[MassHistPres] Possible Historic House Purchase in Randolph

[Henry Cooke]

Chris and all,

The Randolph Historical Commission was contacted last week on a bank 
forclosure sale of the oldest house in Randolph, constructed in 1726. 
It is a center chimney cape, with original features from the initial 
construction and two sugsequent additions/renovations in 1778 and 
c1830. The house was purchased about four years ago by a local 
builder who balked at the cost of upgrades, and essentially sat on 
the house, perhaps hoping to have it deteriorate to the point where 
it would need to be torn down.  It has some condition concerns, like 
some rot in the north wall that is causing some sidewall buckling and 
floor support deterioration,  but much could be stabilized with the 
replacement of the existing shingles  and repairs to parts of the 
roof that have deteriorated from lack of maintenance.

Realtor handling the sale it trying to work with us to insure it 
either goes to someone who will restore it or to the Town of 
Randolph. There is possibility that the bank may write it off to the 
Town, but we can't assume that will happen. Realtor is an old house 
buff, who is concerned that the house will be purchased by a builder 
who will buy it to tear down. Because the realtor is handling the 
sale for the bank. I would imagine there are limits to what he can do 
to make sure it goes to the "right" buyer.

The Commission will be meeting this evening to visit the house and 
discuss possibility of application for CPA funds to purchase the 
property.  If the Commission gets the house, we would still have to 
stabilize it, and restore it, and would have to find funding for that 
as well.  If all this came to pass, our goal would be to eventually 
rent the house to a tenant who could maintain the house and carry out 
part of the restoration work, and open it periodically for historical 
tours. Unfortunately, the Historical Society does not have deep 
pockets either. If we were successful in getting CPA funding, could 
this be used as a match for an MPPF grant application, or National 
Trust administered grant?

In looking at all our options, are there other resources that are 
available to commissions without a lengthy application 
process?  Looking longer term, what other grants are available for 
restoration besides those offered by National Trust and MHC?

We would appreciate any advice or suggestions from those who have 
been down this path.

Thanks
Henry Cooke
Chairman,
Randolph Historical Commission 
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