July 23, 2026
Travis Voyles
Vice and Acting Chair
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
401 F Street, NW, Room 308
Washington, DC 20001
Dear Vice-Chairman Voyles,
Historic Salem, Inc. (HSI), founded in 1944 to save iconic historic properties in Salem, Massachusetts, has been an engaged and consistent leader for preservation in our now 400-year-old community. Our collaborations in our historic city have saved numerous properties from demolition or drastic alteration. As a result, Salem has had enduring and respected outcomes when development has been proposed.
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is a keystone of our country’s preservation advocacy, and HSI has been proud to be a stakeholder in Section 106 reviews in Salem. This important consultation process has achieved not only the preservation of iconic properties here but has also aligned development to enhance our sense of place.
Importantly, preservation has established Salem as a destination for “historic” tourism, helping our city welcome millions of visitors each year. Tourism contributes significantly to our local economy and supports our thriving retail sector as well as our restaurants and hotels.
Historic Salem, Inc. strenuously opposes the proposed revision to the regulations implementing Section 106 and the process that has led to this requested vote. The needless rush to vote on August 3rd on a set of draft regulations that would dramatically diminish the effectiveness of Section 106 and the current legal protections for historic and cultural places, some of which are a rich architectural element of Salem, is unprecedented and unnecessary. Consultations under Section 106 have achieved remarkable success and better outcomes in Salem through thoughtful and informed participation.
We join our colleagues at the National Trust for Historic Preservation in opposing these changes and the rushed process that is planned.
Sincerely,
Richard Lindeman
President
