[MassHistPres] cobbler's shop

[Jack Authelet]

Jane,

 

You have already made one major decision that is very much in your favor,
and that is to ask for help and suggestions when in unfamiliar territory.

 

My humble suggestion, which has worked many times over, would be to:

1.       Do you research. When was it built, by whom, anything you can find
to build a case for saving the structure.

2.       Bring the public on board. Use your local media, web page, whatever
means you  have to share the story, publish photographs, build the case for
preservation.

3.       Establish ownership (municipal or a non-profit group) for tax
purposes.

4.       If the structure is eligible for National Register listing, it
might quality for matching funds.

5.       Invite local contractors - those with expertise - to join you in
your project, giving them recognition for donated time and labor.

6.       Set up a special fund to which the public can donate, make memorial
gifts, whatever.

7.       Establish an end use for the structure when the restoration is
complete.

 

I believe your chances for success improve each time you are able to broaden
the base of people willing to 'buy' into the project with their time,
talent, donations, whatever.

You can make this work.

 

Jack Authelet

Foxborough Town Historian

 

From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Jane Lowell
Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 10:36 PM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] cobbler's shop

 

The Town of Mendon was deeded a Cobbler's Shop by a 40 B developer.  It was
built c. 1850 and the Mendon Historical Commission would like to restore it.
The roof needs shingling, although no daylight can be seen, there are panes
missing from the windows and there is a slight amount of rot on the floor
boards, a couple of rafters, and one sill. It is a two story structure
consisting of the main shop and two rooms with dirt floors below.  The floor
joists seem ok.  All of us on the Historical Commission are new at this.  Of
course funding is almost nonexistant.  Does anyone have suggestions on how
to proceed?  We really don't want to make any grave errors.  Regards, Jane
Lowell, Mendon Historical Commissioner      

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