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Cemetery CPA Application 1 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET I: Project Information Project Title: Priority Historic Gravestone Conservation Project Summary: CPA Funding is sought to conserve gravestones at the Bridge Street, West Farms and Park Street cemeteries. The stones were identified as priorities for conservation in the preservation plans for each cemetery completed in 2016 and 2017. Estimated start date: Spring 2018 Estimated completion date: Winter 2019 CPA Program Area (check all that apply): Open Space X Historic Preservation Community Housing Recreation II: Applicant/Developer Information Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Northampton Historical Commission Property Owner (if applicable): City of Northampton Department of Public Works Organization (if applicable): Northampton Historical Commission Mailing Address: City Hall, 210 Main Street Daytime phone #: 413-587-1263 Fax #: 413-587-1264 E-mail address & Website: http://northamptonma.gov/1052/Historical-Commission http://northamptonma.gov/1798/Park-Street-Cemetery http://northamptonma.gov/1800/West-Farms-Cemetery http://northamptonma.gov/1797/Bridge-Street-Cemetery III: Budget Summary Total budget for project: $100,000 CPA funding request: $100,000. $50,000 will be returned to the CPA if a MassHistoric grant application is successful. CPA request as percentage of total budget: 100%, 50% if state grant is awarded Applicant’s Signature: Date Submitted: January 31, 2018 2 Location: Bridge Street Cemetery, Bridge Street, map ID 25C-260 Narrative: Park Street Cemetery, Park Street, map ID 23A-006 West Farms Cemetery, West Farms Road, map ID 35-015 Project Description: The Historical Commission is seeking Community Preservation Act funding for restoration of the most critical historic gravestones within the Bridge Street, Park Street, and West Farms Cemeteries. The Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association received CPA funds in 2015 to work with landscape architect Martha Lyon on a Preservation Master Plan for the Bridge Street Cemetery. This Plan, now complete, includes historical information, a landscape assessment of the natural, built, and functional features of the Cemetery, an assessment of gravestones and monuments, and recommendations and priorities for treatment of these items to be implemented over time. The DPW also completed a similar Plan for the Park Street and West Farms Cemeteries. The Plans serve as a guide for future restoration and management efforts, and are raising public awareness about the significance of the cemeteries and their importance to the City. The findings of these assessments identified nearly $1.7 million in work necessary across all three cemeteries to ensure their long-term protection. The recommendations include some items, such as roadway and path work, shed maintenance, and signage, that can be accomplished using existing DPW resources, and work has already begun to address these items. Neighborhood groups have expressed interest in fundraising for other items, such as fences and gates. Some tasks are very costly and will require outside technical expertise, and the Historical Commission has begun the process of securing funding for these items on a priority basis to ensure their preservation. The DPW is responsible for ongoing operations of the City’s four cemeteries, including selling cemetery lots, excavating burial sites and maintenance of cemetery grounds, but their resources are limited and do not provide for specialized preservation projects. The Historical Commission agreed that the historical aspects of the City’s cemeteries are an important component of the overall historic fabric of the City, and agreed unanimously in 2017 to take a more active role in cemetery preservation planning. The Commission and DPW agreed that conservation of the Priority #1 gravestones at all three cemeteries – identified in the Plans as requiring ‘immediate conservation treatment’ should be the first historic project implemented. This work will include photographing the stones (before and after conservation treatment), measuring, and fully documenting each stone, in addition to conserving them according to the specific recommendations for each stone as indicated in the Gravestone Assessments. A sample recommendation for a Priority #1 stone is provided as an attachment, and the full recommendations for all stones is provided in the Plan appendices. 3 Cemetery History Excerpts from Preservation Plans – Please see Plans for detailed historical chronologies of each cemetery. Bridge Street Cemetery The Bridge Street Cemetery, established in ca. 1661, is the oldest known extant place of interment in Northampton, and visitors from around the country come to admire its centuries-old, artfully carved gravestones. Located along the north side of Bridge Street at the eastern edge of the city, it began on a small portion at the farthest corner of the “sequestered minister’s lot,” a ten-acre parcel set aside for the minister. It served as the only place of interment until the late 1700s. Several additions of land in the 19th and early 20th centuries brought the cemetery’s total acreage to 19.05, and it remains this size today. It contains the gravesites of many prominent citizens, including Northampton’s early settlers, as well as individuals and families influential in the development of the city, and its landscape reflects Colonial, Victorian and Modern styles of cemetery design. Regardless of its