Public Notice: Regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Section 106 Review of Building a New Shaker Museum
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has offered the Shaker Museum and Library a grant to construct a construct and outfit a climate-controlled collections storage facility in its new museum building. NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. This public notice is issued as part of NEH’s responsibilities under 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the regulations which implement Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, 16 U.S.C. §
470. NEH, a funding agency, is required by regulation to identify and assess the effects of any proposed actions on historic properties. If any proposed action will have an adverse effect on historic resources, NEH works with the appropriate parties to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. Additionally, the Section 106 regulations require NEH to consider the views of the public on preservation issues when making final decisions that affect historic properties.
The proposed undertaking involves renovation and expansion of the building located at 5 Austerlitz St., Chatham, NY 12037. The building is located within and contributes to the Indiana Avenue Historic District, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on June 12, 1987.
The proposed project is to construct and outfit a climate-controlled collections storage facility as part of its new museum building. The entire project will include rehabilitation of the Senate Knitting Company, a 19th century industrial building and construction of an addition and associated parking and landscaping. The site is a non-contributing resource within the National Register listed Chatham Village Historic District
On June 16, 2021, Weston Davey, Historic Site Restoration Coordinator, Division for Historic Preservation with the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, provided the opinion that the proposed project will have no adverse effect to historic and cultural resources. Subsequently, NEH has determined that the project will have “no adverse effect”.
As required by Section 106, NEH is providing the public with information about this project, as well as an opportunity to comment on any knowledge of, or concerns with, historic properties in the proposed project area, and issues relating to the project’s potential effects on historic properties. Comments may be submitted to the NEH by e-mail to FPO@neh.gov. The deadline for submitting comments is Wednesday, July 21, 2021.