Historic Preservation Commission

Meetings

  • 5 pm
  • 3rd Wednesday of every month

See the 2023 Meeting Schedule (PDF).

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Members

  • Jonathan Schechtman, Chair
    Term Expires: February 10, 2023
  • Patricia Stark, Vice Chair
    Term Expires: March 7, 2025
  • Susanne Walker Abetti
    Term Expires: March 21, 2025
  • Vacant Seat
  • Rocket, Selectboard Liaison

If you wish to correspond with Members by mail please address to:
171 Bridge Street
White River Junction, VT 05001

To leave a message please call 802-295-3075.

The Historic Preservation Commission consists of five members, each of whom serves a three-year term. Commissioners are chosen for their interest, knowledge, or professional skills in the areas of history, architecture, archeology, historic preservation. American studies, architectural history, anthropology, planning, or related subjects.

Overview

Historic Preservation Commission was formed in February 1993. Its charge is to:

  • Create and maintain a system for the survey and inventory of historic properties within Hartford;
  • Review nominations of properties that are under construction for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places;
  • Seek and prepare applications for funding for preservation activities;
  • Advise and assist individuals, Boards, and Commissions on matters relating to the preservation of historic resources; and
  • Perform additional responsibilities as required

Certified Local Government

The Town of Hartford is one of sixteen Certified Local Governments (CLG) designated by the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation. As a CLG, Hartford is eligible for assistance and funding through the Division.

The following is a list of CLG grants that Hartford has received since 2010.

  • 2010 Terraces Historic District Nomination
  • 2011 Agricultural Oral History Project
  • 2012 Historic Structures and Sites Survey - Phase I
  • 2013 Business Oral History Project
  • 2014 Historic Structures and Sites Survey - Phase II
  • 2015 Advent Christian Camp Historic District Nomination
  • 2016 Update and Expansion of the White River Junction Historic District
  • 2017 Historic Preservation Education and Outreach Project
  • 2018 Cemetery Research and Oral History Project
  • 2021 Taft's Flat Intensive Level Survey
  • 2020 Demolition Ordinance

White River Junction Historic District Update

The Town of Hartford received a Certified Local Government grant from the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation to prepare an update to the White River Junction Historic District. Brian Knight was hired by the Town to undertake the project. Currently, Hartford has nine historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

See the White River Junction Historic District National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (PDF).

Explore the Historic Sites & Structures

This Historic Sites and Structures Survey (HSSS) was undertaken by the Town of Hartford and its Historic Preservation Commission as a Phase II following an earlier Phase I survey.

Phase I (PDF) of the HSSS was completed in 2013 and included surveys of structures constructed between the late 1700s into the 1920s.

Phase II (PDF) has picked up where Phase I left off surveyed structures constructed between the 1920s and 1960s.

Advent Camp Meeting Grounds Historic District

See the Advent Camp Meeting Grounds Historic District National Register of Historic Places Registration Form.

Tafts Flat Intensive Level Survey

With a CLG grant, the Town hired Architectural Historian Brian Knight to conduct an Intensive Level Survey of the early to mid-century residential neighborhoods of the Taft's Flat section of White River Junction.

See Final report (PDF).

See the December 8, 2021 Taft's Flat Meeting Presentation.

Historic District Brochures

Hillside Dairy Farming in Hartford

The focus of the Agricultural History Project was to capture the life of the farming communities that has spanned generations and been a critical chapter of Vermont's history.

In a town where two active dairy farms remain of the once dozens and dozens, and many barns have long since been removed, documenting these foundations of the Town's history is vitally important.

Enjoy the Hartford Agricultural Oral History Project 2012 Report (read)

See the individual interviews for each interviewee participating in the report. If you wish to review, simply click on the name of interest.

Written Transcripts

  • Nellie Bagley and Pat Bagley
  • David Brown - Transcript 1 and Transcript 2
  • Barbara (Luce) Bagley and Scott Luce
  • Gary Clay
  • Fred Davis and Betty Davis
  • John Eastman, David Eastman, Harold Eastman, Cindy Morris
  • Pat Goodrick and Wanda Welch
  • Carol Luce Hardy
  • Harris Lyman and Mary Lyman
  • George Miller and Linda Miller
  • Marty Lyman
  • Larry Potwin
  • Doug Punt
  • Mary Rogers
  • Peter Schaal
  • Chuck Wooster
  • Harold Wright