age, the Bridge Street Cemetery remains an active place of interment to this day. The Cemetery is included in the pending Pomeroy Terrace National Register Historic District. Park Street Cemetery The Park Street Cemetery was established in 1825 at the intersection of Park and Meadow Streets, within the residential neighborhood of Florence. Many of the individuals influential in the establishment and growth of Florence are interred at Park Street, including early industrialists and business owners, leaders in the abolitionist and Underground Railroad movements, and members of the Northampton Association of Education and Industry. West Farms Cemetery Established in 1788 in what was then known as “Lonetown,” the 0.898-acre West Farms Cemetery sits below the Mineral Hills on the east side of West Farms Road, surrounded on three sides by private homes. Founded by settlers to this westernmost part of Northampton, it contains the graves of many members of early families and their descendants, and the history of its growth and use reflects the history of the West Farms area of Northampton. Community Preservation Criteria The project meets many of the general CPA evaluation criteria: Contributes to the preservation of Northampton’s unique character, boosts the vitality of the community, and enhances the quality of life for its residents The cemeteries contain graves of some of the earliest settlers of Northampton, as well as notable members of the community and the abolitionist movement. Restoring 4 damaged gravestones will prevent these resources from being lost forever, and will invite more residents and visitors to explore the rich history of the cemeteries and the City. Addresses recommendations contained in the Sustainable Northampton comprehensive plan and/or the Northampton Open Space, Recreation, and Mixed Use Trail Plan 2011- 2018 or is consistent with other city-wide planning efforts that have received broad- based scrutiny and input and can demonstrate wide community support Protection of historical and cultural resources is identified as a priority in these plans. Saves resources that would otherwise be threatened. The project will preserve the most critically in-need gravestones within the City’s historic cemeteries. If not restored, the markers will be lost forever. Places high value on sustainable, ecologically responsible, energy-conserving structures, locations, and materials; demonstrates that the project minimizes the ecological footprint The project seeks to conserve and improve the cemeteries. Preservation work uses materials that are recognized as safe, and the chosen specialist will be experienced in the use of techniques that do not endanger the environment. Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and/or departments, and City residents The project is supported by the Mayor, Historical Commission, Department of Public Works, and neighborhood groups and residents. Support letters are attached, and additional letters will be provided as they are received. Leverages additional public and/or private funds, or demonstrates that other funding sources are not readily available or sufficient Necessary cemetery projects total $1.7 million. Perpetual care funds and other DPW resources will be utilized where possible, and community groups and individuals have expressed interest in pursuing other recommendations. There is no funding source available for the gravestone preservation. The Historical Commission also plans to seek a $50,000 state Preservation Projects Fund grant (due in spring). If this is received, $50,000 will be returned to the CPA. Can be implemented expeditiously and within budget We will issue a request for bids as soon as funding is available. The request is based upon a detailed estimate, which has been adjusted for inflation. Historic Preservation Criteria: Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate properties, features or resources of historical significance 5 The project’s goal is to preserve and restore the most in-need historic markers in the City’s cemeteries. Include a focus on the historical function of a property or site Work will be done in accordance with the detailed recommendations of the Preservation Plan for each cemetery. Demonstrate eligibility for a local, State or National Historic Register listing, and support of the local Historic Commission The application is being submitted by the Historical Commission for work in cemeteries that are significant to the history of Northampton and beyond. The Bridge Street Cemetery is included as a contributing area to the Pomeroy Terrace National Register Historic District, and work is underway to have the Park Street and West Farms cemeteries also determined eligible. Provide assurance of the ability to maintain the historic resource over the long term. Include the granting of a permanent historic preservation restriction or other preservation guarantee All cemeteries are owned, managed, and maintained by the City Project Budget: Conservation of Priority #1 Gravestones, Bridge Street Cemetery: $47,280 Conservation of Priority #1 Gravestones, West Farms Cemetery: $11,600 Conservation of Priority #1 Gravestones, Park Street Cemetery: $36,800 Inflation since estimate: $4,320 TOTAL: $100,000 MPPF Grant Request: $50,000. This amount will be returned to the CPA if the grant is received. Estimates are based upon the budget maximum for work as provided in the budget developed as part of the master planning process. Any unused funds will be returned to the CPA. Project Timeline and