Mass. Historic Buildings Being Checked for Tornado Damage

Volunteers have been spreading out across Springfield neighborhoods to record damage to historic structures in the path of this month’s tornadoes.

The Springfield Preservation Trust and Preservation Massachusetts recruited the volunteers recently to visit the South End and Maple High Six Corners areas and take notes. They will stay outside and will not enter private property.

Almost 500 properties on 25 South End streets are being checked, along with scores of others in the hard-hit Maple Hill Local Historic District and nearby areas. The survey will help preservation experts concentrate their work on historic buildings that could qualify for special repair funds.

Three people were killed and several others were injured June 1 when twisters roared through western Massachusetts. Springfield, West Springfield, Monson and Brimfield were hit especially hard.