[MassHistPres] Mass Audubon demolishes 1696 house in Natick

[sally milne]

The tool boxes for Housing and environmental impacts are full. And additional tools for Historic Preservation/Historic commissions is needed because often we are trumped by the other categories. It’s out of balance.  Definitely time for having state level discussions. 

Sally Urbano
Harwich 
Captains’ Row
iindividually

> On Mar 4, 2025, at 9:15 AM, jlennerton at aol.com wrote:
> 
> I really can't help but wonder how communities feel about additional legislation or changes to current laws.. 
> 
> In the case of my community, we have an unusual situation where the selectboard has circumvented & ignored the historical commission and allowed the local private historical society to more or less replace the commission on a local project involving municipally owned property. 
> The commission tried to discuss MGL40-8d and particulars of the project with the selectboard, but to no avail and really, no response.
> I have had conversations with some good people both at the MHC and the state attorney generals office, but the bottom line is that the current law is somewhat vague in intent and has no recourse for enforcement. 
> 
> I do not mean to steer the topic too far away from the events in Natick; but again, I can't help but wonder if there would ever be a future possibility to having a state level discussion about the needs & experiences of communities to look at potential changes/additions to state legislation.
> 
> Respectfully
> Joseph Lennerton, Chair
> Leicester Historical Commission
> 
> On Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 08:26:24 AM EST, cvwtc--- via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:
> 
> 
> I highly doubt you will see stronger protections from the state anytime soon.  The housing crisis is taking center stage.  It seems like the instant history stands in the way of anything, preservationists keep having to fight the same old battles about progress they fought decades ago.  And younger generations don't care as much about history.  By the time we educate the masses on the importance of preservation, so much more will be lost including things that were preserved but have fallen into complete disrepair.
> 
> Matt Pujo
> No Country For Old Buildings
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Monday, March 3, 2025 at 04:34:43 PM EST, David Feigenbaum via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:
> 
> 
> Stronger state legislation would be a highly effective avenue. Is there an advocate on Beacon Hill for legislation to preserve buildings that are historic resources of towns?
> 
> David Feigenbaum
> Winchester resident
> 
> 
> On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM sally milne via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>> wrote:
> Thank you Dennis and Michael for sharing. so sad. i feel as if we continue to lose so many
> important assets. we need more tools /legislation from the State law makers. . i think anyway , something must change.
> 
> Sally Urbano
> Harwich
> imdividually
> On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 10:24 AM Steinitz, Michael @ SEC via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>> wrote:
> 
> 
> Some time ago I reached out to the Natick Audubon contact person, Aaron Gouveia, to offer a second opinion to their structural engineer who deemed the house a total loss. My co-instructor at North Bennet, Michael Burrey and I were willing to visit the site to determine if the Sawin House might be a good candidate for students of the Preservation Carpentry program be involved.  Our offer was rejected.
> Dennis De Witt's interpretation of purposeful neglect leading to the inevitable may be spot on.
> As far as describing Mass Audubon as "esteemed", my personal experience dealing with a manager at the Canton, MA Bird Art site a few years ago left me with a less than stellar opinion when they chose to demolish an art installation made by the deceased donor of the 120 acre estate.  Mildred Morse Allen was an artist and documentary maker who left this amazing gift to the Audubon Soc only to have an amazing, custom fabricated,  faux motor yacht room pulled out and her floor to ceiling seascape artwork destroyed. 
> 
> Steven O'Shaughnessy
> Dept. Head - Preservation Carpentry
> North Bennet Street School
> Boston
> 
> --
> Steven O'Shaughnessy
> Dept. Head  - Preservation Carpentry
> North Bennet Street School, 150 North Street | 617 227 0155 <> *270
> 
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