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2003

Ten Most Endangered


Historic Resources

PreservatiON MASS annually spotlights the Ten Most En-


dangered Historic Resources in the Commonwealth to focus
attention on and rally support for imperiled historic buildings
and landscapes. Through a media campaign, the program head-
lines historic places threatened by neglect, deterioration, insuf-
ficient funding, inappropriate development, insensitive public
policy or vandalism. Local organizations and individuals con-
cerned about the potential loss of these significant resources
nominate sites from their community. Due to the hard work and
diligence of concerned community members using the Endan-
gered designation as an advocacy tool, fewer than fifteen of the
more than one hundred thirty sites listed to date have been lost.
Through the hard work of preservation-minded groups and in-
dividuals, we hope that the 2003 Endangered Resources will
become preservation success stories!
Wright-Holden Farm, Acton
One of the earliest houses in East Acton, the
c. 1830 “Middlesex Federal” style Wright-
Holden Farm sits prominently on Route 2 and
is the last farmstead in Acton to retain so much
open space surrounding it. The farmhouse has
been vacant for 20 years, although part of the
open space is used by the community for soc-
Photo: Peter Grover, Acton Historical Commission cer fields and Boy Scout ceremonies.
The current owner, the Massachusetts Department of Corrections (MDOC), has no
immediate plans for the house and performs little in the way of maintenance. Many
concerned individuals have contacted the Acton Historical Commission regarding the
state of the house and their wish to see it restored and adaptively reused, however little
can be done while the MDOC retains control of the property.

Blackstone Canal, Blackstone River


Photo: Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor

Valley National Heritage Corridor


The Blackstone Canal is an engineered structure and land-
scape extending forty-five miles from Worcester to Provi-
dence, RI. The Massachusetts canal route travels
throughthe communities of Blackstone, Millville,
Uxbridge, Northbridge, Grafton, Sutton, Millbury and
Worcester. The Canal operated from 1828 to 1848, dur-
ing which time it played a significant role in advancing
the Industrial Revolution through innovative transporta-
tion technology. The industrial villages came to see them-
selves as connected by the river and canal.
Because some segments of the Canal are intact and well-preserved, there’s a general
misconception by the public that the entire resource is protected. Much of the Canal is
located on private property, which is being developed without regard to the resource.
Nature and time continue to erode canal walls and wash out sections of the towpath.
The public sections of the Canal are subject to erosion from dirt bike tires.
Suburbanization occurring adjacent to the Canalthreatens the integrity and continuity
of the early 19th century landscape.
Historic Granite Landings,
Charles River Esplanade, Boston
Built in the 1930s, Commissioners, Dartmouth
Street and Gloucester Street Granite Landings
are architectural anchors of this National Reg-
ister-listed riverside park. Boston landscape ar-
chitect ArthurShurcliff, best known for his work
at Colonial Williamsburg, designed the Gran-
ite Landings as part of the 1930s widening of
the Charles River Esplanade. The Granite Land-
ings serve as overlooks, formal landings for
small boats, and popular gathering spots for Photo: The Esplanade Association
park visitors.
After decades of neglect, the Granite Landings are collapsing into the river. Environ-
mental conditions, especially freeze and thaw cycles, mortar loss, inappropriate re-
pairs, organic growth and extensive use, have all contributed to the damage. A 1999
Metropolitan District Commission assessment report identified urgent repairs
neededwithin one to two years. Since that study was issued, nothing has been done to
stabilize or repair the structures and additional damage has occurred. There is strong
and widespread support for preserving the Granite Landings from preservation and
conservation groups across the Commonwealth.

