Springfield Preservation Trust

05/28/2026

The Springfield Preservation Trust has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the 1772 Foundation, in partnership with Preservation Massachusetts, to support painting the exterior of the 7-9 Stockbridge Street building, constructed in 1845, later this year. Built for Elam Stockbridge—who developed Stockbridge Street as a commercial area starting in 1839—the building's ground-floor business operated as a grocery store in the 1880s. In 1913, it was sold to Emil Guenther and his brother-in-law Richard Handel, who managed Guenther & Handel's Deli there until 1972.

This grant was made possible in part by the 2025 Giving Tuesday Fundraiser, with support from Trust members and public donors. Use this link to learn more about the project
https://springfieldpreservation.org/7-9-stockbridge-street/. Springfield Preservation Trust will follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Keep an eye out for this work later this year!

Many thanks to Preservation Massachusetts and !

Springfield Preservation Trust has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the 1772 Foundation, in partnership with Preservation Massachusetts, to support painting the exterior of the 7-9 Stockbridge Street building, constructed in 1845, later this year. Built for Elam Stockbridge—who developed Stockbridge Street as a commercial area starting in 1839—the building's ground-floor business operated as a grocery store in the 1880s. In 1913, it was sold to Emil Guenther and his brother-in-law Richard Handel, who managed Guenther & Handel's Deli there until 1972.

05/21/2026

Tonight, join us for the 2026 Springfield Preservation Trust’s Preservation Awards, taking place at South Congregational Church at 45 Maple Street. Parking will be available in the church parking lot on May 21. The event starts at 7pm.

This awards ceremony is SPT’s way of celebrating Preservation Month, which highlights the importance of historic preservation each May.

Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. Light refreshments will be provided. Tour of the church after the ceremony. Learn more and RSVP on Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-preservation-awards-tickets-1987575935126 Photos courtesy of the Jeff Morgan, Rockstar Cinema, and Works Progress Administration.

05/20/2026

Tomorrow, please attend the 2026 Springfield Preservation Trust Preservation Awards at South Congregational Church, 45 Maple Street. Parking is available in the church lot on May 21. The event starts at 7pm. This is the perfect way to celebrate Preservation Month!

This awards ceremony is SPT’s way of celebrating Preservation Month, which highlights the importance of historic preservation each May.

Learn more and RSVP on Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-preservation-awards-tickets-1987575935126?aff=erelexpmlt Photos courtesy of Rockstar Cinema and Jeff Morgan.

The Preservation Awards honor people and organizations helping to restore historic structures in Springfield.

05/12/2026

Attend the 2026 Springfield Preservation Trust Preservation Awards at South Congregational Church, 45 Maple Street. Parking is available in the church lot on May 21. The event starts at 7pm. This is the perfect way to celebrate Preservation Month!

This awards ceremony is SPT’s way of celebrating Preservation Month, which highlights the importance of historic preservation each May.

The Springfield Preservation Trust Preservation Awards recognize those restoring Springfield's historic buildings. Each year, the Trust highlights properties that exemplify outstanding historic preservation work completed in the past year. Awards typically go to property owners who return buildings to their historic appearance by removing inappropriate siding, repairing or replicating original details, or restoring structures from disrepair.

Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. Light refreshments will be provided. Learn more and RSVP on Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-preservation-awards-tickets-1987575935126 Photos courtesy of Rockstar Cinema.

05/09/2026

Fantastic tour today of the Hill Shops at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, led by guide Carl Steele. We explored the unique architecture and original uses of the buildings around the green.

Today’s tour was made possible by funding from the American Alliance of Museums and the National Park Service. Thank you to AAM, NPS, and the Springfield Armory NHS staff for making this an amazing (and free!) experience for the public.

The Second Saturday Tours series explores historic Springfield and is co-presented by the Springfield Preservation Trust and Springfield Museums, and is generously sponsored by the Springfield Cultural Council and Mass Cultural Council. Gratitude to all of our donors, attendees, and members for supporting this important program!

