Massachusetts Vision Plan: Cultural Resources Summary

There are numerous successful programs for preserving the historic and cultural resources of Massachusetts. Massachusetts offers a multitude of historic districts and historic state parks that inform people about the rich cultural heritage of the Commonwealth. The Urban Heritage State Park Program is one of the many cultural programs, which the Department of Environmental Management manages. There are 23 Historic State Parks in the Commonwealth. These parks attract 13 million visitors and generate $10 million annually. In addition to the parks maintained by the state, the National Park Service manages the Minuteman National Heritage Park, which attracts one million visitors annually. Massachusetts has a Historic Preservation Program dedicated to encouraging the public to become involved in preserving the historical and archeological assets of local communities. The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) is a state agency created under the leadership of the federal government to protect historic sites. Communities in Massachusetts form Local Historic Commissions (LHC). All LHCs work with the MHC to protect and preserve the rich historic and cultural heritage and to expand the preservation programs of the Commonwealth. There are over 2,000 historic properties listed in the Inventory of Historic Assets, from the birthplace of basketball to the oldest warship in the world. There are three scenic roads in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that enrich the landscape with the historic undertones of the past: Route 2, Route 47 and Route 6. These routes and byways were designated by the DEM and cover 156 miles.

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