Feasibility: We are ready to go out to bid as soon as funding is available 6 Attachments: Support Letters Sample Recommendation for Priority #1 stone Cemetery Master Plans Gravestone Assessment Maps Budget Spreadsheet for All Identified Cemetery Projects H ISTORIC N ORTHAMPTON 46 Bridge Street Northampton, Massachusetts 01060-2428 • 413-584-6011 www.historicnorthampton.org • info@historicnorthampton.org January 29, 2018 Brian Adams Chair, Northampton CPC City Hall, 210 Main Street Northampton MA, 01060 Dear Mr. Adams and Members of the CPC, We are writing in support the Northampton Historical Commission’s CPA application for the conservation of the most vulnerable gravestones and monuments at three of the city’s cemeteries: Bridge Street, West Farms, and Park Street. The stones, which were recently identified through the cemetery preservation planning process, are the ones that are cracked and broken, and/or with carvings that are now barely readable after 250+ years of exposure to the weather. The protection of these stones is important for many reasons. Aside from the implicit stewardship responsibility, the city’s public cemeteries are remarkable resources for discovering aspects of Northampton’s past—from the people who lived here and their contributions, to the information we can learn about the changing ways the dead have been commemorated from the 1700s to the present. What’s more, based on our observations, safeguarding these resources is important not just for scholars or preservationists, but to the public at large. In the last year and a half, Historic Northampton has offered three programs at the Bridge Street cemetery, all of which filled beyond capacity. In addition, many of the people who visit Historic Northampton stop in before or after visiting the Bridge Street Cemetery; they’ve come to see the graves of their ancestors or in the case of many Christian visitors, the grave of David Brainerd. Similar statements can be said for the Park Street Cemetery, where Steve Strimer’s walking tours about the city’s prominent abolitionists regularly attract dozens and dozens of people—most recently more than 100 on Martin Luther King Day! Although the Department of Public Works has done its best caring for the cemeteries, the age and condition of some of the stones require conservation treatments by outside professionals. In keeping with its purpose to safeguard the historic resources of the City of Northampton, the Historical Commission’s request for the conservation treatment of the most hazardous gravestones and monuments is a logical first step. Thank you for your consideration of this important project. We hope you find it worthy of support. Sincerely, Laurie Sanders Co-Director Brian Adams, Chair January 19, 2018 Community Preservation Committee Northampton, MA Dear Mr. Adams, I am writing to you to express my support for CPA funds to be allocated for the conservation of the headstones in Bridge, West Farms and Park Street cemeteries. Beyond my personal belief that the preservation of graveyards of our predecessors is the obligation of every generation, I feel there is no better time than the present to undertake this work. Never has the City of Northampton had a more complete understanding of the assets and deficits, as well as the history, of each of these burial grounds. Never before have residents’ concerns, ideas and colloquial knowledge of these cemeteries been so widely solicited. It is clear that there is widespread interest in the preservation and improvement of Bridge Street, West Farms and Park Street cemeteries. Martha Lyon’s expertise and leadership, combined with an interest on the part of the City, have brought to light the realization that there has been an interest among the public all along. For decades, residents have been noting the poor condition of cemetery headstones, damage caused by intrusive root systems of ancient trees and the unattractive chain-link fencing. My mother and her 11 siblings grew up at 38 Park Street, Florence, where an iron fence separated their yard from the adjacent cemetery. Now, at age 88, she knows that both freed and fugitive slaves and fervent abolitionists were buried in that very cemetery and that the house across the street where she babysat was once the home of none other than Sojourner Truth! Thanks to the efforts of Steve Strimer and countless others, the significance of those interred in Park Street Cemetery is becoming known throughout the city and far beyond. It has meant so much to my mother, being a “Florence girl,” to learn that she grew up in a village with a remarkable history that she can be proud of and causes her to hope, more than ever, that attention will be paid to the graves of those buried there. Ongoing historical research will continue to reveal information about Northampton’s former residents, both common and remarkable. All are equally deserving of the care and conservation of their final resting place by those who came after them. I urge you to vote to approve this proposal. Sincerely, Barbara Pelissier, President Westhampton Historical Society CO N D I T I O N A S S E S S M E N T MO N U M E N T C O NS E R V A T I O N C O L L A B O R A T I V E L L C PO B o x 5 4 1 , N o r f o l k , C T 0 6 0 5 8 8 6 0 3 0 7 6 6 9 5 M C C L L C @ g m a i l . c o m NA M E O N M A R K E R Ma t e r i a l : Ma r k e r T y p e : Co n d . o f I n s c r i p t i o n : In s p e c t i o n D a t e : I n s p e c t e d B y : EX I S T I N G C O N D I T I O N S C O N S E R V A T I O N S T R A T E G Y RE C O M M E N D E D T R E A T M