[MassHistPres] Ownership of historic properties
Terry McDermott
mcbeags at comcast.net
Mon Apr 9 13:48:31 EDT 2007
Thanks for sharing your experience, Stephanie. I hope someone has some
ideas for you. These are the same types of issues we fear in our rehab of
the Will Butters Farmhouse and we've been told similar things about
prevailing wage laws, etc. '
Good luck! I look forward to hearing responses to your situation from
others.
Terry McD
----- Original Message -----
From: "django1" <django1 at prodigy.net>
To: <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 1:25 PM
Subject: [MassHistPres] Ownership of historic properties
> In Cummington, our historical commission functions as a historical
> society.
> We are a town entity and our musuem is on town property and is a property
> of
> the town, though we maintain a separate town account of our own.
>
> We have been contemplating putting an addition on the museum. However,
> because we are a town property, we are subject to much regulation and
> related higher costs than a private or non-proft would be.
>
> As a town/public property, we are subject to all construction-related
> regulations and requirements mandated by the state. To do rehabs or new
> construction, we can only use state approved contractors which precludes
> most of our local companies, who might bring the most sensitivity to the
> job. Volunteer labor for large-scale construction projects is not an
> option.
> Anything above $25K automatically has to go to state bid. State wage union
> rates have to be followed, many of which are not in keeping with our local
> prevailing wages, bringing the costs much higher. While I can see why
> these
> regulations may have been developed, they do not work well for small
> municipal remotely located museums with limited funds.
>
> If we were a nonprofit not located on town land, we would have much lower
> projected costs. We could use volunteer labor to help build an addition.
> We
> could have a volunteer contractor. We could have a contractor/designer
> rather than a full-fledge architect.We could use local contractors whom we
> know well and who are familiar with our needs. These higher costs have
> impeded potential projects for us.
>
> This at least, is what we have been informed of by our town. In the past,
> someone in our town got caught by the state building a park pavillion
> without following the state regulations.
>
> If anyone has an idea of how to get around these, we'd appreciate it. (are
> waivers ever granted?).
>
> Thus, I think it's more advantageous from a financial point of view for
> the
> property to be owned by a non-profit.
>
> Stephanie Pasternak
> Cummington Historical Commission
> Cummington, MA
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu>
> To: <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 10:59 AM
> Subject: MassHistPres Digest, Vol 14, Issue 6
>
>
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>> Today's Topics:
>>
>> 1. Ownership of historic properties (Terry McDermott)
>> 2. Re: Ownership of historic properties (Carol Carlson)
>> 3. Re: Ownership of historic properties (James Hadley)
>> 4. Re: Ownership of historic properties (Aaron Marcavitch)
>> 5. Re: Ownership of historic properties (Dennis De Witt)
>> 6. Re: Ownership of historic properties (Judy Markland)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2007 23:07:44 -0400
>> From: "Terry McDermott" <mcbeags at comcast.net>
>> Subject: [MassHistPres] Ownership of historic properties
>> To: "MHC listserve" <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
>> Message-ID: <00de01c77a54$41a40be0$6401a8c0 at TERRYSMOBILE>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> As many of you may know, the town of Wilmington recently (October 2006)
>> acquired the William Butters Farmhouse, a small First Period half house
>> in
>> Wilmington. I have corresponded with members of this list in the past
>> and
>> I always learn something interesting.
>>
>> My current question is this - does anyone know of any Massachusetts towns
>> that have endeavored to own and rehabilitate historic residential
>> property? It is agreed by all that the Butters house is in need of some
>> serious preservation work. I know Chelmsford recently acquired and
>> ultimately sold an historic property; I know Burlington owns and is still
>> working on fundraising for the Grandview Farm, which I believe is large
>> enough to ultimately serve as a function facility, should the rehab work
>> be funded. (I also believe that Burlington is finding the whole rehab
>> process to be difficult) But do any other towns own historic residential
>> property? I've been trying to look into this issue and it appears to me
>> that town's often end up offloading this type of property to a private
>> society or foundation, which is, perhaps, better positioned to manage a
>> preservation project. At the heart of the issue for us would be how do
>> we
>> best finance the necessary rehab work for the best, mo
>> st historically sensitive outcome?
