Canal Historic Documentation Exepdited Request
Northampton Community Preservation Committee
June 30, 20 21
The Northampton Office of Planning and Sustainability requests Expedited funding review consideration for
historic documentation of the Hampshire-Hampden portions of the New Haven and Northampton Canal.
The purpose of this project is to facilitate regional collaboration to document the existing conditions and
historical significance of the Hampshire and Hampden portion of the New Haven and Northampton
Canal. Participating municipalities are: Southwick, Westfield, Russell, Southampton, Easthampton, and
Northampton. There have been many incredible past efforts to document the Massachusetts portion of the
Canal but this project is different as it meets the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) requirement
for participation by each canal municipality and the municipalities have worked together throughout the past
year to produce a joint Request for Quotes.
Throughout 2020, District Local Technical Assistance funds have provided these municipalities support by
the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) to help plan and coordinate this collaborative effort. This
included consulting with MHC regarding the preparation of a formal project scope. The draft RFPQ for a
qualified consultant to develop a formal reconnaissance survey and complete mapping of the entire length of
the Canal within Massachusetts, as well as to prepare targeted AREA and ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
forms and request a determination of eligibity for the National Register of Historic Places is currently under
review at the MHC. The Connecticut portion of the Canal (known as the Farmington Canal) has been listed
on the National Register of Historic Places since the 1980s.
The Hampshire and Hampden Canal Company was chartered in Massachusetts in 1823, and the canal was
constructed between 1826 to 1834. In 1836, it was reorganized as part of the New Haven and Northampton
Canal Company and operated until its closure in 1845 when it was replaced by the railroad. The Hampshire and
Hampden Canal is significant as it relates to early to mid-19th century engineering, transportation, commerce,
agriculture, and industry. There is currently no formal documentation within the Massachusetts Cultural
Resource Information System of the entire path of the Hampshire and Hampden Canal and there is minimal
documentation of related resources. Without additional work done to preserve these areas now, its memory,
history, and the physical remains itself, are all in danger of being lost. The northern terminus of the Canal is
located at the Connecticut River just east of the community boathouse on Damon Road. From there it
traveled south roughly along the path of today’s Route 5, crossing into Easthampton near Lovefield Street.
The Northampton Historical Commission has determined the Canal to be significant to local and regional
history.
When is a CPC commitment needed and why?
When is disbursement needed and why?
With regional cooperation and PVPC involvement, momentum has gained quickly, and other
communities are in the process of obtaining funds for their allotments of the total cost - $90,000 divided
equally among the six municipalities. The RFQ release is planned for early fall, at which point all funding
must be in-hand. This timing will capitalize on excitement about the project, which has stalled several
times over the past several decades and has already overcome several hurdles that had proved to be
roadblocks in the past. A consultant will be engaged immediately.
What is the impact on the project of the deadlines for CPC commitment and disbursement not being
met?
Why is the project important to community preservation in Northampton?
What are the potential negative impacts to community preservation in Northampton of not
reviewing this project on an expedited basis?
If Northampton funding is not secured, the RFQ release will not be able to happen. The Canal was
important not only to transportation, trade, and industry in Northampton, it was critical in the development
of the region, and informed the future path of the railroad and interstate. As noted in the CPA Plan, “When
lost through destruction or neglect, irreplaceable ties to the past are obliterated forever.” Both the physical
remnants of the Canal and related resources, and the knowledge of its pathway and history are disappearing,
and all communities involved are excited to move the project forward, and increase knowledge of this
important resource.
Thank you for your consideration, we look forward to presenting additional information in a full application.
Wayne Feiden