[MassHistPres] RFP for a historic house in Leicester

[jlennerton at aol.com]

The Leicester Historical Commission is seeking assistance inwhat we are calling an “unofficial Request for Proposals” 

The town owns a 2 story dwelling house constructed in 1834 by Rev. SamuelMay, Jr. who lived in the house for his entire life. Rev. May was the Secretaryof the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, which of course was founded by his friendand fellow abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison. 
The house is a documented site on the Underground Railroadand we have the names of some of the fugitive slaves who stayed there. May’s distantcousin Louisa May Alcott also lived at this house for a short period of time actingas a servant to the family. 
There are other great stories about May and the house, buthere is our dilemma:
The town acquired the house after it purchased the entire LeicesterCampus of the former Becker College (I’ve posted in the group a few times with questionssince the town has done this) Although we are working on preservation measures for the other historic homes that will be sold, the town wants to retainownership of this one house, which is logistically easy since it is the only acquiredthat is on the north side of Main Street next to the town common. 

We’d like to ask if there is any person or organization outthere that is interested in doing anything with the house to please contact us.If you know of some organizations we could reach out to, that would beextremely helpful as well. 

At this point the town would entertain any kind of offer todo anything to preserve the house whether it be museum space (though therealready is a town museum), pirate or commercial offices, business, etc. 
Thank you in advance,Joe LennertonLeicester Historical Commission
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