>>
>> A related question is - does anyone know of any towns that own historic
>> property which is rented out to residential tenants?
>>
>> Any thoughts/experiences that anyone can share would be greatly
>> appreciated.
>>
>> Thank you.
>>
>> Terry McDermott
>> Curator
>> Wilmington Town Museum at the
>> Col. Joshua Harnden Tavern, c.1770
>> 430 Salem Street
>> Wilmington, MA 01887
>> 978.658.5475
>> htavern at townofwilmingtonma.com
>> http://www.town.wilmington.ma.us/old/hist.htm
>>
>> The Wilmington Historical Commission can also be reached at the above
>> addresses and phone number.
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2007 00:11:34 -0400
>> From: Carol Carlson <cmcarl at mindspring.com>
>> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Ownership of historic properties
>> To: Terry McDermott <mcbeags at comcast.net>
>> Cc: MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
>> Message-ID: <4619BCF6.5060700 at mindspring.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>>
>> Terry:
>> The Town of Bedford owns the Job Lane House Farm Museum (c. 1720), 295
>> North Road, Bedford, MA. The House and property was bought by a private
>> citizen in the 1970's, then by a vote of Town Meeting, was bought by the
>> town, and then "given" to the Historical Commission to maintain. From
>> there, The Friends of the Job Lane House, Inc. emerged, and this group
>> refurbished the house with help from town organizations such as the
>> Rotary Club, Historical Society, Women's Club, etc. who each took a room
>> to refurbish. This spread the cost of the work around, and the time
>> involved was less for the Friends. Job's old house has a room of Rufus
>> Porter murals, a couple of old additions to the salt box, and continues
>> to bring interest and membership to the Friends organization, as it's a
>> wonderful old property steeped in local history.
>>
>> Once refurbished enough for occupancy, which included a bathroom tucked
>> into an attached shed that was once a school room, the Friends began
>> providing Open House tours with guides dressed in period clothing, a
>> little old fashioned music, and refreshments. Many holidays parties
>> have been held there, along with a Colonial Wedding (renewal of vows),
>> Barn Yard Sales, and this year with be the 9th for our big Craft Faire
>> on September 8th, on the beautiful front lawns of the property. Yes, we
>> have heat and electricity in the House, but only period furnishings.
>>
>> In 1993 we constructed a post and beam Barn close to the House, similar
>> to what we believe might have been on the property, to store many of the
>> old farm tools collected. The money was raised by the Friends, and all
>> the construction was by volunteers. The Barn is now used for various
>> activities, and has a gift shop plus another bathroom, and a small
>> kitchen area. Once finished, the Barn was deeded to the Town of
>> Bedford. The interior is an impressive work of huge beams, some curved,
>> with a hay loft. What a great barn raising week-end we had!
>>
>> The Town - via the now Historic Preservation Commission, the Facilities
>> Department, and the Department of Public Works, keep up with any major
>> projects, plus cuts the vast lawns and provides minor landscaping
>> needs. The Friends plan events, clean the buildings, do the
>> fundraising for maintenance and the Furnishing Committee's projects,
>> plus many other details as they arise. Each year the town's 3rd graders
>> get a special tour, including a cute hand-made history book of the
>> house, children's games, etc. provided by the Guides.
>>
>> There is much information available regarding this special historic
>> property, and I'd be willing to send our brochure to anyone interested.
>> Just send me an email with your address. Meanwhile, come visit us on
>> Open House Sundays - the 2nd and 4th sunday of each month, 2-4 pm,
>> beginning in May.
>>
>> Carol M. Carlson
>> Chair, Board of Directors
>> Friends of the Job Lane House, Inc.
>> cmcarl at mindspring.com
>> or - 781-275-2564
>>
>> Terry McDermott wrote:
>>
>>>As many of you may know, the town of Wilmington recently (October 2006)
>>>acquired the William Butters Farmhouse, a small First Period half house
>>>in
>>>Wilmington. I have corresponded with members of this list in the past
>>>and
>>>I always learn something interesting.