Historic Breweries of

Photo: Elaine Stiles


Mission Hill, Roxbury
The 1886 Eblana-Alley Brewery, the 1892-1913
Highland Spring Brewery, and the 1876-1886
Vienna Brewery are located along the former
Stony Brook corridor in Roxbury’s Mission Hill
neighborhood. At the height of the local brew-
ing industry in the late 19th century, the Stony
Brook corridor was a regional center of indus-
trial production. The remnants of the three brew-
eries, as well as four additional brewery complexes in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain, were
recommended as a potential thematic National Register Historic District by the Boston
Landmarks Commission (BLC) in 1985. In 1988 the BLC issued an official eligibility
opinion finding the Vienna Brewery eligible for the National Register and also designated
the complex a Boston Landmark.
The three breweries face similar threats, including neglect, inappropriate rehabilitation,
and pending sales without preservation restrictions or clear plans for redevelopment.While
there is no immediate threat of demolition for any of the structures, all are in a similarly
tenuous position by reason of being largely vacant or for sale. The plight of the breweries
drew the attention of the Friends of Historic Mission Hill, a neighborhood preservation
advocacy group, who submitted the property nomination.
Toll Keeper’s House,
Chelsea The Toll Keepers House, built c. 1800, is one of
the oldest surviving houses in Chelsea and a sur-
vivor of the 1908 fire that destroyed half the city.
Local historians believe this house to be associ-
ated with the first bridge erected to serve the trade,
commerce, and transportation needs of the North
Shore. The property is divided into two lots, the
line between which runs through the middle of
the building. The site was significantly altered
with the construction of the Tobin Bridge in 1949.
Photo: David Meyers It is listed on the National Register as part of the
Chelsea Square Historic District.
The house is up for sale and being offered as two separate lots. The tight location
below the Tobin bridge, the poor condition of the property, and the high asking price
for each lot have many in the community fearful that the property will be sold to a
developer for short money, who would then demolish it and replace it with a new
structure. The Chelsea City Manager, City Council, Planning and Community Devel-
opment Office, Historical Commission and Historical Society all support the effort to
preserve the Toll Keeper’s House.

Immaculate Conception Church,


Holyoke
Immaculate Conception Church, located in the Flats
section of Holyoke along one of the many canals, was
an important parish for many French-speaking immi-
grants. Built during the 1930s in the French Gothic
style, the church is reminiscent of New York City’s
renowned Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, considered one
of the most beautiful public buildings in the United
States. The first pastor of this church, Reverend Julian
Ginet, was originally from France, where he’d studied
Photo: Sarah DiSano
architecture, and he was the church’s main designer.

Built to house over 1000 people, over the years the parish has dwindled to a popula-
tion of about 400. According to the June 22, 2003 Immaculate Conception Church
bulletin, “It is believed that we can build a smaller church holding about 350 to 400
people and costing about one and a half million dollars. A smaller church would in-
volve much less maintenance costs.” According to the Diocese of Springfield, a final
decision has not yet been made as to the fate of this church. The Holyoke Historical
Commission and many other concerned community leaders and citizens strongly op-
pose demolishing this building.
Westinghouse “Victorian” Crook
Street Lamps, Lenox
The c. 1900 Victorian Crook Street Lamps were pro-
duced and sited in Lenox by George Westinghouse
and his Massachusetts Electric Company. Local leg-
end claims that the street lamps were erected for
Mrs. Westinghouse, who disliked traveling in the
dark. The 1913 Town of Lenox Annual Report states
Photo: David Meyers

that 105 street lamps were installed at a cost of


$3,675, with the town’s expenses being offset by a
donation from Mr. Westinghouse. By 1916, forty-
four additional street lamps had been installed.
In 1990, twenty street lamps remained standing. By 2003, only eleven street lamps
were still standing, three of which have no electricity or are partially damaged and
missing parts. Over the years, Mass Electric has removed many of the Westinghouse
lamps and replaced them with modern aluminum light poles. The Lenox Historical
Commission and many concerned citizens have united to study the street lamps, as
they strongly believe they contribute to Lenox’s character and should be restored.

Schell Memorial Bridge,


Northfield
The Schell Memorial Bridge is a 515-foot long
steel cantilever truss bridge donated to the town
by one of its leading citizens, Francis R. Schell,
who hoped to obtain easy access from his cha-
teau in downtown Northfield to the East
Northfield Railroad Station. Schell Bridge is the
Photo: Tony Jewell third oldest of five Pennsylvania Truss Bridges
and was designed by Edward S. Shaw, an important bridge engineerin Massachusetts
from 1873 to 1919. Up until its closing in 1985, theSchell Bridge provided the town
with easy transportation between the two sides of the village, which is divided by the
Connecticut River.
Lack of funding for maintenance and rehabilitation are ongoing threats to the Schell
Bridge. According to the nomination, the Town has never had sufficient funding to
maintain the bridge and by 1985 it was too far gone from a structural strength point of
view and was closed. Mass Highway devised a plan to repair the bridge, but the Town
could not justify the costs of assuming responsibility for maintaining the rehabilitated
structure. In 1992, with no group willing to take on the responsibility of the bridge, the
decision was made to tear it down. Demolition bids were made and contracts awarded
in 1999, however economic issues continued to plague the structure. The Northfield
community recognizes the bridge’s historic importance and many would like to see it
restored, albeit at a reasonable cost.
Sea Call Farm, Orleans