E N T Co m m e n t s : Al l i n f o r m a t i o n g i v e n a n d r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s m a d e h e r e i n a r e b a s e d u p o n o u r r e s e a r c h a n d a r e b e l i e v e d t o b e a c c u r a t e , b u t n o gu a r a n t e e , e i t h e r e x p r e s s e d o r i m p l i e d , i n m a d e w i t h r e s p e c t t h e r e t o . © M O N U M E N T C O N S E R V A T I O N C O L L A B O R A T I V E L L C Ma r k e r # O l d B u r y i n g G r o u n d , N o r t h a m p t o n , M A 1 0 / 2 3 / 2 0 1 5 I S & M J CO N S E R V A T I O N P R I O R I T Y 1) H a z a r d o u s , i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n 2) U n s t a b l e – a s a p 3) O n g o i n g d e t e r i o r a t i o n , t r e a t 2 - 5 y e a r s Ge o r g e P h i p p s He a d s t o n e o n b a s e Ma r b l e Le g i b l e Un s t a b l e L e v e l ba s e Re s e t a l l e l e m e n t s 1. I n s p e c t s o u n d n e s s o f s e t t i n g j o i n t o f m a r k e r t o b a s e , i f u n s t a - bl e , r e m o v e a l l u n i t s f r o m i n g r o u n d b a s e . 2. E x c a v a t e a r e a a r o u n d e x i s t i n g b a s e . 3. A l i g n b a s e w i t h a d j a c e n t m a r k e r s a n d r e - s e t l e v e l . 4. B a c k f i l l w i t h t a m p e d g r a v e l a n d r e - g r a d e w i t h e x i s t i n g t o p s o i l 5. I f s e t t i n g j o i n t w a s u n s o u n d , r e m o v e f a i l e d s e t t i n g m o r t a r a n d , i f re q u i r e d , r e p l a c e s e t t i n g p i n s w i t h t h r e a d e d s t a i n l e s s p i n s . 6. P r i m e s e t t i n g s u r f a c e s w i t h A c r y l 6 0 d i l u t e d 1 : 3 w i t h w a t e r . 7. R e - s e t m a r k e r p l u m b o n t o b a s e / s w i t h a c e m e n t / l i m e m o r t a r (3 / 2 / 9 ) w i t h 0 0 0 s a n d 8. R e m o v e e x c e s s m o r t a r a n d , i f r e q u i r e d , b r a c e m a r k e r m i n 3 da y s . 6. H . 8 1 Bridge Street Cemetery Preservation Master Plan C-94 No r t h a m p t o n ,  Ma s s a c h u s e t t s  His t o r i c  Ce m e t e r i e s Pr o j e c t e d  Re s t o r a t i o n  Bu d g e t s  ‐   Se p t e m b e r  20 1 7 Pr i o r i t y C e m e t e r y / P r o j e c t B u d g e t  Mi n i m u m B u d g e t  Ma x i m u m P o s s i b l e  Fu n d i n g  So u r c e s Implemented  by  City  Crews  (Y/N)Notes Br i d g e  St r e e t  Ce m e t e r y * 1 C e m e t e r y  Fe n c e  & Ga t e s    Br i d g e  St r e e t  Ed g e  + Ea s t / W e s t  Se c t i o n  of  Pa r s o n s  St r e e t 50 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            60 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                  No r t h / S o u t h  Se c t i o n  of  Pa r s o n s  St r e e t 58 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            65 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                  No r t h  + Or c h a r d  St r e e t  Ed g e s 14 , 4 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            20 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                  Re a r  of  Pa r s o n s  St r e e t  Ho m e s 8, 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                12 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                  Re a r  of  Or c h a r d  St r e e t  Ho m e s 22 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            27 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               2 C o n s e r v a t i o n  of  Pr i o r i t y  #1  Gr a v e s t o n e s 41 , 7 5 0 . 0 0 $                                            47 , 2 8 0 . 0 0 $                                               Ma s s a c h u s e t t s  His t o r i c a l  Co m m s s i o n ,  CP A 3 R o a d w a y  an d  Pa t h s 1 1 4 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                         20 0 , 7 5 0 . 0 0 $                                           Y 4 S i g n  an d  In t e r p r e t i v e  Pr o g r a m 7 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                10 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               Ma s s H u m a n i t i e s 5 C o n s e r v a t i o n  of  Pr i o r i t y  #2  Gr a v e s t o n e s 47 , 6 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            52 , 2 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               Ma s s a c h u s e t t s  His t o r i c a l  Co m m s s i o n ,  CP A 6 T r e e  Re ‐Pl a n t i n g  Pla n  (D e s i g n  Fe e s ) 5, 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                7,5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                    7 T o m b  St a b i l i z a t i o n    De s i g n / E n g i n e e r i n g  Fe e s 10 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            11 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                  To w n  Re c e i v i n g  To m b 40 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            46 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               CP A    An s e l  Wr i g h t  To m b 25 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            28 , 7 5 0 . 