>>>
>>>My current question is this - does anyone know of any Massachusetts towns
>>>that have endeavored to own and rehabilitate historic residential
>>>property? It is agreed by all that the Butters house is in need of some
>>>serious preservation work. I know Chelmsford recently acquired and
>>>ultimately sold an historic property; I know Burlington owns and is still
>>>working on fundraising for the Grandview Farm, which I believe is large
>>>enough to ultimately serve as a function facility, should the rehab work
>>>be funded. (I also believe that Burlington is finding the whole rehab
>>>process to be difficult) But do any other towns own historic residential
>>>property? I've been trying to look into this issue and it appears to me
>>>that town's often end up offloading this type of property to a private
>>>society or foundation, which is, perhaps, better positioned to manage a
>>>preservation project. At the heart of the issue for us would be how do
>>>we
>>>best finance the necessary rehab work for the best, m
>> o
>>> st historically sensitive outcome?
>>>
>>>A related question is - does anyone know of any towns that own historic
>>>property which is rented out to residential tenants?
>>>
>>>Any thoughts/experiences that anyone can share would be greatly
>>>appreciated.
>>>
>>>Thank you.
>>>
>>>Terry McDermott
>>>Curator
>>>Wilmington Town Museum at the
>>>Col. Joshua Harnden Tavern, c.1770
>>>430 Salem Street
>>>Wilmington, MA 01887
>>>978.658.5475
>>>htavern at townofwilmingtonma.com
>>>http://www.town.wilmington.ma.us/old/hist.htm
>>>
>>>The Wilmington Historical Commission can also be reached at the above
>>> addresses and phone number.
>>>******************************
>>>For administrative questions regarding this list, please contact
>>>Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly. PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO THE
>>>WHOLE LIST.
>>>MassHistPres mailing list
>>>MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
>>>http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
>>>********************************
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 08:40:06 -0400
>> From: "James Hadley" <jameswhadley at hotmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Ownership of historic properties
>> To: "MHC listserve" <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>, "Terry McDermott"
>> <mcbeags at comcast.net>
>> Message-ID: <BAY114-DAV71BE2519A7A8F1134F2B4D5590 at phx.gbl>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>> reply-type=original
>>
>> The Town of Orleans owns Sea Call Farm, as part of land acquired for
>> conservation. A group was formed - the Sea Call Farm Supporters - to keep
>> it
>> up and develop a plan for re-use. Work proceeded slowly in this regard
>> and
>> the Conservation Commission wanted to tear it down. Town meeting turned
>> this
>> down. (Further it was listed on preservatiONMASS's 10 most endangered
>> list,
>> and named eligible for the NRHP.) The key to fixing it properly came
>> with
>> the Community Preservation Act acceptance by the Town. These funds have
>> been used successfully to move forward with restoration and
>> rehabilitation.
>> CAUTION - much damage can be done by well meaning volunteer effort, often
>> more than was ever done through neglect. Of this, most preservationists
>> have first hand experience. It is of absolute paramount importance that
>> the
>> first thing you do is develop a well researched plan for stabilization
>> (if
>> necessary) and restoration (plus re-use if this is what is finally
>> determined by your planning efforts.) Access to qualified professionals
>> is
>> available through preservatiON MASS's website.
>> good luck, James Hadley AIA, Chair - Orleans Historical Commission,
>> Pres.-
>> Orleans Historical Society.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Terry McDermott" <mcbeags at comcast.net>
>> To: "MHC listserve" <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
>> Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2007 11:07 PM
>> Subject: [MassHistPres] Ownership of historic properties
>>
>>
>>> As many of you may know, the town of Wilmington recently (October 2006)
>>> acquired the William Butters Farmhouse, a small First Period half house
>>> in
>>> Wilmington. I have corresponded with members of this list in the past
>>> and
>>> I always learn something interesting.
