2005 massachusetts’ most endangered historic resources list

2005 Ten Most Endangered Historic ResourcesResource Summaries

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2005 Ten Most EndangeredResource Summaries

(Alphabetical by Community)

Auburn:Auburn High School

Auburn High School, designed by famous Worcester architect Lucius Wallace Briggs,was built in 1935. Using funds from “New Deal” programs, the use of high qualitymaterials and exceptional craftsman ship was possible through government assistanceduring the Great Depression. Sitting atop a grassy embankment on a major thoroughfarein the community, Auburn High School retains much of its original grandeur and historicelements.

The entire Auburn High School complex is slated to be demolished in 2006 when thenew high school facility will open, located directly behind the current school. The landthat the school stands on is currently planned for softball fields and of those fieldsinvokes Title Nine conflicts.

The Auburn School Reuse Committee was granted a three year window, ending inDecember of 2005, to find viable reuse scenarios for the original 1935 portion of theschool. The committee has identified other locations for the disputed sports fields andfeels the school could be reused for housing, community events or function space. In acommunity that has not retained much historic fabric, many feel the Auburn High Schoolis deserving of a well considered future.

For more information, please visit www.savethe35.org and help us save this last vestigeof historic preservation in Auburn!

Boston-Beacon Hill:First John P. Coburn House

Situated in an enclosed courtyard blocked from public view, the First John. P. CoburnHouse is a two story Federal style brick house. Its small scale is evident of the early 19th

architecture on Beacon Hill. John P. Coburn was a successful African-Americanbusinessman, an active abolitionist and prominent figure in the black community onBeacon Hill. He lived in this house from 1835 until 1843.

The Coburn house represents a unique situation in preservation. The house is exemptedfrom the city’s demolition delay ordinance because it would fall under review by theBeacon Hill Architectural Commission. It was further exempted from BHAC reviewbecause the house was not visible from a public way. Sitting vacant and deteriorating,


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the present owner had obtained permits for a “rehabilitation” that completely erase anyhistoric integrity on the building.

Many in the community were unaware of the plight of the Coburn House due to itslocation. As preservationist prepared an early announcement of its inclusion on the 2005Ten Endangered, worst fears were realized when the roof and second floors wereremoved and the interior gutted. This is a shocking reminder of the fragility of ourhistoric resources. The First Coburn House stands as a reminder to all that buildings canfall through the cracks of preservation, even on Beacon Hill.

Gloucester:Rocky Neck

Rocky Neck began as an isolated sheep pasture that became a hub for marine industries,including the Gloucester Marine Railway, shipbuilders and sail lofts. On the eastern endthe famed Tarr & Wonson Paint Manufactory became the first U.S maker of copperbottom paint for seafaring vessels. In the 1880’s artist began to flow to the Cape Annregion, making Rocky Neck home to one of the oldest continually working art colonies inthe United States

The threats to Rocky Neck are two-fold. First, a recent development plan for the Tarr &Wonson factory would turn it into a single family mansion that would demolish 70% ofthe factory buildings and do little to replicate its historic integrity. Secondly, increaseddemand for residential property along the waterfront is pushing out the artist’s housingand gallery space. Increased market rates that exclude the very people who contribute tothe unique cultural character of Rocky Neck for over a century would ultimately lead tothe demise of this seaside community. The Rocky Neck Art Colony wish for increasedrecognition of their fight to keep their community intact and educate a wider audienceabout their tangible historic links with Gloucester.

Haverhill:Bradford College Campus

The campus of Bradford College center around the “U” shaped quadrangle andencompass building styles from Second Empire to Colonial and Classical Revival. Thecollege’s educational foundations go back to 1803, as co-ed secondary school BradfordAcademy. Ultimately the school became the first accredited Junior College in 1932 and afull four-year college in 1971. The College officially closed in 2000. Some campusbuildings, including Academy & Hasseltine Hall, are included in the Bradford CommonLocal and National Historic Districts and make up an essential part of the primarilyresidential neighborhood and community history.

The campus was purchased by GFI Partners, Inc. in 2002 with the hopes of rehabilitationand resale to another educational facility and a promise of gifting the Kimball Tavern to


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the Bradford College Alumni Association and Haverhill Historical Society. Presently thecampus is vacant with no rehabilitation work and barely minimal maintenance. There isthe fear that this neglect could ultimately lead to actual demolition if the buildings are leftunattended for too long, or in an effort to make the parcel more appealing to potentialbuyers. The Haverhill Historic Society, partnered with the Bradford College AlumniAssociation and other community groups feel the buildings present tremendousopportunity for reuse and should be preserved as the community landmarks they are.

Jamaica Plain:Jabez Lewis Farmhouse

Built between 1822 and 1827, the Jabez Lewis Farmhouse is a two-story Federal stylefarmhouse. It is a testament to the agricultural roots of the communities surroundingurban Boston in the early 19th century. Sitting on land owned by the Arnold Arboretumof Harvard University, the house is a component of the National Historic Site designationgiven to the Arboretum.

The house is currently vacant and being overtaken by vegetation, but the largest threatseemed to come from within. A draft of a new Institutional Master Plan for theArboretum cited the possible demolition of the Lewis Farmhouse to make way for amaintenance facility. The Arboretum stated they were exploring other options, includingmoving the house, restoration and reuse, but the projected costs were too high.

