Frequently Asked Questions:

• Is my house historic?
Your house is historic if it was built over 50 years ago.

• How old is my house? Will you give me the history?
We are always happy to help our members with questions about the age or history of their house. If a house has been owned by WHALE or is one that we have researched, a great deal of information will be available. If the house is one we are not familiar with, we’ll be glad to quickly check data bases and report back to you. It is also possible to commission WHALE to research a house or commercial buildings.

• How can I get a plaque for my house? 
The New Bedford Preservation Society conducts New Bedford’s historic marker program. Their web site is http://www.geocities.com/nbps2000. They can be called at (508) 997-6425 or emailed at nps2000@yahoo.com. There is a charge of $343 for the marker and a $50 non-refundable application fee. The charge, however, includes the cost of researching the house and making the marker.

The Fairhaven Historical Commission administers a plaque program for the Town. Their application is available on-line at the Millicent Library web site www.millicentlibrary.org Click on the Archives Page or call Ms. Deborah Charpentier, the Library’s Archivist at (508) 992-5342.

• Where can I find funding to help me restore my historic property?
Funding restoration projects is one of the most difficult challenges facing preservationists. Most grants are intended for nonprofit organizations and municipalities. There are state and federal tax credits available for restoration of income-producing historic properties. Click HERE to learn more about tax credits.

• Does WHALE have funds to help me restore my historic property?
WHALE does not have funds at this time to give grants or loans for restoration of historic properties.

• WHat is the difference between a National Register Historic District and a Local Historic District?
National Register Historic Districts are purely honorary designations recognizing the historical and cultural significance of an area or district. Properties within these districts have no restrictions on what can be done to their property, including demolition. Local Historic Districts like the one located in New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park are 40c districts and are governed by state law and the local historic commission. In these districts, changes to the exterior of all buildings must be approved by the historical commission. The Commission is legally charged with protecting the historic and architectural integrity of the buildings within its districts.

• Is my house is in a historic district? If it is, is someone going to stop me from painting it the color I want, putting vinyl siding on it or making any other changes to it?
The best way to determine if your house is located in a historic district is to contact WHALE or your local city or town historical commission. If your house is in a National Register Historic District there are no restrictions on what can be done o your property. If your house is located in a 40C Local Historic District then it is governed by state law and the local historical commission and all exterior changes to your building including signage and lighting have to be approved by the historical commission.

Although New Bedford has 13 National Register Historic Districts, there is only one area of the City that is a LOCAL Chapter 40 C historic district – the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park(NBWNHP). If you own a building in NBWNHP before making any changes to the exterior of the building, it is necessary to receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the New Bedford Historical Commission.  The Commission is legally charged with protecting the historic and architectural integrity of the buildings in the fourteen blocks of the National Park for us and our children. For more information visit the New Bedford Historical Commission website at http://www.ci.new-bedford.ma.us/NBHC.htm  or call Derek Santos, the Secretary of the Commission and Historical Architect for the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park at (508) 996-4095, extension 11.

• What are the National Register of Historic Places and the State Register of Historic Places?
The National Register is the official national list of historic properties in America worthy of preservation and is maintained by the National Park Service in the U.S. Department of the Interior. The State Register is Massachusetts' official listing of state properties determined to be significant to Massachusetts' heritage and is maintained by Massachusetts Historical Commission. Both listings include sites, buildings, structures, objects and districts that are significant in national, state or local history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture.

• Is my property listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
The most direct way to find out if your property is listed is to check the National Park Service's NATIONAL REGISTER INFORMATION SYSTEM. This online database is the most up-to-date record of properties listed on the National Register. Another resource is the State Historic Preservation Office which is the state entity responsible for nominating National Register properties to the National Park Service. They will also be able to provide you with a copy of the National Register Nomination form.

If you have an historic preservation question that is not covered here, please call us in the office at 508-997-1776 or send us an email at info@waterfrontleague.org.