The Amherst New Hampshire Heritage Commission is a town organization that are appointed by the Board of Selectmen, usually for a 3 year term.  Members of the commission meet on the 2^nd Thursday of the month in the Town Hall Landry Conference Room at 6:30 PM.  

The commission is dedicated to serve as a facilitator in discovering Amherst’s rich, sometimes hidden, history and heritage.   One of our goals is to make the public aware of the heritage which makes people aware of Amherst’s unique heritage.   We undertake this effort through town-wide presentations, coordinate the activities of other organizations in Amherst, apply for grants and conduct activities, and initiatives that recognize and preserve the unique identity of our town. We are committed to promoting, preserving, enhancing, and curating the natural, cultural, and historical resources that define Amherst’s sense of place.

2022-2023 Commission Members (All Appointed by the Amherst Board of Selectmen)

Regular Members

Will Ludt,  Chair

Conor Frain,  Vice Chair

Lisa Montesanto

John Bement

Brenda Perry

Gordon Zuerndorfer

Tom Grella, BOS Ex Officio

Alternate Members

Laura Zuerndorfer

Recorder

Kristan Patenaude

The Amherst, New Hampshire Heritage Commission was established at Town Meeting on March 12, 2002  for the purpose of properly recognizing, using, protecting, and preserving the historic and heritage resources of the town of Amherst that are valued for their historic, cultural, aesthetic or community significance within their natural, built or cultural environments. In the time of COVID, sheltering in place and Zoom, we can look back with pride at our accomplishments, but also look forward to continue our mission of preserving our rich heritage that we have in Amherst.  The Amherst Heritage Commission shall have advisory and review authority only.

 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES: The Heritage Commission shall have the following duties and functions consistent with RSA 674:

1. Survey and inventory all historic and cultural resources within the town, conduct research and publish findings.
2. Assist the Planning Board, as requested, in the development and review of those sections of the master plan which address cultural and historic resources.  Advise, upon request, local agencies and other local boards in their review of requests on matters affecting or potentially affecting cultural and historic resources, including advising the City Council on the Historic Value of potentially “replaced qualifying structures” pursuant to RSA 79-E:4.
3. Coordinate activities with appropriate service organizations and nonprofit groups.  Establish partnerships with individuals, schools, local businesses, Town boards and organizations who share like interests in the preservation and conservation of the town’s heritage resources
4. Supporting issues which address cultural and historic resources; coordinate activities of national, state and local organizations and reviewing matters affecting cultural and historic resources town-wide
5. Receive gifts of money and property, in the name of the Town, subject to Selectmen approval, and manage such gifts for its proper use