[MassHistPres] Alternate uses for Town-Owned Historic Homes

[Tucker, Jonathan]

The Norwell Historical Commission should sit down with the Norwell
Conservation Commission and other interested parties, and see if there
isn't an active public use of the historic home that couldn't serve both
public purposes-maybe an environmental center that also tells the story
of the history of the house and its land.   You've got the house, the
land, and the riverfront.  There's a compelling shared story there.
Perhaps one of the larger environmental organizations would be willing
to enter into a long-term lease of the property that met the needs of
the Historical Commission.  You could use CPA funds to cover some of the
costs of sensitively rehabilitating the house (or portions thereof-the
rest could remain a restored museum) to help them meet codes and
withstand public use.  All of this would mean more intense public use of
the building and the conservation land and river access, but why else
have you preserved it if not for the public to see it, and learn?

 

The Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton is owned and operated by
Massachusetts Audubon.  It sits on several hundred acres next to the
Oxbow (Connecticut River), and located is several miles in from any
major road.  The driveway in--a colonial-era north-south coach
road--runs right through it.  A 19th century farmhouse on the property
is used by staff and for public presentations, and a couple of separate,
new structures serve as education centers.  The programs tell both the
environmental story of the land and its history.  It might serve as a
useful model.

 

Good luck,

 

Jonathan Tucker

Planning Director

Amherst Planning Department

4 Boltwood Avenue, Town Hall

Amherst, MA  01002

(413) 259-3040

tuckerj at amherstma.gov 

 

From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Wendy Bawabe
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 9:44 AM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Alternate uses for Town-Owned Historic Homes

 

The Norwell Historical Commission is looking for alternate use
suggestions for one of its town-owned historic homes.  The home is down
a little-used dirt road that parallels Route 3.  It is set on 3 acres
that abut the North River and is surrounded by about 100 acres of
conservation land.

 

There has been support for selling the property, but that would come
with a number of restrictions as the Norwell Historical Commission is
required to preserve and protect the site.  A committee has been formed
to investigate alternate uses that would keep it town-owned.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for similar town-owned remote
properties?

 

We appreciate any and all suggestions,

 

Wendy Bawabe

Norwell Historical Commission

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