NEW BRITAIN–The city of New Britain got a very special distinction on Wednesday.
The downtown area of the city has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, thanks to a campaign spearheaded by Leah Glaser, an associate professor of history at Central Connecticut State University, and her students in the public history master’s degree program.
“I truly think that this designation will go a long way in honoring New Britain’s past and ensuring its future,” said Glaser. “It is a sustainable planning tool that encourages development, while maintaining a true and honest sense of place. Once historic structures are gone, they are gone forever. And New Britain’s prosperous past has left the kinds of buildings they just don’t build much anymore in terms of durability or aesthetic.”
This is the third district of New Britain to be added to the registry; other areas include the city’s West End, Walnut Hill Park and Central Park districts. The downtown district includes Main Street, West Main Street, Arch Street, Glen Street and Franklin Square, and includes buildings with historic architecture styles, such as 74 Whiting St., 191 Arch St., 94 Glen St. and 24 Washington St.
The city launched a historic preservation plan in 2010, and hopes to preserve its historical architecture. This designation also allows for historic tax credits for property owners.
“The National Register was created in the 1960s, around the time ‘urban renewal’ led to the removal of historic buildings in our community and an entire block of Main Street. Placing our downtown onto this registry will ensure that another portion of our city will in good hands for years to come,” said Mayor Erin E. Stewart. “Our downtown and its buildings from decades past are part of our proud industrious identity and should be preserved for future generations.”
