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The incredible interior of Southbridge’s Notre Dame Church. The church was listed on the 2010 Most Endangered Historic Resources List with 3 other Central Mass properties.

Endangered icons: Southbridge church among threatened area structures

By Bronislaus B. Kush|Worcester Telegram & Gazette| September 30, 2010

Boston — Notre Dame Church in Southbridge, which may be shuttered as part of the reorganization plan by the Diocese of Worcester to cope with the dwindling number of priests, is one of four Central Massachusetts landmarks that have been placed on Preservation Massachusetts’ 2010 Most Endangered Historic Resources list.

The others are the Odd Fellows Home in Worcester’s Greendale section, which may be razed for a housing development; the Oakham West School in Oakham; and the Rev. Abiel “Priest” Williams House in Dudley.

Preservation Massachusetts has put out an annual list for 17 years. The 10 structures listed have been judged by the nonprofit advocacy group as being historically significant, but threatened with demolition or neglect.

In May, chancery officials merged Notre Dame’s congregation with that of nearby Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.

Notre Dame parishioners fear that their cathedral-like church, which was built in 1912…

For the full article, click here.

It looks as though the end is near for the Priest Williams House at 69 Dudley-Oxford Road in Dudley. This circa 1780 Federal-style house was the residence of Abiel “Priest” Williams, who was a minister in Dudley for 32 years. According to the Historical Commission, this wood-frame house was “once one of the most magnificent dwellings in Federalist Dudley.” The home had been vacant and neglected for nearly a decade before the present owners purchased it last October for $40,000. The new owners applied for a demolition permit, triggering Dudley’s demolition delay ordinance.

After inspecting the house with Circuit Rider Michele Barker last November, Historical Commissioners Ed Bazinet and Michael Braniff concluded that the house was remarkably sound, despite years of neglect. Mr. Bazinet and Mr. Braniff found the massive stone foundation and central chimney base one of the most impressive they’ve seen in town, and noted that much of the original interior trim remains intact. Even some of the original 12-over-12 windows have survived. The Historical Commission invoked a 12-month demolition delay in November 2009.

Since then, Dudley’s Historical Commission has been working tirelessly to find solutions for the Williams House before the clock runs out. Preservation Massachusetts listed it as one of the state’s Most Endangered Resources this past fall, in the hopes that the publicity might attract a new owner. The listing did bring the house to the attention of a potential buyer interested in relocating the building, but unfortunately, the cost of the project exceeded his budget.

The demolition delay expired last November. The owners are willing to sell the house for $1 to anyone who will relocate it, but unless a white-hat rescuer appears on the scene, it looks as though the Williams House will be gone as soon as the weather permits.

If there are any last-minute rescuers out there, please contact Ed Bazinet or Michael Braniff of the Dudley Historical Commission at 508-949-8004

Click here to read a Worcester Telegram-Gazette article about the house.

Find more photos of the Priest Williams House on Preservation Massachusetts’ Flickr site

The Pawtucket Dam is one of PM’s 2010 Massachusetts Most Endangered Historic Resources

Damned if they do?

By Jennifer Myers|The Lowell Sun| September 25, 2010

Lowell — The push is on at the local and federal level to preserve the historic integrity of the structure that kick-started America’s Industrial Revolution — the Pawtucket Dam.

In the waning hours of the Federal Energy Regulation Commission’s (FERC) public comment period regarding Enel North America’s controversial proposal to replace the flashboards at the dam with a pneumatic crest-gate system, Preservation Massachusetts took action to name the dam to its list of the state’s Most Endangered Historic Resources. That same day, the U.S. Department of the Interior filed its opposition and a notice to intervene in FERC’s proceedings on behalf of the National Park Service…

For the full article, click here.

A tour guide to dark places, their people long vanished

By Emily Sweeney|The Boston Globe| November 7, 2010

Massachusetts — Jason Baker likes taking pictures of abandoned buildings, inside and out.

Armed with his trusty flashlight and camera, Baker recently visited the long-shuttered Lakeville State Hospital, where he captured haunting images of empty hallways and dilapidated examination rooms.

The 29-year-old calls himself an “urban ruins photographer,’’ and his passion for documenting decaying places has brought him into the darkened corridors of insane asylums, closed schools, and other deserted institutions.

Baker just published his third book, “Abandoned 2,’’ which features his photographs accompanied by a collection of short horror stories. He will be showing some of his work at Gallery X in New Bedford this month.

Baker, a Marlborough native who now lives in Malden…

For the full article, click here.

To view the photo gallery of abandoned buildings in Massachusetts, click here.

25-27 Elliot Street was listed on Preservation Massachusetts’ Most Endangered list for 2010

Historic House on Elliot Street in Springfield deserves reprieve

Editorial| Springfield Republican| September 15, 2010

Springfield — Now it’s time for the heavy lifting. Preservation Massachusetts has placed the nearly 140-year-old building at 25-27 Elliot St. in Springfield on its list of the state’s most endangered historic sites.

City officials and preservationists have fought for more than two years to save the fire-damaged, red-brick structure built in 1872.

The building is under the control of a court-appointed receiver, but its owner wants to knock it down, saying renovations would be too costly. Estimates to rehabilitate the house…

For the full article, click here.