0 0 $                                               CP A    Se t h  Wr i g h t  To m b 5, 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                6,0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                    CP A    Ba t e s  To m b 75 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            10 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                           Ma s s a c h u s e t t s  His t o r i c a l  Co m m s s i o n ,  CP A 8 C o n s e r v a t i o n  of  Pr i o r i t y  #3  Gr a v e s t o n e s 28 , 3 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            33 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               Ma s s a c h u s e t t s  His t o r i c a l  Co m m s s i o n ,  CP A 9 C e m e t e r y  Wa t e r  Sy s t e m  (E n g i n e e r i n g  Fe e s ) 5 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                7,5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                    10 C e m e t e r y  Ma i n t e n a n c e  Sh e d 1 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            20 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               Y 11 B a t e s  To m b  Co m p l e t e  Re s t o r a t i o n 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                         50 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                           Ma s s a c h u s e t t s  His t o r i c a l  Co m m s s i o n ,  CP A 12 P a r s o n  St r e e t  Up g r a d e s  (D e s i g n  Fe e s ) 50 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            75 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               Ch a p t e r  90 13 B e n c h  Pr o g r a m  (D e s i g n  Fe e s ) 2 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                3,0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                    Su b t o t a l ,  Br i d g e  St r e e t  Ce m e t e r y 92 0 , 5 5 0 . 0 0 $                                         1,3 3 2 , 4 8 0 . 0 0 $                                    We s t  Fa r m s  Ce m e t e r y 1 C e m e t e r y  Ed g e s 4 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            49 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               Y 2 C e m e t e r y  Ro a d w a y 6 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                6,8 7 5 . 0 0 $                                                    3 C o n s e r v a t i o n  of  Pr i o r i t y  #1  Gr a v e s t o n e s 9, 8 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                11 , 6 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               CP A 4 C e m e t e r y  Si g n 2 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                3,0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                    5 C o n s e r v a t i o n  of  Pr i o r i t y  #s  2  an d  3  Gr a v e s t o n e s 35 , 2 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            41 , 8 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               CP A 6 T r e e  Re ‐pl a n t i n g  Pla n  (D e s i g n  Fe e s ) 1, 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                2,0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                    7 C e m e t e r y  Fl a g p o l e 3 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                4,0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                    Y  (Installation) Su b t o t a l ,  We s t  Fa r m s  Ce m e t e r y 10 1 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                         11 8 , 2 7 5 . 0 0 $                                           Pa r k  St r e e t  Ce m e t e r y 1 C e m e t e r y  Ed g e s  an d  En t r a n c e s    Ch a i n  Lin k  Fe n c i n g 14 , 9 5 0 . 0 0 $                                            17 , 1 9 0 . 0 0 $                                                  Or n a m e n t a l  Fe n c i n g 48 , 6 2 0 . 0 0 $                                            56 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               2 C o n s e r v a t i o n  of  Pr i o r i t y  #1  Gr a v e s t o n e s 30 , 3 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            36 , 8 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               CP A 3 C e m e t e r y  Ro a d w a y  an d  Pa t h s 1 9 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            21 , 8 5 0 . 0 0 $                                               Y 4 C e m e t e r y  Si g n s 2 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                3,0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                    5 C o n s e r v a t i o n  of  Pr i o r i t y  #s  2  an d  3  Gr a v e s t o n e s 26 , 6 5 0 . 0 0 $                                            32 , 6 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               CP A 6 T r e e  Re ‐pl a n t i n g  Pla n  (D e s i g n  Fe e s ) 1, 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                2,0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                    7 C e m e t e r y  Fl a g p o l e 3 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                4,0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                                     Y  (Installation) 8 P a r k  St r e e t  Im p r o v e m e n t s  (D e s i g n / E n g i n e e r i n g  Fe e s ) 2 5 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                            30 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 $                                               Ch a p t e r  90 Su b t o t a l ,  Pa r k  St r e e t  Ce m e t e r y 17 2 , 0 2 0 . 0 0 $                                        20 3 , 4 4 0 . 0 0 $                                           *B u d g e t  pr o j e c t i o n s  fo r  th e  Br i d g e  St r e e t  Ce m e t e r y  ar e  ba s e d  on  20 1 6  fig u r e s .    Fi g u r e s  fo r  al l  pr o j e c t s  sh o u l d  be  ad j u s t e d  ye a r l y  fo r  in f l a t i o n . Pa g e  1