Amherst Historical Commission offers aid to help preserve barns

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Homeowners with barns or outbuildings that are 75 years (1950) or older may be eligible to receive up to $500 for an assessment on preserving the building.

The Town of Amherst Historical Commission is offering assistance for property owners through its Barn Preservation Program. It is designed to help protect the iconic and historically valuable barns that have been an integral part of the Town’s rural landscape for generations, for example, the Jonathan Dickinson Barn on Shays Street.

Funding is available to identify resources for repair, restoration, and reuse, while also providing funding to facilitate historical assessments that include barns, garages, carriage houses, and other non-residential outbuildings.

“Barns represent the history of many people who were instrumental in making Amherst the community it is today,” said Jan Marquardt, former chair of the Historical Commission. “As farming techniques evolve and many traditional barns give way to modern development, these structures are quickly becoming cherished historical landmarks. Recently, some barns were falling into such disrepair that the Historical Commission had no choice but to allow them to be razed, officially called demolition by neglect.” 

An assessment will examine the building's structural integrity, offer estimates for needed repairs, and provide valuable insights into the materials used in its construction, as well as the functions and historical significance of the barns over the years. The program will cover historical assessments 50 percent of the cost, up to $500.

For additional information and a list of contractors who perform historic assessments, visit amherstma.gov. Property owners interested in the program can apply online or contact Planner Walker Powell by emailing powellw@amherstma.gov.