Since the Springfield Preservation Trust’s founding in 1972, we have not only advocated for
historic preservation, but have also been active participants in the restoration of twelve (12)
vacant, deteriorating historic properties in Springfield.
In 1979, the Springfield Preservation Trust started a housing rehab program, assisted with
Community Development Block Grant funding. There were 35 vacant, deteriorated, boarded up
houses in the McKnight Historic District at the time. We purchased a vacant, deteriorated house
on Westminster Street. After renovation, the house was sold to owner-occupants. Proceeds
from that sale were then used in a revolving fund to do the next one—and so our process
continued.
All in all, we saw the rehabilitation of 12 vacant properties through the program. Some were
rehabilitated soup to nuts; others underwent major work and then sold to new owners to
complete, three were even moved (two by SPT, one by an owner-occupant) to save them from
being demolished for parking lots. Most of the properties we worked on were in McKnight; one
in Old Hill, and one on Maple Street.
The Trust is currently restoring 7-9 Stockbridge Street, the third oldest building in downtown
Springfield, and only one of two commercial brick buildings of that era in downtown Springfield.
Since the Springfield Preservation Trust’s founding in 1972, we have not only advocated for historic preservation, but have also been active participants in the restoration of twelve (12) vacant, deteriorating historic properties in Springfield.
In 1979, the Springfield Preservation Trust started a housing rehab program, assisted with Community Development Block Grant funding. There were 35 vacant, deteriorated, boarded up houses in the McKnight Historic District at the time. We purchased a vacant, deteriorated house
on Westminster Street. After renovation, the house was sold to owner-occupants. Proceeds from that sale were then used in a revolving fund to do the next one—and so our process continued.
All in all, we saw the rehabilitation of 12 vacant properties through the program. Some were rehabilitated soup to nuts; others underwent major work and then sold to new owners to complete, three were even moved (two by SPT, one by an owner-occupant) to save them from
being demolished for parking lots. Most of the properties we worked on were in McKnight; one in Old Hill, and one on Maple Street.
The Trust is currently restoring 7-9 Stockbridge Street, the third oldest building in downtown Springfield, and only one of two commercial brick buildings of that era in downtown Springfield.