>>>
>>> My current question is this - does anyone know of any Massachusetts
>>> towns
>>> that have endeavored to own and rehabilitate historic residential
>>> property? It is agreed by all that the Butters house is in need of some
>>> serious preservation work. I know Chelmsford recently acquired and
>>> ultimately sold an historic property; I know Burlington owns and is
>>> still
>>> working on fundraising for the Grandview Farm, which I believe is large
>>> enough to ultimately serve as a function facility, should the rehab work
>>> be funded. (I also believe that Burlington is finding the whole rehab
>>> process to be difficult) But do any other towns own historic
>>> residential
>>> property? I've been trying to look into this issue and it appears to me
>>> that town's often end up offloading this type of property to a private
>>> society or foundation, which is, perhaps, better positioned to manage a
>>> preservation project. At the heart of the issue for us would be how do
>>> we
>>> best finance the necessary rehab work for the best, mo
>>> st historically sensitive outcome?
>>>
>>> A related question is - does anyone know of any towns that own historic
>>> property which is rented out to residential tenants?
>>>
>>> Any thoughts/experiences that anyone can share would be greatly
>>> appreciated.
>>>
>>> Thank you.
>>>
>>> Terry McDermott
>>> Curator
>>> Wilmington Town Museum at the
>>> Col. Joshua Harnden Tavern, c.1770
>>> 430 Salem Street
>>> Wilmington, MA 01887
>>> 978.658.5475
>>> htavern at townofwilmingtonma.com
>>> http://www.town.wilmington.ma.us/old/hist.htm
>>>
>>> The Wilmington Historical Commission can also be reached at the above
>>> addresses and phone number.
>>> ******************************
>>> For administrative questions regarding this list, please contact
>>> Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly. PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO THE
>>> WHOLE LIST.
>>> MassHistPres mailing list
>>> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
>>> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
>>> ********************************
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 06:54:13 -0700 (PDT)
>> From: Aaron Marcavitch <acornhp at yahoo.com>
>> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Ownership of historic properties
>> To: MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
>> Message-ID: <427598.76848.qm at web36802.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>>
>> Terry, two thoughts.
>>
>> First - a friends group will often be more flexibile in its ability to
>> raise funds.
>> Second - I would echo the thought that you need to make sure the plan is
>> ready to go before hand.
>> You don't want your DPW folks - as nice as they might be - tearing out
>> your plaster.
>>
>> On your other question:
>>
>>> A related question is - does anyone know of any towns that own historic
>>> property which is rented
>>> out to residential tenants?
>>
>> I know that the National Park Service does this for the C&O Canal in
>> Maryland. I don't know many
>> locally, but it can be done. You just need to make sure they are screened
>> well. I would even
>> consider using them for affordable housing - just make sure the renter
>> knows that for the first
>> six months there will be a monthly inspection. But for residential, you
>> have to make sure you do
>> lead abatement. (Its not as scary as you think.)
>>
>> Aaron
>> Nantucket, MA
>>
>> --------
>> http://www.marcavitch.com
>>
>>
>>
>> ____________________________________________________________________________________
>> Finding fabulous fares is fun.
>> Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and
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>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 09:56:58 -0400
>> From: Dennis De Witt <djdewitt at rcn.com>
>> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Ownership of historic properties
>> To: MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
>> Message-ID: <6680D1FE-F6F4-4EC6-8D9B-5D72B7435217 at rcn.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>>
>> The town of Brookline has 6 houses all listed on the NR (1
>> individually & 5 in districts) none of which exactly fit your example
>> but their histories may be of some use.
>>
>> The 18th C Edward Devotion house near Coolidge Corner was acquired by
>> the town semi-derelict about a century ago and was restored and
>> resituated in what is now the forecourt of the Devotion school. It
>> is operated as a house museum by the Town's Historical Society with a
>> curator's apt. on the upper floor.
>>
>> The mid-19th. C Kennard House was an urbane country estate house
>> whose property eventually became the Park School. The Town acquired
>> the site when the Park School moved ca. 1970. Eventually the Town
>> reused the site for its new Lincoln School (Graham Gund architect).
>> The carriage house was incorporated into the school as a cafeteria
>> and the house was turned over to the Brookline Music Schools, which
>> up to then had occupied space in various Brookline schools. The BMS
>> "rent" for the house was a) the cost of sensitively rehabbing it
>> (Gary Wolf architect -- It had suffered as a Park School building and
>> Gund's design had insensitively amputated a wing) and b) providing a
>> given amount of scholarship music lessons. Because of the size of
>> the mortgage the BMS undertook, there had to be a waver from the
>> state legislature to the usual 10 year cap on leases of town
>> buildings to private entities to allow for a longer lease term.
