Does a blue-oval historic marker indicate that a property is regulated by the Historical Commission?
No. Properties that are marked with blue-oval historic markers are not necessarily protected by any design review or other regulation by the Historical Commission. The marker program was started in 1976, and today there are nearly one hundred of these “blue ovals” scattered throughout the city, marking sites of historical importance. The sites were chosen, not for the architectural significance of the existing structures, but for the sites’ relationship to important events or persons. The presence of a blue oval historic marker does not mean that the structure on the site is a designated property with regulatory protection from inappropriate changes. For a list of properties that are regulated by the Cambridge Historical Commission or one of the neighborhood conservation district commissions, check the Designated Property List. You might also be interested in reading the list of local landmarks, which can be found at the end of the page that describes the landmark designation process i
Related Questions
- What is the difference between the Arlington Historical Commission, the Historic Districts Commission, and the Arlington Historical Society?
- How do I know if the Commission holds a Historic Preservation Covenant, Easement or Preservation Interest on my property?
- Does a blue-oval historic marker indicate that a property is regulated by the Historical Commission?
