Town of Lenox, Massachusetts

Town of Lenox Annual Town Report - 2008
historic buildings/towns. The program goal is to increase awareness of our historic
architectural heritage, to promote the town’s economy of cultural tourism, and to
encourage preservation by enhancing property values of historic homes. The
Commission will administer this program and will offer plaques at cost to owners of
historic buildings in Lenox to display date, historic name and possibly other information
if available, beginning in spring 2009.
Historic Property Surveys Photographs of most of Lenox’s historic properties
(250 buildings predating 1923) have been uploaded to the Massachusetts Historical
Commission website. Corrected information will be added as it is gathered and be available
in the Library as well as Town Hall and Historical Commission office.
Demolition Delay Bylaw The Commission completed a Demolition Delay
Bylaw in 2007 and expects to bring it before Town Meeting with a list of historic
buildings worth preserving. A Demolition Delay Bylaw delays demolition of an historically
important building while its preservation or removal can be considered.
Town Cemetery Restoration A preliminary application for Massachusetts
Preservation Project funding to survey the restoration needs of the Town Cemetery at
the Church on the Hill was turned down. Gundula Brattke is compiling photographs
of headstones and information in a booklet to raise awareness of this important Lenox
historical resource and move towards its preservation.
Lenox Walking Tour Brochure Ellie Geller worked with the Historical
Society and the Chamber of Commerce to create a walking tour brochure of the
Historic District. The Commission hopes to create synergies between the walking
tour and the historic date plaque program.
Mission and Meetings The Commission’s goal is to preserve and protect the
historic assets of Lenox, to educate residents about their historical heritage, to
encourage and promote architectural preservation and adaptive reuse of historic properties,
and to assist those wanting to place their historic buildings on the National
Register of Historic Places. Our office is located on the second floor of the Lenox
Academy. Meetings are held on the second Monday of every month at 4 p.m. In cold
months the meetings are held in the Land Use Room at Town Hall. Meetings are posted
on the town web site along with agendas and minutes. All are welcome to attend.
Respectfully submitted,
James Jurney, Jr., Chair
Suzanne W. Pelton, Secretary
Gundula Brattke
Ellie Geller
Sharon Hughes
Olga Weiss
62