>>
>> Four houses were acquired ca. 1950 with the gift of the Larz Anderson
>> estate (Now Larz Andersen Park). There was also the estate mansion,
>> which the town almost immediately demolished. (A substantial faction
>> in town didn't even want to accept the estate and they were not going
>> to waste town money maintaining a "white elephant" mansion.) The
>> mansion-like carriage house was leased out to the Larz Anderson auto
>> museum in exchange for maintenance of the building -- and arrangement
>> which continues 50 years later.
>>
>> The oldest of the four Larz Andersen estate houses was the 18th. C
>> Window Harris house. Nominally, it had been put under the purview of
>> the Historical Society when the town acquired it but in reality the
>> town controlled it. (Ca. 1950 there was, of course, no Historical
>> Commission.). There were also two mid 19th. C houses. All three had
>> been on properties agglomerated to the estate by the Anderson or Weld
>> families.
>>
>> The fourth estate house, 29 Avon, was a sort of grand tile roofed
>> service-yard gate house built into the walls of the estate at about
>> the turn of the century. It is in the portion of the park that is in
>> Boston.
>>
>> Until the '80s and '90s (varying from house to house) the four houses
>> were occupied by town employees with varying effects.
>>
>> The two mid-19th. C houses were the first to have their use
>> reconsidered. After some rehabilitation work by the town, they were
>> made available for lease by non-profits who have been in them ever
>> since. One makes films. This seems to be a satisfactory arrangement.
>>
>> The Widow Harris house being the oldest and most fragile suffered
>> from casual repairs and abuse by a tenant's dog before finally being
>> vacated. An historic structures report was made and, based on that,
>> a North Bennett St. School class undertook significant structural and
>> other repairs -- doing excellent work. The house is now occupied by
>> a curator of the Larz Anderson Auto Museum and the Historical Society
>> is now actively involved in its oversight.
>>
>> 29 Avon was in the worse condition. The tenant family had moved out
>> because of serious neglect, including roofing failure. Unexpectedly,
>> a civic minded citizen, who with her son had some experience in
>> rehabilitation work on 19th. C houses, offered to rehab the house in
>> exchange for a de facto life tenure. (If she wasn't eligible for
>> Social Security when she undertook this formidable project, she was
>> close to it.) She did a wonderful job and is still living in the
>> house -- with town equipment stored in the service yard which it
>> helps enclose.
>>
>> Dennis De Witt
>>
>> On Apr 8, 2007, at 11:07 PM, Terry McDermott wrote:
>>
>>> As many of you may know, the town of Wilmington recently (October
>>> 2006) acquired the William Butters Farmhouse, a small First Period
>>> half house in Wilmington. I have corresponded with members of this
>>> list in the past and I always learn something interesting.
>>>
>>> My current question is this - does anyone know of any Massachusetts
>>> towns that have endeavored to own and rehabilitate historic
>>> residential property? It is agreed by all that the Butters house
>>> is in need of some serious preservation work. I know Chelmsford
>>> recently acquired and ultimately sold an historic property; I know
>>> Burlington owns and is still working on fundraising for the
>>> Grandview Farm, which I believe is large enough to ultimately serve
>>> as a function facility, should the rehab work be funded. (I also
>>> believe that Burlington is finding the whole rehab process to be
>>> difficult) But do any other towns own historic residential
>>> property? I've been trying to look into this issue and it appears
>>> to me that town's often end up offloading this type of property to
>>> a private society or foundation, which is, perhaps, better
>>> positioned to manage a preservation project. At the heart of the
>>> issue for us would be how do we best finance the necessary rehab
>>> work for the best, mo
>>> st historically sensitive outcome?
>>>
>>> A related question is - does anyone know of any towns that own
>>> historic property which is rented out to residential tenants?
>>>
>>> Any thoughts/experiences that anyone can share would be greatly
>>> appreciated.
>>>
>>> Thank you.
