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  • Commission Clerk Lisa Greene
    978-538-5777 Email
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Historical Commission

The Peabody Historical Commission works in cooperation with other municipal agencies to ensure that the goals of the historical preservation are considered in planning for future development of the community. The Commission also coordinates with other local groups whose interests involved history or historic preservation. The Commission also serves as the liaison between these groups on matters pertaining to historic preservation programs and is mandated to be the local municipal "watchdog" for the state and federal perseveration agencies, alerting them to local preservation issues.

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  • Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 6:00PM

  • All meetings will be held at the Smith Barn 38 Felton St. Peabody, MA 01960

  • Meeting Schedule

  • HOURS: Tuesday & Thursday: 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. and Saturday: 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
  • CONTACT: Director: Dick St. Pierre; Curator and Christine Jesoraldo at 978-278-5133

  • The City of Peabody is fortunate to have many historical treasures. There are two National Historic Districts.
  • The Civic Center District comprised of twenty-eight structures surrounding its centerpiece, the Peabody City Hall, which was built in 1883. The district also includes the Central Fire Station, one of the oldest active central firehouses in the country.
  • The Washington Street Historic District is a compendium of architectural styles ranging from the Gideon Foster House, (home of the Peabody Historical Society), in the Federalist style, through Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne eras. It also contains within it's borders the Lexington Monument memorializing those men who lost their lives on April 19, 1775 at the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
  • There are many more historic sites in our City, not the least of which are more than fifty historic cemeteries scattered throughout Peabody. These burial grounds provide us with a view into the cultural and social lives of those that came before us and helped to make Peabody the great City it has become today. The restoration and protection of these sites will continue to be of primary importance to the Historical Commission for years to come.
  • Commission Information

  • Chapter 40, Section 8D of M.G.L. identifies these responsibilities for all Historic Commissions established under this chapter.
  • Conducting research on places of historical or architectural value.
  • Cooperating with the State Archaeologist and conducting surveys and reporting on sites.
  • Coordinating with other preservation organizations.
  • Keeping accurate records of its actions and filing an annual report.
  • Maintaining a membership of not less than three or more than seven members, with two alternates, duly appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.
  • In accordance with the Peabody zoning by-laws the Historical Commission reviews all applications for demolition and permits. For further information, see the Demolition permit form, Attachment A.
  • Reviews applications or requests prior to being sent to the Commission Preservation Committee.

  • Is hired by the City of Peabody to record and maintain the minutes of the commission meetings. The Commission Clerk shall send correspondence as needed, including minutes of past meetings, Commission information, reports, press releases and articles.

  • Officers of the Historical Commission shall be a Chairman and Vice Chairman who shall be elected by a majority vote of the Commission. Officers shall be elected for a term of one year. Elections will be held at the Annual meeting in January of each year.
  • Chairman - The Chairman is the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission and shall, subject to the direction of the Commission, have general supervision and control of its business. Unless otherwise provided by the Commission, he or she shall preside, when present, over all meeting of the Historical Commission Board business. The Chairman shall serve no more than five consecutive years.
  • Vice Chairman - The Vice Chairman shall have such duties and powers as the Commission members may, from time to time, designate and in the absence of the Chairman preside over meetings of the Commission. Should the office of the Chairman be vacant through death, resignation or disability, the Vice Chairman shall assume the duties of the Chairman for the unexpired term.
  • All Peabody Historical Commission members, both permanent and alternate members may serve as Chairman or Vice Chairman.

  • The terms of office of all permanent members shall be for a period of three years and so arranged that the terms of approximately one-third of the members will expire each year. The terms of office of all alternate members shall be for a period of one year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
  • The Alternate members shall only be entitled to vote on matters before the Commission which they have been present for and only if there are less than seven permanent members present at the meeting.