Historic Boston Incorporated

CONTACT:

3 School Street
Boston, MA 02108
617-227-4679
www.historicboston.org

Wm. Eric Breitkreutz, executive director

DESCRIPTION:

Historic Boston is an example of philanthropic intelligence and creativity—created in 1960 by a few enlightened and public-spirited citizens to protect and restore the city’s architectural treasures, in ways that: preserve their heritage while enabling them to function in the modern world; catalyze economic renewal in disadvantaged neighborhoods; and contribute to the city’s tax rolls. HBI does this by acquiring and developing property, making grants, providing technical assistance, lending money, and seeking new funding sources. Its first venture, the Old Corner Bookstore buildings at Downtown Crossing, not only saved the property from demolition for a parking garage, but also turned it into an income producer that finances other rescue projects. At the core of Historic Boston’s activities are thoroughly researched planning efforts; they begin with an assessment of community needs, explore the appropriate tools of preservation, and then publish casebooks (available on their website) that focus attention on properties urgently needing rescue. HBI has had many successes—its Steeples Project for example has awarded $1.2 million in grants to 45 architecturally distinguished places of worship, enabling congregations to engage much-needed restoration expertise, and leveraging over $10 million in additional restoration funds. This is practical philanthropy at its very best, and you can share in its excellence.

(2004: CULTURE: Education: Informal: Historic Preservation)