Protect Monument Square: Preserve Charlestown’s Historic Heart

Monument Square is the historic and cultural heart of Charlestown. Its 19th-century rowhouses and streets were built to fund the completion of the Bunker Hill Monument, transforming Charlestown from a village into a thriving urban neighborhood. It has been a gathering place for the community for over 200 years, a symbol of civic pride, and home to generations of Charlestown residents, including six mayors. Today, it is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting its significance to Charlestown, Massachusetts, and the United States.

Yet despite this recognition, Monument Square remains vulnerable to demolition and inappropriate development.

Current Protections Aren’t Enough

Today, Monument Square is subject to several layers of oversight:

• National Register Listing: an honorary designation that does not prevent demolition
• Neighborhood Design Overlay (NDOD): provides design guidance for rooflines, windows, and building alterations, but cannot stop owners from tearing down buildings or stripping the facades of historic detail.
• Article 85 Demolition Delay: only 90 days; after that, an owner can demolish a building, even if it is historically significant

The reality is stark: nearly all of Charlestown’s historic buildings could be demolished tomorrow. Without stronger protections, Monument Square’s historic streetscape, and the stories it tells, are at risk.

Why a Local Landmark District Matters

Local designation is the only tool that can truly protect our historic resources. A Landmark District allows the Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) to:

• Deny demolition of significant buildings
• Ensure that new construction respects the scale, massing, and character of the historic district
• Maintain the architectural and cultural integrity of the Square for generations to come
  

It is important to note what this designation will not do:

• It will not prevent modern energy-efficient upgrades or solar panels
• It will preserve the neighborhood’s character while allowing residents to live and work in the Square comfortably

Charlestown deserves protections that are tailored to its history and identity, not a one-size-fits-all approach modeled on other Boston neighborhoods.

The Path Forward: Petition and Study Committee

Thanks to the efforts of Monument Square residents, organized by CPS, a petition was submitted to the Boston Landmarks Commission. The BLC accepted the petition, creating a Pending Monument Square Landmark District.

A Study Committee, made up of local Charlestown residents and BLC commissioners, is now actively meeting to:

• Define the district boundaries
• Establish the standards and criteria that will guide future development and alterations

Once the Study Committee finalizes its recommendations, the district will go through a formal public process:

• BLC votes on designation
• City Council votes
• Mayor signs to finalize the Landmark District

Throughout this process, the community has the opportunity to provide input and shape the future of Monument Square.

Why This Matters

Monument Square is not just a collection of old buildings, it is the story of Charlestown. Its streets, homes, and public spaces connect us to the people and events that shaped our neighborhood, our city, and our nation. Historic preservation allows us to carry these stories forward, giving future generations the chance to experience Charlestown as we know it today.

With a Landmark District, Monument Square can be protected intentionally, not by chance. Residents have already identified what is historic through the PLAN: Charlestown process. Now we have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to preserve it.

Stay connected and support the Monument Square Landmark District today. Safeguard Charlestown’s heart, history, and character for generations to come.

Get updates about the Charlestown Monument Square Pending Landmark District meetings and more: https://www.boston.gov/historic-district/monument-square-landmark-district-study