Celebrating National Historic Preservation Month

May 29, 2025

May is National Historic Preservation Month, a time to celebrate the importance of preserving the places that shape our communities and reflect our shared history. On Cape Cod, historic preservation plays a vital role in protecting the character and charm that define the region.

From centuries-old buildings and iconic village centers to cultural landscapes and archaeological sites, Cape Cod’s historic resources are essential to its identity. More than 14,000 historic structures are inventoried on Cape Cod, with thousands of local structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places or located within one of the Cape’s 22 local and regional historic districts.

The Cape Cod Commission is committed to protecting these valuable assets through a variety of initiatives, including technical assistance to towns, regulatory review of significant developments, and educational programming that promotes awareness and stewardship of historic places.

Sarah Korjeff, the Commission’s Historic Preservation Specialist, and other planning staff evaluate the architectural and historical significance of properties, advise town boards and local historic organizations on project reviews, assist in developing bylaws, historic districts, and design guidelines, and deliver presentations and workshops on Cape Cod’s architectural heritage. These activities are designed not only to support local decision-makers but also to foster a deeper public appreciation of Cape Cod’s historic landscape.

Commission staff provides advisory opinions and works in partnership with local boards to determine when Cape Cod Commission review is necessary, ensuring a coordinated approach to preservation. Preservation couldn’t happen in our region without continued town efforts to improve historic inventories and the work of dedicated volunteers who serve on local historic boards.

Through its regulatory review of Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs), the Commission ensures that historic resources are protected even as the region grows. The Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan includes clear standards for the preservation of historic buildings, landscapes, and archaeological sitesthat have led to the successful reuse, rehabilitation, and context-sensitive development of properties across the region, especially those listed on the National Register.

In 2023, The Cape Cod Commission developed flood area design guidelines for Cape Cod that outline strategies for reducing or eliminating hazards from sea level rise and storm surge while protecting the region’s distinct character and historic resources.

One of the Commission’s most recent efforts is the launch of the Elevating Under-Represented Histories StoryMap, an engaging, interactive resource designed to tell lesser-known stories of Cape Cod’s past. This project is part of a broader initiative to expand the narratives represented in historic preservation and highlight the contributions of communities that have traditionally been left out of the historical record.