already on Historic Listing

I'm confused by your comment about "when they were replaced". Is your 1901 photo a photo of your home the year it was built and does it look exactly the same now?

Yes it is a picture taked a month after it was finished . That picture shows same one over one windows and Clapboard siding. The Historic commission asked when they we relaced because those would never have been on a house of that style and time frame.

Why do you care what they think? I think that's the info we are missing now.

Figure out who is on the board and who will side wwith you. Read their bylaws or regulations.

I would carefully document my case. I would collect all the old photos and records possible. I'd try to research the architect and get documentation reinforcing that architect's style at the time. I'd take current photos of those 6 neighboring houses that are identical to yours in timeframe, style, and details -- and definitely try to get old photos from those neighbors. I'd bring in those neighbors as allies to reinforce the case that it's all original. I'd speak with people in your local Historical Society to see if they have additional period photos or further info on the architect. And I'd definitely research the by-laws and any materials that govern this so-called Historic Preservation board. I might also involve my attorney.

I live in an historic district and the board has to issue a permit for anything done to exterior of house. I want to paint front porch. I was told to get permit I had to remove the inappropriate windows and siding. When presented with photograph and other houses , i was told they arent asking for permits, and that the windows in the picture are wrong even if they are original.

We go to court. First week of October .

What do you believe the Historic Society's motive is?

There's more to this than meets the eye, I suspect.

I don't know. When the towns attorney was told we were going to court , he just said here we go again.

Agee - either more to this than meets the eye, or that historic preservation board has some loony tunes serving on it. Hope you update us re: court.

i vote for the loony tunes

The woman in charge of evaluating changes to our local historical homes has some really weird ideas. If someone wants to do an addition, she wants it to look different from the original house so people can tell there is an addition. She even requested that one homeowner paint the addition a different color. Homeowner said ”no” to that one. So I can believe what the OP is saying about this historic preservation board.

I think differentiating any additions to historical homes is a fairly common 'suggestion' of historical preservationists.

In the OP's case, the preservation board seems to want to turn what is a simple maintenance issue of painting the porch, into re-siding and replacing windows -- that's nuts. I could see if they had an issue with paint color, but not the rest.

In my area, homes with inappropriate exterior elements are grandfathered in when a new historic district is established. Anything original would be allowed to remain but changes require approvals.

I suggest getting minutes of past meetings, copies of other homeowner submissions, and ask for information about past court cases. All business related to the historic preservation function should be public information, even if you have to submit a formal request. My city's officials talk tough, but don't like to lose so they will often back down when a homeowner doesn't roll over. Good luck with your project!