The Town of Bennington's Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will lead a historic walking tour of Pleasant Street from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19th. The street is a remarkable preserved history of Bennington's industrial past along the Walloomsac River, with the homes of three Norton Potters owners and the sites of the former Norton Potters and Valentine mills, and the Valentine and Olin Scott homes. Michael McDonough, Chair of the HPC, invites "community members to learn more about the fascinating history and architecture of Pleasant Street in this important Bennington neighborhood of residences and industry while also enjoying the Better Bennington Corporation's Downtown Harvest Fest."
Thomas Scheetz, MAUHS 2024 graduate and salutatorian, researched the history of Pleasant Street as part of his summer project for SPARK (Sparking Public Service the Summer Before Harvard) through Harvard University. Thomas's research has helped to inform the contents of the walking tour. The Historic Preservation Commission is also using his research to work towards a Pleasant Street nomination for the National Register of Historic Places.
The Historic Preservation Commission members are collaborating on the tour with local housing developer Jon Hale of Hale Resources LLC. Hale Resources has renovated a number of historic properties on Pleasant Street to create new housing units and is working on a large-scale redevelopment of the Benn High (Ben Hi) building at the end of Pleasant Street. The tour will begin at 1 p.m. meeting at Thatcher House, 212 Pleasant Street, and will include a look inside some of the historic homes in various stages of renovation.
The Historic Preservation Commission's main role is planning and advocating for the protection and appreciation of Bennington's historic and architecturally significant resources. Primary tasks of the HPC involve reviewing applications for signage and facade changes within the Downtown Historic District. They also provide technical assistance, education and guidance as needed in planning and preserving all historic resources within Bennington. The HPC serves as an advisory commission to the Development Review Board, Planning Commission and Select Board.
For more information, visit: https://benningtonvt.org/government/boards___commissions/historic_preservation_commission_(hpc)/
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