[MassHistPres] Use of town building for historic memorabilia

[Marge Ghilarducci]

Dear Mr. Temple,
Thank you so much for this information.

Presently, our selectmen will only grant a short term license to the Berkley Historical Society.  We were told that it takes a vote at town meeting to grant a long term lease.

Four years ago, with money raised and grants received, the Berkley Historical Society  took over our old (1849) town hall and renovated it (replacing fully rotten sills) to beautiful condition.  (Otherwise it would now have fallen to the ground) I also attained a $100,000 Preservation endowment grant so they have the money to maintain the building in perpetuity   So now independent and costing our taxpayers $0 dollars.  

At least one of the selectmen still thinks there could be multi use of this tiny hall that is now almost chock full of Berkley memorabilia.  From the information that I have received from the many responses, officials in other towns seem to have a bit more regard for their town’s collections and memorabilia.  

We plan to get an article on our Town Warrant for next June so that the town will vote at least a 30-year lease to the Historical Society.    I so appreciate your input

Marge Ghilarducci, Secretary, Berkley Historical Commission

> On Aug 27, 2020, at 10:17 PM, David Temple <davidftemple at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> The Medfield Historical Society rents its building for $1 from the town, but we pay all maintenance and repairs.  Located adjacent to the library, the building is officially the library annex. When the town library was built in 1917, the donor asked that the historical society be provided space in it. 
> 
> Our 100-year-old building was originally the Medfield Cooperative Bank. About 50 years ago the bank moved, and the town bought the building so the library could have more room. 
> 
> In your reply, please include my original message.
> 
> David F. Temple
> President, Medfield Historical Society
> https://medfieldhistoricalsociety.org/
> Chair, Medfield Historical Commission
> 300 South Street
> Medfield, MA 02052
> H-508-359-2915 M-508-613-6606
> 
> 
> On Thursday, August 27, 2020, 01:26:26 PM EDT, Liebowitz, Jonathan <jonathan_liebowitz at uml.edu> wrote:
> 
> 
> The Littleton Historical Society rents a town owned building (former library) for their headquarters, meeting place, museum, etc.  You might check with them about the arrangement they have with the Town.
> Jonathan Liebowitz
> Littleton Historical Commission
> 
> Jonathan J. Liebowitz
> History Department
> University of Massachusetts Lowell
> Lowell, MA  01854
> USA
> 978-934-2530
> From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> on behalf of Marge Ghilarducci <margecris at comcast.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2020 1:30 PM
> To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> Subject: [MassHistPres] Use of town building for historic memorabilia
>  
> This e-mail originated from outside the UMass Lowell network.
> Is there any Historical Society that uses a town building for their collection of historic memorabilia?  If so, what is your agreement with the town?  Are you issued a lease or a license? 
> Thank you
> Marge Ghilarducci
> Berkley, MA
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