Very recently, Harvard announced the cancellation of the maintenance facility project,due to public concerns about the fate of the house. But community groups, such as theJamaica Hills association feel that the house is still not saved. The feel that it should bepreserved as one of very few remaining examples of farmhouses in the Metro Boston areaand that if left vacant, demolition by neglect would ultimately claim the LewisFarmhouse.

New BedfordFairhaven Mills # 4 /Bennett Mills

The Fairhaven Mills #4 originally known as Bennett Mills was constructed in 1892. Atthe height of the textile era New Bedford produced the largest amount of fine cotton inthe country, with 82% of its population employed by 70 mills. From 1911 to1912, masterphotographer Lewis Hines photographed children working in the Fairhaven Mills as partof a nationwide documentation of child labor. His resulting work led Congress to enactthe Child Labor Law in 1916.

Currently Fairhaven Mills is structurally sound and occupied, however, the City Councilvoted in May 2005 to approve the demolition the Mill, beginning as early as spring 2006.In place of the mill a Home Depot will be constructed, consisting of a retail store and


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future development of retail and restaurant space. Many in New Bedford, includingWHALE, believe this project could work while still saving the mill, which providesmany opportunities for reuse. In a city of mills, Fairhaven Mills stand s apart as atangible link to the very foundations of the government and creation of the laws thatshape the society we live in today.

Pittsfield:Samuel Harrison House

This small Greek Revival home was built by the Revered Samuel Harrison. Harrison, anAfrican-American clergyman and longtime resident of Pittsfield, contributed animportant voice to the philosophical and political debate over race relations throughoutthe 19th century. Harrison was also the chaplain for the 54th Massachusetts VolunteerInfantry, the “Glory” brigade of black soldiers during the Civil War.

The house remained in Harrison’s family until it was given to the Samuel HarrisonSociety. Currently unoccupied, it is constantly threatened by vandalism, possible arson,dumping and vagrancy. Outright demolition is not a concern, but the Society and otherinterested citizens in Pittsfield feel the house could still be lost.

The Society endeavors to restore the property and grounds for use as an educational toolto promote Harrison’s noble life, enduring beliefs and extraordinary writings. His houseis an embodiment of his values in a tumultuous and radical time in our American history,the results of which changed the course of a nation.

Upton:Civilian Conservation Corps. Camp

The Civilian Conservation Corps. Camp SP25, located in Upton State Forest, is one ofonly five remaining examples of Corps. Camps in the state. Consisting of paradegrounds, main building, barracks, as well as a cottage, this complex housed the corpsmember while they undertook local projects like Dean Dam, Park and Middle Road. Inthe 1940’s the Massachusetts State Guards used the site as Camp Stover and also as fieldheadquarters for Massachusetts Fish and Game and Phillips’ Wildlife Lab through 1956.

Currently the buildings are unoccupied and minimal maintenance is being done. UptonState Forest is a satellite of the Blackstone Heritage area and maintained by a small staff,with no budgeted funds specifically for the Upton camp. Main concerns about the campare building failures due to weather conditions, as well as vandalism. There is animmediate need for an assessment survey of the various building conditions. Groups inthe community see reuse possibilities ranging meeting spaces and classrooms foreducational opportunities to showcase the history of the CCC and life at the camp.


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Wenham:Wenham Town Hall

The Town Hall, built in 1854, sits in the midst of Wenham Town Center, forming thecrux of a local Historic District and an interesting architectural collection along MainStreet. This two story wood frame structure sits atop a granite foundation and still retainsmany of the original architectural elements of the Italianate style. The building hasserved the town through a number of uses over the years, ranging from school rooms,housing the town library to social functions and selectman’s meetings.

Due to lack of maintenance, town offices were moved in 222 and restoration estimateswere more expensive than anticipated. Plans to demolish the Town Hall for a newfacility including a police station were considered, but the Historic District Commissionrefused the demolition. Selectmen then proposed to exempt all town owned or leasedproperties from the District and the protection of the Commission. Such an act wouldhave been a devastating precedent setting event and usurping of the Commission’sauthority.

Many local citizens were outraged and rallied behind saving the Town Hall. At a specialtown meeting in October of 2005, Preservation Massachusetts made an earlyannouncement of the Town Hall’s inclusion on the Ten Endangered List. Therecognition of the Town Hall, combined with the efforts of Citizens for an AffordableRestored Town Hall resulted in the voting down of demolition and approval of arestoration plan. The necessary work will make the Town Hall a true preservationsuccess story.

Wilmington:Butters Farm

Butters Farm, or the William Butters II Farmhouse, was originally built between 1682and 1690, evolving as it was continuously lived in for over 320 years. It is believed to bethe second oldest house in Wilmington. The Butters family were some of the town’searliest settlers and their farm saw the discovery of the Baldwin Apple in the lateeighteenth century.

Butters Farm is part of a larger parcel of property being sold to a developer with plans todemolish the house to make way for new construction. The town has the option topurchase the house at the market rate or $450,000, with the decision deadline extendeduntil June of 2006. The developer has also offered to donate the house if it will be movedfrom the site, however many in the town feel that the location is just as important as thehouse. No decisions have been made on how to secure funding for the purchase or moveof the house. The Historic Commission, along with other townspeople, feel the house


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should be saved due to its historic ties with the beginnings of Wilmington. Reusescenarios include renovation and maintenance as a museum, or renovation and rentaloptions that would keep the house and intact for the community.

2005 massachusetts’ most endangered historic resources list

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