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February 2010 

Our Commonwealth 

The Robbins-Hutchinson House: Yielding New Stories,Suggesting New Possibilities

 At first glance, the small cottage across from Sleepy HollowCemetery looks rather modest and unassuming. But onceyou start to learn a little about the history of the CaesarRobbins House, it draws you in. New research about thishistoric house, which was recently up for sale andthreatened by the possibility of demolition, has uncovered a

fascinating story of slavery and freedom, from the "shot heard 'round theworld" to the Emancipation Proclamation.

Today the town of Concord is one of the most famously "historic" places inMassachusetts and the country. Visitors can learn about the history of theRevolutionary War at Minute Man National Historical Park and see the authors'houses and landscapes of the small town that became a center for literarytalent and philosophical ideas in the mid- nineteenth century. In such a well-known place, one might think that "history" is over. The work of localpreservationists and public historians to document and protect the CaesarRobbins House is a reminder of how preservation work can yield new storiesand suggest new possibilities for understanding our past.

Caesar Robbins built this small house at the edge of the Great Meadows notlong after the battles of Lexington and Concord. He had fought in theRevolutionary War, and earlier in his life he had been enslaved. He was a freeman of African descent who lived during the time that Massachusetts firstdebated, and then eventually, by court decision in 1783, prohibited slavery. Hisfirst wife Phillis was enslaved by the Bliss-Emerson family, as was hisdaughter. Readmore. (http://preservationmass.org/2010/02/yielding-new-stories-suggesting-new-possibilities/) 

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PM "Mini Grant" Awarded toRoyall House, Medford

Circuit Rider Michele Barker has noted inher post on the James Weldon JohnsonHouse, Massachusetts has a long and notalways well-recognized African-Americanheritage. For this February E-Newsletter,

PM has chosen to highlight the rich trail of  African-American sites in theCommonwealth like the Isaac RoyallHouse and Slave Quarters in Medford.

Read more.

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Hanging by a Thread:The Retreat of James WeldonJohnson 

 At the westernmost edge of my Circuit Riding territory,

Berkshire County has a long, though not always well-recognized African-American heritage. In the 18th century,Elizabeth "Mum Bett" Freeman of Sheffield successfully suedfor her freedom in a landmark case that declared slaveryunconstitutional in Massachusetts. In the 19th century, moreBerkshire County soldiers enlisted in the 54th Regiment(commemorated by the 1989 film "Glory") than from anyother part of the state. Samuel Harrison, chaplain to the54th, settled in Pittsfield.

Some of the buildings associated with these figures are gone; the DuBois

Homestead holds only a monument to the house that once stood there. Others,like the Harrison House in Pittsfield, are being preserved. And one-the GreatBarrington summer writing retreat of James Weldon Johnson--is hanging by athread. Read more. 

(http://preservationmass.org/2010/02/hanging-by-a-threadthe-retreat-of-james-weldon-johnson/) 

Save the Date: Paul E. Tsongas Profiles in Preservation Awards - May 5, 2010 

2010 marks Preservation Massachusetts'25th Anniversary as the statewide non-profitpromoting the preservation of ourCommonwealth. In celebrating thismilestone event, we wish to acknowledgethose individuals who have made adifference in the landscape of historic

preservation in Massachusetts . PM wanted to find a way to share the stories,successes (and losses) that made the Massachusetts preservation communitywhat it is today. Read more. 

Update: Samuel HarrisonHouse, Pittsfield 

Listed on Preservation Massachusetts'2005 Most Endangered HistoricResources, the Samuel Harrison House in

Pittsfield is a great success story. Thesmall, mid-19th century, Greek Revivalhouse with a stone foundation issignificant because of its associations tothe Rev. Samuel Harrison and the

 American Abolitionist Movement. Readmore. 

Essex National Heritage Area Partnership Grant

Deadline: Sunday, February 28, 2010- 11:59PM 

The Essex National Heritage Commissionis currently accepting on-line proposals

from municipalities and qualified nonprofitorganizations for the 2010 Essex HeritagePartnership Grant Program.Read more. 

Salem AthanaeumCelebrates 200 Years in

2010! 

The Salem Athenæum, a preeminentcultural institution, marks its 200th year in

2010. With its collection of historic andcontemporary books and qualityprogramming comprised of lectures,courses, and concerts, the Athenæum willcelebrate its members and collections and

their influence on Salem and the world.

Read more. 

Cape Wide HistoricPreservation Workshop

Where: Harwich Community Center,Harwich, MA 

When: March 25, 2010 11am-3pm 

Workshop on historic buildings and green

design.Read more.