Caring for Our Historic Sites

Property Care is responsible for the preservation and maintenance of and capital improvements to all the real estate owned by Historic New England. As keepers of the organization’s Preservation Philosophy, our work is vital to ensuring the integrity and authenticity of our historic properties. Our work ranges from mowing lawns and restoring gardens to maintaining heating systems and restoring historic paint finishes. Currently, our Property Care team is exploring options for improving accessibility at our historic sites. The team is also on the leading edge of preservation philosophy and climate change.

Our Property Care team is nationally recognized for establishing preservation best practices and prioritizing knowledge-sharing. To assist other stewards of historic properties with complicated preservation project planning and decision-making, we provide free online access to our library of preservation white papers. Recent publications include guidance on climate change, environmental conditions, security, and energy efficiency, with case studies on accessibility soon to be published.

Historic New England’s carpentry crew made minimal alterations to historic door jambs at Pierce House in Dorchester, Massachusetts that enable wheelchair access throughout the site’s first floor.
Historic New England’s carpentry crew made minimal alterations to historic door jambs at Pierce House in Dorchester, Massachusetts that enable wheelchair access throughout the site’s first floor.
Different sites present different challenges for maintenance and preservation. Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, has no less than six chimneys — each one a completely different style!
Different sites present different challenges for maintenance and preservation. Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, has no less than six chimneys — each one a completely different style!
Historic New England’s meticulous care of our museums extends to their historic landscape features. This steel strapping was expertly stretched and spiralized to become a helical rose trellis at Rundlet-May House in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Historic New England’s meticulous care of our museums extends to their historic landscape features. This steel strapping was expertly stretched and spiralized to become a helical rose trellis at Rundlet-May House in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Highlighted Projects

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New Hampshire

Massachusetts

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Connecticut

Past Highlights

Massachusetts

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Related Blog Posts

May 27, 2026

Weathering Change at Sayward-Wheeler House

May 6, 2026

Reading the Layers: Historic Paint Analysis and the Science of Preservation

May 1, 2026

“We’re Not Just Preserving Buildings, We’re Preparing Them for the Future”: Ben Haavik on Preservation, Climate Resilience, and Accessibility

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Related Magazine Articles

Historic New England – Summer 2019

Dedicated Maintenance Fund

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Donate to Property Care Projects + Initiatives

Historic New England preserves thirty-eight homes spanning more than three centuries, all filled with a unique history of people, stories, and archival materials. To better care for the unique features each site offers, consider donating to a particular site or an engaging fund.

If you’d like to make a donation to a designated fund, property, or project, please email Development@HistoricNewEngland.org or call (617) 994-5951.

Preservation Maintenance Fund