Stephen Yerly, University of Florida, Master of Urban and Regional Planning
The Island of Nantucket is a historic community located off the coast of Massachusetts. The island has a vibrant history that includes a close association with the whaling industry of the 19th century. Following the decline of the whaling industry Nantucket commodified its beaches and historic resources to create the modern vacation destination that it is today. Much of the island’s charm is tied to being historically authentic and its uniqueness as a well-preserved place. My research is focused on the regulatory framework and practices that exist on the island of Nantucket and how these processes have impacted the idea of authenticity and preservation on the island community.
In 1983 students working in the PIN summer program worked to develop a property maintenance manual. The intent of this manual was to provide homeowners with an accessible guide for basic home repairs and condition surveys. My research has focused on the relevance of the proposed maintenance manual based on changes in concepts of authenticity, aesthetic, and regulatory process as they have occurred between the date of the report in 1983 and current island conditions in 2022.
Nantucket presents itself as a historically authentic community. This image is protected through a regulatory framework that requires architectural review for nearly all exterior alterations and new construction. Ensuring that Nantucket’s regulatory framework for maintenance, new construction and land use represents best practices in the field of historic preservation and building sciences is critical for the island’s future.
The research methodology utilized for this report included meetings with Nantucket’s Historic Preservation Planner, Holly Backus, the current Executive Director of Nantucket Preservation Trust, Mary Bergman, as well as work with Colin Evens, a local restoration and preservation tradesmen. Additionally, I conducted a literature review of topics relevant to historic preservation and authenticity, and finally, I drew from my own experience as a tradesman and municipal planner.
My research found that the Historic District Commission (HDC) reviews more applications for Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) than any community of its size. Nantucket uses a set of guidelines, “Building with Nantucket in Mind,” which was last updated in 1992. The island does not currently have any ordinance or property maintenance inspection process. In addition, Nantucket recently became a Certified Local Government (CLG) however, it operates two separate historic commissions, one for architectural review and one for long term planning.
Property maintenance, historic preservation and building sciences are an ever-changing field. Community values, building materials, and construction codes require constant updates and therefore regularly reviewing planning documents and regulatory process is a necessity. My research, conclusions and recommendations are areas that could be further researched by future students or governmental agencies. Minimally, “Building with Nantucket in Mind” should be updated, as it is currently thirty years old and not representative of current best practices in preservation, building or regulatory framework.
Citation List
- Denenberg, T. (2003). Wallace Nutting and the invention of Old America. Yale University Press.
- Lang, J. C., & Stout, K. (Eds. 2). (1992). Building with Nantucket in mind: Guidelines for protecting the historic architecture and landscape of Nantucket Island. Nantucket Historic District Commission.
- Mason, R., & In Page, M. (2020). Giving preservation a history: Histories of historic preservation in the United States. 2nd edition. Taylor and Francis. Kindle Edition
- Nantucket Preservation Trust. (2013). NPT Memorandum: Best practices for historic district commissions.
- Nantucket Preservation Trust. (2016). Preserving your old house: A resource guide. Nantucket Preservation Trust.
- Page, M. (2016). Why preservation matters (Why X Matters Series).Yale University Press. Kindle Edition.
- Ruskin, J. (1969). The seven lamps of architecture. London: Dent
- Tipson, D.F.. (2004). Putting the history back in historic preservation. Urban Lawyer, The. 36. 289-316
Contact List
- Holly E. Backus, Town of Nantucket, Historic Preservation Planner
- Mary Bergman, Executive Director, Nantucket Preservation Trust
- Colin Evans, “Colin Evans Preservation and Restoration”