>>>
>>> Terry McDermott
>>> Curator
>>> Wilmington Town Museum at the
>>> Col. Joshua Harnden Tavern, c.1770
>>> 430 Salem Street
>>> Wilmington, MA 01887
>>> 978.658.5475
>>> htavern at townofwilmingtonma.com
>>> http://www.town.wilmington.ma.us/old/hist.htm
>>>
>>> The Wilmington Historical Commission can also be reached at the above
>>> addresses and phone number.
>>> ******************************
>>> For administrative questions regarding this list, please contact
>>> Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly. PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO
>>> THE WHOLE LIST.
>>> MassHistPres mailing list
>>> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
>>> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
>>> ********************************
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2007 11:01:25 -0400
>> From: Judy Markland <jmarkland at lmstrategies.com>
>> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Ownership of historic properties
>> To: "Terry McDermott" <mcbeags at comcast.net>, "MHC listserve"
>> <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
>> Message-ID: <6.1.2.0.2.20070409104434.021c7258 at localhost>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>>
>> Terry,
>> Weston also has an historic home that was acquired with conservation
>> land,
>> the Melone Homestead. It has been used to house employees of Land's
>> Sake,
>> a non-profit that maintains town trails and has land and farm-oriented
>> educational programs for children. It is within a National Register
>> district and is currently being rehabilitated with CPA funds to serve a
>> residential rental property.
>> We've found so far that the municipal process need not compromise the
>> goal
>> of historic preservation, but it is very cumbersome and complex and adds
>> to
>> the overall cost of restoration. Putting a preservation easement on the
>> property and turning it over to a non-profit would facilitate things
>> greatly.
>> If CPA funds are available, you might be able to get funding for both
>> preservation and affordable housing uses. Turning the building over to a
>> non-profit wouldn't affect eligibility for CPA funds if there were a
>> preservation easement in place.
>>
>> Judy Markland
>>
>>
>> At 11:07 PM 4/8/2007, Terry McDermott wrote:
>>>As many of you may know, the town of Wilmington recently (October 2006)
>>>acquired the William Butters Farmhouse, a small First Period half house
>>>in
>>>Wilmington. I have corresponded with members of this list in the past
>>>and
>>>I always learn something interesting.
>>>
>>>My current question is this - does anyone know of any Massachusetts towns
>>>that have endeavored to own and rehabilitate historic residential
>>>property? It is agreed by all that the Butters house is in need of some
>>>serious preservation work. I know Chelmsford recently acquired and
>>>ultimately sold an historic property; I know Burlington owns and is still
>>>working on fundraising for the Grandview Farm, which I believe is large
>>>enough to ultimately serve as a function facility, should the rehab work
>>>be funded. (I also believe that Burlington is finding the whole rehab
>>>process to be difficult) But do any other towns own historic residential
>>>property? I've been trying to look into this issue and it appears to me
>>>that town's often end up offloading this type of property to a private
>>>society or foundation, which is, perhaps, better positioned to manage a
>>>preservation project. At the heart of the issue for us would be how do
>>>we
>>>best finance the necessary rehab work for the best, mo
>>> st historically sensitive outcome?
>>>
>>>A related question is - does anyone know of any towns that own historic
>>>property which is rented out to residential tenants?
>>>
>>>Any thoughts/experiences that anyone can share would be greatly
>>>appreciated.
>>>
>>>Thank you.
>>>
>>>Terry McDermott
>>>Curator
>>>Wilmington Town Museum at the
>>>Col. Joshua Harnden Tavern, c.1770
>>>430 Salem Street
>>>Wilmington, MA 01887
>>>978.658.5475
>>>htavern at townofwilmingtonma.com
>>>http://www.town.wilmington.ma.us/old/hist.htm
>>>
>>>The Wilmington Historical Commission can also be reached at the above
>>> addresses and phone number.
>>>******************************
>>>For administrative questions regarding this list, please contact
>>>Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us directly. PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO THE
>>>WHOLE LIST.
>>>MassHistPres mailing list
>>>MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
>>>http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
>>>********************************
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> MassHistPres mailing list
>> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
>> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
>>
>>
>> End of MassHistPres Digest, Vol 14, Issue 6
>> *******************************************
>>
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