Sea Call Farm occupies 6.35 acres of land with a view


of the Town Cove. It is the only remaining ensemble of
intact farmland with farm buildings in Orleans. The land
was purchased in 1921 by William Fiske, who built the
farmhouse between 1912 and 1922. Up until the prop-
erty was purchased for conservation land by the Town
of Orleans in 1987, it was owned and continuously lived
in by members of the Fiske family. Photo: The Sea Call Supporters

Some members of the Orleans Conservation Commission feel that the farm buildings (in-
cluding the house, greenhouse and garage) should be demolished because they are expen-
sive to maintain. The nominees feel there is a lack of understanding within the Conservation
Commission with regards to how the historic importance of the farm buildings relates to the
value of the property as open space. The Sea Call Supporters have raised $32,000 for
abatementof lead paint and asbestos present on all of the buildings, and at Orleans Town
Meeting, an additional $29,000 was approved for those purposes. However, the cost of
abating these materials may exceed the total amount raised. Both the Orleans Historical
Commission and Historical Society consistently support preserving the farm complex as a
window to Orleans’ past.

The Nichewaug
Inn, Petersham
For the better part of 200
years there has been a tav-
ern, inn or hotel on this Photo: Friends of the Nichewaug Inn
site on the Petersham Common. The 1899 Shingle Style Nichewaug Inn was built as a
summer resort by prominent Petersham citizen, James W. Brooks, after a 1897 fire
destroyed a previous inn located on the site. The Inn was a popular summer getaway
for nearly 50 years. In 1951 the Inn was acquired by the Sisters of Maria Assumpta and
converted into a parochial school for girls. A 55,000 square foot brick building was
added to the rear for classrooms and student housing. The Sisters closed the school
during the 1970s, but used the building as a retreat until its eventual sale to private
interests in the 1980s.
The property has sat vacant and unused for 20 years, changing ownership several times
during that period, until it was purchased by its current owner in 1992. In 1992 the
Town supported plans to develop the property as a restaurant and inn and granted the
necessary variances. However the project did not go forward and the property has been
offered for sale ever since. The threat of arson is a primary concern for the community,
which has a volunteer fire department with minimal equipment. A local concerned
citizens group, Friends of the Nichewaug Inn, has been formed to promote this impor-
tant historic resource.
Alternates
Pierce Organ Factory, Reading
Built in 1847, the Pierce Organ Pipe Factory manufac-
tured thousands of metal and wood pipes for musical
organs throughout America over the factory’s nine de-
cades of operation. With its skilled workers, Samuel
Pierce’s factory became the seed for turning Reading
into a major center for organ industries. This two-story,
timber-frame, Greek Revival-Italianate structure largely
retains its original characteristics, such as corner pilas-
ters and six-over-six wood windows. Photo: Clayton Jones

When Pierce died in 1895 his manager took over the factory, but the business went into
decline during the Depression, when the advent of talking movies reduced demand for the-
ater organs. The building is currently used for storage. In 2001 it was threatened with demo-
lition to make way for the construction of townhouses on the site, but the Reading Historical
Commission was able to temporarily delay the action. Overall deterioration has resulted
from years of neglect, and there is a serious threat of loss due to fire. The Reading Historical
Commission voted in June 2002 to seek new ways to preserve the structure and the Planning
Department is investigating the possibility of reusing the property as affordable housing.
Cooperation between planning, historical and zoning boards is strong. The property was
officially put up for sale in 2003.

Edmund Fowle House, Watertown


The Edmund Fowle House, the second oldest surviv-
ing house in Watertown, is believed to have been built
in the early 1740s by John Bond, and was originally
located on Mt. Auburn Street. The property was pur-
chased by Edmund Fowle in 1747 and was occupied
by the Fowle family for 150 years. In 1776 the Treaty
of Watertown was signed in this house—this was the
first treaty signed between the newly formed United
Photo: Historical Society of Watertown
States and a foreign power (the delegates of the St.
John’s and Mi’kmaq Tribes of Native Americans.) In 1871 Charles Brigham purchased the
house, moved it to its present Marshall Street address, and converted it into a two family
residence. In 1922 the Historical Society of Watertown purchased the home and undertook
an exterior restoration.
Due to a lack of funding and weather damage, the Fowle House is in fragile condition. If
preservation of the house is not undertaken within the next year, original fabric will soon be
lost. The house is currently closed to the public, due to building code violations and the
immanent danger of ceiling collapse on the first floor. Three preservation studies were con-
ducted on the house, all of which confirmed the house’s historical significance and the need
for preservation and restoration. The Watertown Town Council and Historical Commission
support the preserving the house, however the Town has been unable to allocate any funding
towards the restoration project.

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