National Historic Landmarks: Revere Beach
For Immediate Release
WHAT DOES NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS MEAN FOR REVERE
BEACH?
By
Christian Scorzoni & Christina Prochilo
The Revere Beach Partnership
RevereBeachPartnership.org
What do Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, the USS Constitution,
the Boston Public Gardens, and Revere Beach all have in common?
They are National Historic Landmarks.
Next week, Revere Beach will be added to this exclusive list
of buildings, monuments, and sites that fully depict our nation's
history. The National Historic Landmark Program, administered
by the National Park Service, recognizes Revere Beach as the
country's first public ocean beach, but also for its significant
contributions in architecture, planning, and landscape design
at the turn of the twentieth century.
True, not everything built on the beach remains -- in fact
some would argue that some structures were never meant to
last -- but the design is intact and the beach is still used
by people who come from far and wide. It is loved for its
designed landscape, its public access, and its historical
significance is undenied.
Revere Beach was one of the primary links in the country's
first regional landscape plan, the Boston Metropolitan Park
System. Designed by Charles Eliot, one of America's prominent
landscape architects, the plan included reclaiming land from
private development, relocating the Boston, Revere Beach &
Lynn Railroad, and creating the boulevard, promenade, and
related structures along the crescent shaped beach. The beach's
design remains intact today, as do the pavilions, promenade,
and band stand that speak to its era.
National Historic Landmark designation is an official recognition
by the federal government of a historic property's national
significance. The National Park Service nominates new landmarks
and provides assistance to them through its National Historic
Landmarks Program.
Designating a property as a National Historic Landmark does
not prohibit under federal law or regulations any actions,
which may otherwise be taken by the property owner with respect
to the property. Additionally, while the National Park Service
monitors the status of landmarks, may contact owners to discuss
preservation needs, and encourages owners to use the Secretary
of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation Projects
on site, owners are not formally required to follow this guidance.
Lastly, landmark designation implies no commitment on the
part of the federal government to acquire the property.
Through its designation as a National Historic Landmark,
Revere Beach is now eligible to receive free technical preservation
advice for planning and preservation. If desired, the beach
may compete to receive in-depth site inspections funded and
coordinated by the National Park Service to analyze the condition
of the site, identify and prioritize recommended work, and
estimate the costs for carrying out the work. Additionally,
the beach is now eligible for large money grants including
Save America's Treasures. Designation as a National Historic
Landmark is primarily a tool to encourage the preservation
and recognition of our national heritage. The NHL program
is not a stumbling block in the way of progress; rather it
is a reminder that the preservation and re-use of character
defining properties in our communities is part of progress.
In times of rampant budget cuts locally, statewide, and nationally,
the National Historic Landmark designation of Revere Beach
is not an easy solution; it is a planning tool for the beach's
future. This designation helps codify the pride that the people
of Revere are blessed to have in this extraordinary resource.
It will be an additional honor, as well as a public service
should the designation help in securing grants to aid in the
Department of Conservation's ability to be good stewards.
After all, as a public beach it is no one person's obligation
to care for it and take part in its revitalization -- it is
the obligation of every one of us.
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