MATTAPOISETT — Preservation consultant Lynn Smiledge has been selected to complete the first phase of the Mattapoisett Historical Commission's community-wide survey.

The goal of the survey is to “update and expand documentation of the historic and cultural resources of the Town of Mattapoisett,” according to a press release from the commission. The last survey was completed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. “It is outdated and incomplete,” read the press release. 

According to the Mattapoisett Historical Commission, Smiledge “has extensive education and experience in preservation history and planning” with a strong base of knowledge in the history, architecture, and culture of southeastern Massachusetts.”

The information collected by Smiledge can serve as a basis for determining if a property is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, which is a formal recognition of the significance of a property in the nation's history, culture, architecture, or archeology. The results of the survey will benefit individual property owners who are interested in the history of their homes, as well as providing a tool for local boards to insure that historic resources are preserved. 

Phase one of the survey, which is a multi-year effort, is expected to be completed in June, 2024, according to the press release. It is being funded by matching grants from the Mattapoisett Community Preservation Committee and the Massachusetts Historical Commission.