The Local News recently published an article regarding the Ipswich Mills Dam and its eligibility status for the National Register of Historic Places.
But what does that even mean?
The National Register of Historic Places (Register, for short) is an official list maintained by the National Park Service (NPS), keeping track of “districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects” of historic significance. The Register came about after the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) was passed in 1966. If you’ve heard the term “Section 106” thrown around, that is referring to Section 106 of the NHPA. Section 106 is the process that makes sure that any project being paid for with federal money takes historic preservation into account. Because the Ipswich Mills Dam removal project is partially funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NOAA is responsible for leading the Section 106 process and making sure historic preservation is considered during the Ipswich Mills Dam removal project.
Research into the history and archaeology of the Ipswich Mills Dam began in 2014, when the project was just in the feasibility study phase. Then, as part of an investigation during the MEPA process in 2023,a reconnaissance-level archaeological and historic properties survey was completed. (“reconnaissance-level” is the first level of surveying. The next level of survey is an “intensive-level.”) This basic survey is how the Massachusetts Historic Commission (MHC) arrived at the conclusion that the dam itself is eligible for the National Register.
This is all to say that the Section 106 process, which is the process we use to determine historic significance, is already a part of the Ipswich Mills Dam removal project.The letter from the MHC that is referred to in The Local News piece is one of the beginning steps of the Section 106 process. Section 106 is an important, yet complicated process.
I would encourage anyone interested in the Section 106 Process to check out this resource provided by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation:
https://www.achp.gov/protecting-historic-properties/section-106-process/initiating-section-106
The Section 106 process has always been a part of the plan. It’s important to note that the Ipswich Mill Dam’s eligibility to be considered for the Register does not change the scope of the process:
“During a Section 106 review, the federal agency evaluates properties against the National Register criteria and seeks the consensus of the SHPO/THPO/tribe regarding eligibility. A historic property need not be formally listed in the National Register in order to be considered under the Section 106 process. Simply coming to a consensus determination that a property is eligible for listing is adequate to move forward with Section 106 review.” – AHCP Citizen’s Guide to Section 106 Review.
In short, the historical significance of the Ipswich Mills Dam has always been a priority of the dam removal project. The Section 106 process ensures that the proper steps are taken to memorialize the dam and its local importance.