encompassing the North Prospect-Lincoln-Sunset neighborhoods, established in 2017. Both received positive votes at Town Meeting. No new districts have been created in the current Town Council form of government, which began in 2018.
Many of the buildings in the proposed district were built before the Civil War and some date to the 1700s.
The current map shows buildings including the Jewish Community of Amherst, which is housed in the former Second Congregational Church at 742 Main St., the East Street School and a former tavern turned into law offices, located next to the Fort River School. The school, though, and a new school building under construction next to it, would not be included.
A narrative included in the packet for the commission meeting states the area originated as the town’s main civic, commercial and industrial area until the arrival of the railroad in the mid-19th century.
Some of the other properties are the Noah Dickinson House at 743 Main St., built circa 1754, the Daniel Kellogg House at 76 North East St., built around 1758 and the Clapp Tavern at 6 South East St., opened in 1737 and believed to have been the site of meetings to plan Daniel Shay’s Rebellion.
Other notable structures include the Smith House East at 797 Main St., opened circa 1825 to 1840, which is also an example of multiple workers’ housing, and the Ebenezer Mattoon House, 58 South East St. and built circa 1782, which takes its name from a Revolutionary War general and congressman.
In addition to maintaining the architectural significance of buildings the proposed district could also preserve the East Amherst commons as an open space and other elements of the previous commercial center, including a former hat shop and a former dairy farm.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.