[MassHistPres] 1730 Cape threatened in Sandwich - looking for buyer

[Diane Gilbert]

Greetings All,

As preservation-minded folks weigh in on the latest threatened [Cape in Sandwich] historic building, this presents an opportunity to gather ourselves for a day somewhere to discuss these horror stories but more importantly to compare notes and discuss ways we’ve each explored to battle against demolition of these significant houses. Demo delay is just one of our tools.  Some communities don’t have it, others want to improve it, and learn about other means to save and protect as the clock runs out. 

Many of us regret that we didn’t do more.  What does that look like.  We can learn from each other with guidance from MHC, Preservation Massachusetts, Historic New England, etc. 

Sarah Korjeff of the Cape Cod Commission and others who’ve weighed in might wish to explore the nuts and bolts and action plans that others have pursued to avoid the wrecking ball. Aside from Realtors, most engaged in this forum know that any house can be saved and preserved. It’s also a matter of not giving in or giving up so readily. 

I suggest a case study approach, panel discussions––session outline models that work.  I am happy and willing to help. 

Diane Gilbert


> On Jan 23, 2019, at 6:25 PM, Dennis De Witt <djd184 at verizon.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> Here is another unhappy example — and an object lesson.  In the early days of our demo delay, we collectively ignored a scruffy mansard, surrounding by automotive-body shop parking, while a largish condo building was going through Planning Board design review.  When the developer finally applied for a demo permit, we decided to just see what was inside — not expecting much.  Immediately we saw cased corner posts and knew we had dropped the ball.  As designed, the fully permitted condo project needed the parking spaces where the house stood and the Planning Board chair had a gut hostility to Preservation.  So we lost an 18th C. framed house with nogging that had been hiding in plain sight.
> 
> Dennis De Witt
> Brookline. 
> 
> <DSCN0388.jpeg>
> 
> 
> 
>> On Jan 23, 2019, at 1:27 PM, Roughan, Michael <Michael.Roughan at hdrinc.com <mailto:Michael.Roughan at hdrinc.com>> wrote:
>> 
>> Amanda,
>>  
>> Hopkinton had the same opinion of the 18th century “Toll House” that was demolished after a demo delay. The house appeared to have lost most of its character.
>> However, as it was being demolished it exposed its bones of fine pegged mortise and tenon timber framing To this day, my biggest regret as Chairman of the HHC is that I did not do more to protect a historically significant structure. Don’t make the same mistake in Sandwich.
>>  
>> <image003.jpg>
>>  
>>  
>> ….Mike
>>  
>> Michael Roughan, AIA, EDAC, LEED AP, ACHA
>> Chairman - Hopkinton Historical Commission
>>  
>> Town of Hopkinton
>> 18 Main Street
>> Hopkinton, MA 01748
>> 
>> D 617.357.7725 M 617.784.6463
>> 
>> 
>>  
>> From: MassHistPres [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu>] On Behalf Of Amanda Haines
>> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 11:42 AM
>> To: Sarah Korjeff <skorjeff at capecodcommission.org <mailto:skorjeff at capecodcommission.org>>; Diane Gilbert <d.m.gilbert at comcast.net <mailto:d.m.gilbert at comcast.net>>
>> Cc: MHC list <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>>
>> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] 1730 Cape threatened in Sandwich - looking for buyer
>>  
>> Hi all.  At least two of us on the Sandwich Historic Commission have toured this house (both of us are realtors), and I believe that the real estate agent also invited the Historic District Committee to take a look. Although I certainly defer to Sarah, the house is in terrible condition and thoroughly muddled on the inside.  Although we always hate to say "no" to saving any historic home, the interior appears to have been stripped of most, if not all, period details with the exception of some flooring and doors.  It is now at a point where it is prohibitively expensive to restore and again, I struggled to find much that could be saved even if a buyer had the very deep pockets that would be required. Sorry to be the bearer of such sad news.
>> 
>> Amanda Haines
>> Sandwich Historic Commission
>> 
>> Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/ghei36>
>>  
>> From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu>> on behalf of Diane Gilbert <d.m.gilbert at comcast.net <mailto:d.m.gilbert at comcast.net>>
>> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 10:46:04 AM
>> To: Sarah Korjeff
>> Cc: MHC list
>> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] 1730 Cape threatened in Sandwich - looking for buyer
>>  
>> Hi Sarah, 
>>  
>> WOW!  I would love to see this house. Any chance that we preservation-minded fanatics can tour this house?  I’m wondering how close it resembles our 1762 Akin House in Dartmouth.  It’s earlier but time and renovations on these early houses don’t stand still, frozen in time. 
>>  
>> Diane
>> President, Dartmouth Heritage Preservation Trust, Inc.
>> (508) 965-7265
>> www.dhpt.org <http://www.dhpt.org/>
>> 
>> 
>> On Jan 22, 2019, at 3:14 PM, Sarah Korjeff <skorjeff at capecodcommission.org <mailto:skorjeff at capecodcommission.org>> wrote:
>>  
>> <pastedImage.png>
>>  
>> Threatened circa 1730 full Cape in the town of Sandwich --  
>> This property is located at 25 Water Street within the Sandwich Old Kings Highway Historic District and a National Register Historic District, but it is threatened after being for sale for years without a buyer.  The house retains most of its original interior woodwork and detailing, though some is buried underneath 20th century renovations.  If you know anyone interested in restoring one of our few remaining 18th century Capes in a great location on a large lot with plenty of room for new additions or outbuildings, please contact real estate agent Greg Donahue, 508-942-6416 or Historic District Committee Chair Bill Collins at brisa at dslextreme.com <mailto:brisa at dslextreme.com>.
>>  
>> Sarah
>>  
>> Sarah Korjeff
>> Historic Preservation Specialist/Planner
>> Cape Cod Commission
>> 3225 Main Street/P.O. Box 226
>> Barnstable, MA  02630
>> 508-362-3828 (front desk)
>> 508-744-1215 (direct)
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