Grand Opening of the Niagara Fire House Museum:
140-year-old Millis firehouse reopened as community center
ARTICLE XVI. HISTORICAL PROPERTIES
The Millis Historical Commission shall file with the Board of Selectmen and the Building Inspector, annually, a current list of all the known Millis historical properties (the term shall include bridges, structure and historical sites - i.e., King Philip Trees) and properties being studied and considered for such designation as historical properties. The Building Inspector shall notify the Historical Commission in writing immediately upon receipt of an application to demolish any property that is included on said list. The Board of Selectmen shall notify the Historical Commission of any projects which might result in the demolition or alteration of any property that is included on said list. Pursuant to Section 114.1 of the State Building Code, the Building Inspector shall wait thirty (30) days from the date of the application to issue a permit to demolish a building. (5/18/87)


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The Town of Millis is a suburban industrial town in the Charles River Valley, incorporated in 1885. First settled in 1658, the first mill was built in town in 1662 on Bogestow Pond. The town's early economy was based largely on agriculture and grazing. King Philip's war destroyed every building in town except the fortified stone house built for protection. There were taverns, grist and saw mills serving the farming population in town after 1710, and the community remained a prosperous agricultural town throughout the century. In the next century, the town's character changed with the two cotton mills established in 1805. One of these mills is reputed to have installed the first lace loom in America in 1818. Brickyards, organ and organ pipe factories, along with a paper mill and canning factory, in operation in 1837, joined the textile operations as significant town industries. In the twentieth century, however, all that showcased the town's early industrial heritage were Herman Shoes, Safe Pack Mills and the Clicquot Club ginger ale plant.
                 Millis Historical Commission
                                   and
                     Millis Historical Society
            Present a History of Millis Railroads



Local Historical Commissions

Duties and Responsibilities of the Millis Historical Commission as appointed by the Millis Board of Selectmen:

  • Conduct research to survey, document, and assess community historic resources
  • Maintain inventory of historic resources
  • Advise Boards and officials on matters pertaining to historic resources
  • Coordinate survey and inventory activities with MA Historical Commission and state archaeologist
  • Review proposals for Massachusetts Preservation Planning Fund grants
  • Coordinate preservation planning with town planning activities including Open Space, Master Plan and Municipal Planning
  • Promote community preservation and act as resource for community heritage and preservation education and develop and facilitate programs for same Established by a vote of the town or city government, a Local Historical Commission* (LHC) is the municipal agency responsible for ensuring that preservation concerns are considered in community planning and development decisions. Over 340 LHCs across Massachusetts are already established and working closely with the MHC. They serve as local preservation advocates and as an important resource for information about their community's cultural resources and preservation activities. Members of the commission are appointed by the Selectmen to serve as a volunteer to a term of three years
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Niagara Hall with outside restored
Next MHC meeting: December 5, 2019  at 7:00pm.
Location: Oak Grove Farm House, 410 Exchange St.
This meeting is open to the public to attend.

Contact information

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Millis Historical Commission
410 Exchange St.
Millis, Massachusetts 02054
508-376-3730 
email MHC

Nathan Maltinsky, Chairman
Mitch Bobonski
Dennis Anderson
Scott Fusey
Joanne Gannon
Jacqueline Graci 
Carolyn McNiff
Marc Prufer
Mark Slayton  
Charles Vecchi

Members of the Millis Historical Commission clean front windows around the hand painted murals in the Niagara upstairs meeting hall
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Peacock "Hand Tub" Rockville Hose Company number 2, built in 1887
2016 Millis Historical Commission All Rights Reserved