Properties in communities struck by Massachusetts tornadoes named to state list of ‘most endangered’ historic resources

By Peter Goonan|Springfield Republican|October 4, 2011

Multiple private and public properties in Springfield, Brimfield, Wilbraham and Monson that were damaged in the June 1 tornadoes have been named to a statewide list of the “most endangered” historic resources in Massachusetts.

Preservation Massachusetts, a statewide historic preservation organization, recently announced its “most endangered” list for 2011, which include Springfield sites such as the Howard Street Armory, the Howard Street School, the former MacDuffie School Campus and the Six Corners neighborhood.

The list also includes downtown Monson and the Monson Town Office building, the Springfield Boys Club Camp in Brimfield, and the Adams Cemetery in Wilbraham.

Preservation Massachusetts has been compiling its annual “most endangered” list for 18 years but decided to focus its attention this year…

To read the full article click here.

Springfield, the City of Homes, in danger of losing that status

By Republican Editorials |Springfield Republican| August 3, 2011

For nearly a century, Springfield has proudly touted its reputation as the City of Homes.

But it’s not a name the U.S. Census Bureau might attach to the Bay State’s third-largest city after a decade of rising housing foreclosures made worse by an unrelenting recession.

According to the latest census date, the number of vacant homes in Springfield rose to 4,954 in 2010 – up 22 percent from 2000. The figure includes single-family homes, condominiums and apartments.

The numbers are alarming enough, but they don’t reflect the number of homes and apartments lost in the June 1 tornado. Some 220 tornado-damaged structures, including 179 single-family homes, have been condemned, meaning they are unsafe for living.

What the city is facing is a perfect storm of a housing crisis. Springfield is not unique among older New England cities. Vacancies are also rising in Worcester,

To read the full article click here

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Preservation Massachusetts’ 2011 Most Endangered Historic Resources Program
Special Edition: Tornado Damaged Communities of Western Massachusetts

2011 Most Endangered Nomination Form

The Most Endangered Historic Resources List for 2011 will be a Special Edition focusing only on the communities of Western Massachusetts hit by the damaging June 1st tornadoes and storms. For this reason Preservation Massachusetts will only accept nominations from the Western Massachusetts areas negatively affected by the storms:

Agawam, Brimfield, Monson, Springfield, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Westfield, West Springfield, and Wilbraham.

PM feels strongly that in order to continue our commitment to the needs of the western Massachusetts constituency, it is imperative to keep the spotlight on the areas devastated by this spring’s natural disaster. PM’s Most Endangered Historic Resources List will be an opportunity for continued advocacy and education about preservation in these communities as they begin to rebuild and restore.

This year’s form has been modified for ease of use and time efficiency. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Courtney Whelan via email at cwhelan@preservationmass.org or in the office at 617-723-3383.

Please download the nomination form and have an electronic and physical copy to Preservation Massachusetts by close of business Friday, August 5th.

Should you need a nomination form printed and mailed to you please contact PM’s office.

Preservation Massachusetts
Old City Hall
45 School Street
Boston, MA 02108
Re: MER 2011

617-723-3383
cwhelan@preservationmass.org

A recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Virginia threatens to decrease the value of state historic tax credits, and undermines the financing of landmark historic preservation projects nationwide. Now, with the future of state historic tax credits—in Virginia and elsewhere—at stake, the National Trust for Historic Preservation is joining its preservation partners in the Fourth Circuit and nationwide in calling for the Court of Appeals to reconsider this ruling.

Learn more about the Virginia ruling on Preservation Nation and read the National Trust’s response.

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