[MassHistPres] Proposed Demolition of Historic Hospital

[Lilith Wolinsky]



Hello!

My name is Lilith Wolinsky and I live in the tiny village of Montague City, in the Town of Montague, in Franklin County, MA.

I am writing seeking resources, and assistance in an attempt to preserve the historic Farren Hospital, which is in near-imminent danger of being demolished.  Because the Farren is situated in a village which has been neglected for many decades, neither it, nor the village, are listed on any historic register (though, from my perspective, both should be).

The current owners of the buildings, a large national corporation, Trinity Health, promised the community that they would do a redevelopment study when they closed the facility in April, 2021 (it had been used as a nursing home for 20+ years), but have now decided that the "facility assessment" they conducted instead, is "proprietary" and that there are "liability issues" which preclude disclosure.  Instead, with very little substantiating data, and without consideration of preserving the older of the two buildings, they are recommending demolition on an expedited timeline, and local town leadership seems predominantly disinclined to put up much of a stink.

I will be pursing assistance from Preservation Massachusetts, but wanted to reach out to this group, as well.

If anyone knows of other historic hospitals which have been redeveloped, or has other resources which, or whom, might help the preservation-minded in my community keep ahold of this building, I would be thrilled to hear from you!

Thank you for considering,

~Lilith
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