Tour starts at Latchstring Park (Corner of Main St & West Elm St)

Yarmouth’s motto is “our latchstring is always out.” As housing and rental prices have risen above the means of many who already live and work in the community, members of the Yarmouth Affordable Housing Committee (YAHC) have considered various options to address affordable housing and the idea of new innovations in housing, where housing could go, and what it might look like in town. The YAHC and Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee have collaborated on this companion event to illuminate the spectrum of densities of the existing housing stock, particularly of the historic structures that comprise so much of the Town’s cultural value of the village character and historic preservation.

What do you envision when you think about homes? Or housing density? You may be surprised to learn about the town’s historic patterns of settlement and the existing homes in the town that have multiple dwelling units, some of which have been maintained for hundreds of years. View our Visualizing Density guide here.

The walking tour will dive into several historic homes with their owners to learn about the history, new and old changes to the structure to accommodate changing uses, and how they fit into the existing neighborhood. The route will take us down East Elm Street, Main Street, Church Street, Hillside Street, Bates Street, Cumberland Street and West Elm Street. Participants will also receive a booklet with additional details and resources on history, architecture, innovations in housing, and historic preservation.

Registration is appreciated to Julie Dubovsky, Assistant Planner at jdubovsky@yarmouth.me.us.