Historical Information & Resources

The Awards are presented annually to local projects for a broad range of preservation activities, including stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, and adaptive reuse of historic structures. Also recognized are sensitive additions and modernization; preservation of historic streetscapes; landscape preservation; and archaeology. The Awards are sponsored jointly by the Town of Chatham Historic Commission, Historic Business District Commission, and the Chatham Historical Society.

Chatham boasts some of the best preserved historic homes and buildings, culminating in the 2007 Distinctive Destinations Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. There are two National Register Historic Districts: The Old Village NRHD and South Chatham NRHD, as well as numerous individual sites and buildings, both public and private, throughout the town. Click on the link to download a list of local National Register sites.

The Chatham Historic House Sign program encourages and assists owners of buildings at least one hundred years old to acquire a unique sign that in three lines summarizes the history of their building. Only Chatham buildings 100 years old and older are approved by the Historical Commission as eligible for an official Historic House sign.

The Chatham Historical Commission is charged with protecting and preserving Chatham's historic character. Its mandates include promoting preservation of Chatham's historic resources and educating the public about the importance of these resources to Chatham's unique sense of place. It also maintains an inventory of historic properties through the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

The Chatham Historic Business District Commission (HBDC) is the town regulatory body with the purpose of promoting appropriate development within the district, which encompasses the Main St. downtown business area.