[MassHistPres] Civilian Quonset Hut

[Cindy Brockway]

Have you contacted the 1772 foundation?  They often fund 'out of the
mainstream' projects.  Though this year their focus seems to be on African
American sites, it may be of interest to them

 

Cindy Brockway

 

From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of cvwtc at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 4:45 PM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Civilian Quonset Hut

 

Due to the severe housing shortage right after World War II, veterans and
their families were often placed in make-shift veteran villages that were
constructed out of nothing but Quonset huts.  Beverly, MA had three of these
temporary veteran villages.

All of the civilian Quonset huts were thought to have been lost but in 2009,
local historian Richard Symmes, found a well-preserved former Beverly
Quonset hut that had been moved to the nearby town of Hamilton in the 1950s.
The story was featured on the front page of the Nov. 10th edition of The
Salem News.

http://salemnews.com/punews/local_story_313204809.html/resources_etp_mobile_
story

As stated in the article, this structure is probably the finest and the last
example of a civilian Quonset hut since this "temporary" structure continued
to be lived in for over 50 years.  The Seabee Museum in Davisville, RI would
like to add it to their collection of military huts but they do not have the
funds (about $15,000 by one estimate) to move the structure.  Sadly, the
land the hut is sitting on has be sold for redevelopment and if swift action
isn't taken, this very historic structure will be demolished and thrown in a
dumpster like yesterday's trash.

The building tells the story of not just our local World War II veterans but
the country's veterans in general since these Quonset hut villages were once
part of our country's post-war landscape.  While efforts to raise awareness
were very successful, it did not translate into the necessary financial
support to save this building.  The rescue of such a rare and historic
structure would be a highly visible endeavor and the PR value alone would be
huge but more than a few potential local corporate sponsors have stated they
did not see the value of donating money just to have the hut moved out of
state.  This attitude is very short-sighted because the Seabee Museum is
probably the best place this Quonset hut could go since these structures
were designed and built at Quonset Point.

Assistance or advice regarding this preservation dilemma is both urgently
needed and greatly appreciated.

Matt Pujo  978-927-3017

Richard Symmes  978-927-2701

cvwtc at aol.com 

 

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