[MassHistPres] cobbler's shop

[Chris Skelly]

Jane, 

 

Is the town interested in maintaining and managing this building as a
museum?  Or is another municipal re-use anticipated? 

 

If a museum is planned, a non-profit organization, such as a local
historical society, would typically be in a better position to manage this
property.  This is especially true for fundraising.   

 

I'd be concerned that this is a very large undertaking for a local
historical commission.  MHC encourages local historical commissions to avoid
managing historical properties as it can lessen the commission's focus on
community-wide historic preservation planning.  That is a big enough task as
it is!  By the way, congratulations on the demolition delay bylaw passage.  

 

It sounds like a very interesting building.  Has it already been surveyed on
an MHC inventory form?  If not, that would be a good place to start as well.
Chris.

Christopher C. Skelly 
Director of Local Government Programs 
Massachusetts Historical Commission  
220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125 
Ph: (617) 727-8470 / Fax: (617) 727-5128  
Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us 
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcidx.htm 
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-----Original Message-----
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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