We conserve land and preserve historic buildings through public and private partnerships.
Founded in 1996, The Nahant Preservation Trust is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit charitable corporation whose mission is to preserve Nahant’s open spaces, historically significant properties, and conservation lands for public and community benefit.
What we have accomplished.
HISTORIC BUILDINGLife Saving Station
The landmark building on Nahant Road was built by the federal government on land donated by the Town of Nahant and given to the U.S. Life Saving Service in 1900 after a tragic marine disaster happened on our shores. This building is unique among the LSS buildings, designed to launch rescue boats on both ocean and harbor sides. As the Life Saving Service evolved into the Coast Guard and more technology was employed, the building became a recreational facility for the Coast Guard and was then abandoned. After much work by townspeople and our representatives at the state and federal level, it was deeded back from the federal government 2000. We’ve renovated the station using historical preservation skills to save its unique architectural features and we continue to maintain and restore it. The Life Saving Station is listed in the State Register of Historic Places.
HISTORIC BUILDINGNahant Community Center
Built in 1904, the former Valley Road School closed in 1983. It faced the threat of the wrecking ball in 1996, and the NPT was formed to place the building in a status that would permit restoration and adaptive re-use in order not to lose this slice of our history. We re-opened the restored building as the Nahant Community Center in 2003. It houses small businesses, the Nahant Historical Society and meeting spaces for private and community use. The Nahant Preservation Trust, and volunteers from the community, continue to maintain and restore this historic property. The Valley Road School is listed in the State Register of Historic Places.
OPEN SPACEEast Point
We stand opposed to Northeastern University's unnecessary and destructive expansion at East Point, Nahant. On what is open space today, NU plans to construct a 60,000 sq. ft. building, complete with fire roads, industrial scale utilities and a parking lot big enough for 200+ cars. Keep Nahant Wild is a movement of The Nahant Preservation Trust. KeepNahantWild.org
OPEN SPACENahant Country Club
We also protect Open Spaces through owning shares or properties directly. The NPT’s share ownership helps prevent further development of the Nahant Country Club property.
OPEN SPACEFurbush Road
Our holding on Furbush Road has blocked development in this key wetland area. The NPT continues working on habitat restoration at this Open Space property, collaborating with Mass Audubon and Safer Waters In Massachusetts on extending the wildlife habitat at Nahant Thicket.
OPEN SPACEWharf Street
The NPT continues working on habitat restoration at this Open Space property, collaborating with Mass Audubon and Safer Waters In Massachusetts on extending the wildlife habitat at Nahant Thicket.
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Website photography courtesy of Dave Morin and Robert Wilson