[MassHistPres] H. H. Richardson Browne House, Marion, threatened with Demolition

[Dennis De Witt]

All — and particularly anyone with a possible link with Tabor Academy 

We have just learned that H.H. Richardson’s important 1881 Browne House, in Marion, is threatened with demolition by Tabor Academy.  

They want to enlarge a nearby building and, by way of justification, claim the Browne House was in extremely poor condition when they bought it in 2008.  However, the excellent JSAH article (attached below, which I highly recommend) says it was in “excellent condition” in 2005.  (Such a deterioration justification from an owner, inevitably brings to mind the person who, having "done in" his parents, throws himself on the mercy of the court as an “orphan.”) 

Also, see the letter below from Pauline Saliga, Executive Director of the Society of Architectural Historians.  It has two links to recent news accounts of the issue and suggests addresses where letters can be addressed.  

Suggestions to me or to the listserve for other useful message recipients would be welcomed. 

Thanks


Dennis De Witt, Preservation Officer, 
Society of Architectural Historians / New England Chapter




Dear SAH Members,

Yesterday we learned that the H. H. Richardson-designed Percy Browne House in Marion, MA, is in danger of demolition.   SAH’s Heritage Conservation Committee is preparing a letter in support of saving/restoring the house, but those familiar with this preservation issue asked that we share the following articles and contacts so individual SAH members and others may also write in support of saving the building.

Here are links to published reports about the house:

https://sippican.theweektoday.com/article/tabor-academy-will-demolish-historic-house/44266 <https://sippican.theweektoday.com/article/tabor-academy-will-demolish-historic-house/44266>

https://marion.wickedlocal.com/news/20191009/tabor-academy-shares-decision-to-remove-tenbrook-house-in-marion <https://marion.wickedlocal.com/news/20191009/tabor-academy-shares-decision-to-remove-tenbrook-house-in-marion>

The key individuals to whom letters should be addressed are:

Mr. John H. Quirk, Head of School
and
Mr. Carmine A. Martignetti, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Tabor Academy
66 Spring Street, Marion MA 02738
508-748-2000
Jquirk at taboracademy.org <mailto:Jquirk at taboracademy.org><mailto:Jquirk at taboracademy.org <mailto:Jquirk at taboracademy.org>>

Thank you and best wishes,

Pauline Saliga

Pauline Saliga, Executive Director, FSAH
Society of Architectural Historians and
Charnley-Persky House Museum Foundation
1365 N. Astor Street  Chicago, IL 60610-2144
O: 312.573.1365 |  C: 312.543.1365 | E: psaliga at sah.org <mailto:psaliga at sah.org><mailto:psaliga at sah.org <mailto:psaliga at sah.org>> | SKYPE:  pauline.saliga
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