Researching Your Home: Published Sources
Boston Newspapers
- Boston Globe (1980-Present) This link opens in a new windowProvides full-text articles for staff-written news items, feature stories, columns, and editorials for the Boston Globe. Coverage: 1980-present
Boston Landmarks Commission Reports
The Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC), along with the local Historic District Commissions, provides information and assistance concerning the regulatory process, historic preservation planning and protection, archaeology, sources for historical information, and technical assistance.
In the 1980s the BLC published in-depth historic preservation surveys of several Boston neighborhoods. These included inventory sheets on individual houses with information about their architects, builders and history. The inventory sheets are organized by street number and street name.
Some of these surveys have been digitized and can be found on www.archive.org including:
Fenway part 2 volume 1
Fenway part 2 volume 2
Hyde Park part 1
Midtown Cultural District volume 1
Midtown Cultural District volume 2
Parker Hill/Mission Hill part 1
Parker Hill/Mission Hill part 2
Roslindale and West Roxbury volume 1
Moreland Street Historic District, Roxbury
South Boston part 2
From the BPL Catalog
Discovering the History of Your House by ISBN: 1891661248Publication Date: 2002-05-01Every home has a story to tell! Whether you own an elaborate Victorian, cozy bungalow or cottage, ranch style, or are part of a newer subdivision, your house and property have a unique history that is just waiting to be uncovered. Part treasure hunt and part jigsaw puzzle, researching the history of your house is a fascinating and rewarding experience. In Discovering the History of Your House and Your Neighborhood, author Betsy J. Green will show you how easy it is to create a cherished legacy for future generations to enjoy. You'll learn about: Beginning your search Finding and contacting former owners of your house Discovering the architect who designed your house Finding the original plans for your house Re-creating long-lost woodwork, porches, even historic landscaping Locating building permits for your house Finding the original price of your house Researching subdivisions and neighborhoods Finding deeds for your house and land Getting information from a deed Finding old photos of your house and neighborhood Using old maps to learn about your neighborhood Discovering your house on a postcard Using vintage architectural magazines Writing up your house history Includes a state-by-state guide to resources
House Histories by ISBN: 0961487615Publication Date: 1989-09-01
Houses of Boston's Back Bay by ISBN: 0674409019Publication Date: 1975-01-01With 250 illustrations to accompany his text, Bainbridge Bunting focuses on a significant architectural form - the town house - and chronicles its development throughout the period of Back Bay's greatest growth.
