Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Historic Breweries of
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
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.