[MassHistPres] Poor Farms and Historic Buildings

[Tucker, Jonathan]

Amherst's Poor Farm is just off our South Amherst common.  The cluster
of farm buildings are in private hands, but the bulk of its farmland is
either owned by the Town or is APR'd and in private hands.  The original
farmhouse lot is owned by an absentee landlord (in California) and is
rented out to college students.  The original farmhouse was rebuilt in
the late 1800s (after having been burned down by a disturbed resident)
to function more as the boarding house it was, so student occupancy does
not do it much damage.  There is an existing early 19th century
barn/stable near the house, and it had survived (for now) an attempt at
demolition by its absentee owners, which our Historical Commission
fended off using our demolition delay bylaw.  I suspect the owners are
now waiting for the old barn to come down of its own accord, which parts
of it are trying to do.  The remaining farm outbuildings are from the
20th century and include a large dairy barn.

 

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
Dcolebslade at aol.com
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 9:07 PM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Poor Farms and Historic Buildings

 

Westport has its Poor Farm historic buildings and land still intact and
owned by the Town.  It is now leased by the Trustees of Reservation.

 

Are there other Poor Farms in the state with historic buildings and/or
land still intact?

 

Thank you.

 

Betty Slade

Westport

 

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