05/09/2026

Today, join our Second Saturday Hill Shops tour on May 9, 10:30 am–12 pm, led by Springfield Armory National Historic Site guide Carl Steele. Discover the unique architecture and original uses of the buildings around the green. Hosted in partnership with Springfield Museums and Springfield Armory, this guided tour is free. Please register through https://www.eventbrite.com/e/springfield-armory-hill-shops-walking-tour-tickets-1985857520301?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

The Second Saturday Tours series explores historic Springfield and is co-presented by the Springfield Preservation Trust and Springfield Museums, and is generously sponsored by the Springfield Cultural Council and Mass Cultural Council. Additionally, this tour and the other led by Springfield Armory on August 8 would not be possible without funding provided by the American Alliance of Museums and the National Park Service. This event will be held rain or shine.

Join us for a walking tour of the historic Hill Shops at the Springfield Armory, with Springfield Armory tour guide Carl Steele.

05/07/2026

Join us for the 2026 Springfield Preservation Trust’s Preservation Awards, taking place at South Congregational Church at 45 Maple Street. Parking will be available in the church parking lot on May 21. The event starts at 7pm.

This awards ceremony is SPT’s way of celebrating Preservation Month, which highlights the importance of historic preservation each May.

The Springfield Preservation Trust Preservation Awards recognize those restoring Springfield's historic buildings. Each year, the Trust highlights properties that exemplify outstanding historic preservation work completed in the past year. Awards typically go to property owners who return buildings to their historic appearance by removing inappropriate siding, repairing or replicating original details, or restoring structures from disrepair.

Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. Light refreshments will be provided. Learn more and RSVP on Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-preservation-awards-tickets-1987575935126 Photos courtesy of the Jeff Morgan, Rockstar Cinema, and Works Progress Administration.

05/06/2026

In 3 days join our Second Saturday Hill Shops tour on May 9, 10:30 am–12 pm, led by Springfield Armory National Historic Site guide Carl Steele. Discover the unique architecture and original uses of the buildings around the green. Hosted in partnership with Springfield Museums and Springfield Armory, this guided tour is free. Please register through https://www.eventbrite.com/e/springfield-armory-hill-shops-walking-tour-tickets-1985857520301?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Perfect for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and armory lovers.
The Second Saturday Tours series explores historic Springfield and is co-presented by the Springfield Preservation Trust and Springfield Museums, and is generously sponsored by the Springfield Cultural Council and Mass Cultural Council. Additionally, this tour and the other led by Springfield Armory on August 8 would not be possible without funding provided by the American Alliance of Museums and the National Park Service. This event will be held rain or shine.

05/01/2026

Historic Building of the Week: Built c1872, this stunning Richardsonian Romanesque church at 18 Salem Street sits in the Metro Center neighborhood. Highlights include stained glass windows, a sanctuary hall, stonework, and historic architecture.

The brownstone church has been known by many names over the decades and features stained-glass windows from the studios of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson, it serves as an early example of his distinguished Romanesque style.

Photographs are provided courtesy of Jeremy Casey and the brokerage SR Commercial Realty. Listing: 18 Salem Street https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/18-Salem-St-Springfield-MA/40178833/. Historic photo, circa 1938-39, is courtesy of the WPA Image Project.

In honor of Preservation Month, the Trust is featuring this historic church instead of a historic home. Historic buildings can be seen throughout Springfield, each adding to the city's unique character. Preserving these buildings is essential. Celebrate with us by attending our Second Saturday tour on May 9 (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/springfield-armory-hill-shops-walking-tour-tickets-1985857520301?aff=odcleoeventsincollection) or the Preservation Awards on May 21 (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-preservation-awards-tickets-1987575935126?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)

04/30/2026

LOST: Demolished and gone forever. Two buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places—the Produce Exchange Building (1899) and the Cutler & Porter Block (1894) at 113 and 127 Lyman Street—have now been fully leveled.

What remains of their construction is reduced to piles of brick, wood, and debris, soon to be hauled away and deposited in landfills. With them goes a tangible piece of Springfield, Massachusetts’s history—lost not just in structure, but in memory, craftsmanship, and place.

On this day, under a light, steady rain, the scene feels especially somber. Now, without the roar of heavy demolition machines, there is an unfamiliar quiet—one that underscores the finality of these historic losses.