About Weston's History

townseal

Weston's Historical Commission was created by Town Meeting vote in 1968 to serve as the town’s official body for administering the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Not to be confused with the Weston Historical Society, a private, non-profit organization, the Commission is the only Town of Weston authority charged with town-wide preservation responsibilities.

The web pages listed below are filled with information about Weston's architectural, farming, economic, estate, and suburban history. Learn about the rich history of many of Weston's neighborhoods, homes, and areas, as well as how to preserve your own historical assets in your home.

To Preserve and Protect

In addition to the Commission's responsibilities at the Town Government level, the volunteers who serve also:

  • provide educational opportunities to understand the history of the town and the historic context of important preservation resources
  • Administers the Historic Marker Program, which recognizes Weston’s pre-1945 architectural heritage
  • Monitors preservation restrictions on local structures
  • Provides homeowners and town agencies with historical and technical advice on appropriate restoration procedures

Historical Oversight

Presently, Weston’s inventory of Historic Resources, shown on the Historic Resources / GIS Map (PDF), includes one Local Historic District (Crescent Street), 10 National Register Districts, and 26 Historic Areas. Seven properties are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Refer to the Weston Cultural Resources Inventory for a full list.

The Historical Commission sponsored a comprehensive survey of the town’s historical assets in 1993-94, jointly funded by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. The Commission has sponsored lectures about Weston history and architecture, some of which are available in video form at the Weston Public Library. 

Detailed information on the work of the Commission can be found in its annual report to the town.