[MassHistPres] House in Westport in Need of Rescue - revised

[Anne Forbes]

Jane,
I'm sticking my neck out here, but I was struck by the features in the photos that point to a Federal period date for this house, rather than 1850s.  While the full-length sidelights are likely to be 1850s, the fireplace surround, the stairway detailing, the proportion of panels and latch of the interior door, as well as the 6-panel front door (if it's not a later reproduction - it was hard to see in the photo), all signal 1800-1825 to me.  

If a case could be made for the building being decades earlier than is generally believed, with so many intact features, it might help the WHC's arguments and make the house more attractive to buyers.

What do others on the list-serve think?

Anne Forbes,
Acton
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jane Loos 
  To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 11:53 AM
  Subject: [MassHistPres] House in Westport in Need of Rescue - revised


  This email is sent to request advice and hopefully introductions to businesses or private people who may be interested in a handsome 1850's house on the Historic Inventory of  Westport, Massachusetts. The Westport Historical Commission (WHC) invoked a delay in its proposed demolition.  


  The property is located at 98 Horseneck Road, Westport MA.  One of the architects formerly on WHC visited the site and made the following comments-- "It is a charming house and could be restored. Despite the neglected condition of the house, the frame appears to be in good shape. "


  Recent photos attached.


  Many thanks   Jane Loos, WHC Secretary   


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