Town of Randolph
Historical Commission
Annual Report for 2009
The Historical Commission has concluded a very busy and eventful year:
Return to Stetson Hall: After an absence of more than a year and a half, the Commission was again able to meet again in Stetson Hall, and have made arrangements with the Stetson Trustees to bring our office back to the building. We look forward to moving the town’s historical resources back to Stetson Hall, and develop a data base and finding aids to permit these collections to become more accessible to researchers.
Royal Stetson House Acquisition: In early April the Commission was contacted by a local realtor acting on behalf of Wells Fargo Bank in the liquidation of the foreclosed property at 660 North Street. This property, the Amos Stetson/Royal Stetson house, built in 1726 and the town’s oldest home, had been under watch by the Commission since its purchase by a local builder in 2006, which had been allowed to deteriorate through neglect over the intervening years. The Commissioners toured the house a few days later and determined that it still had many of its historical and architectural character defining features, and that we should do what we could to save it. Within the week, the Commission prepared an application for CPA funding. After learning from the Commission about the house’s history, the bank
decided to donate the house to the Town, which gift was accepted by Town Meeting in June. At the same time CPA funding for the development of plans for the preservation and repair of the house, and the repair of the roof was approved by Town Meeting, subject to receipt of clear title to the property. In late September, the Selectmen voted their acceptance of the gift, permitting the Commission to commence work on a Request for Proposals for Designer Services. After some further delays, the RFP was finally issued in December, and in early January six architects and designers had submitted proposals for the Commission’s review. Once preliminary plans are developed, the roof repair project will be carried out, and additional grant and other funding sources will be sought for the repair and restoration of the rest of the house.
The Commission is exploring three potential re-use models:
- Resale of the house as a private residence with preservation restrictions to preserve the town’s investment;
- Contracting with a curatorial tenant, exchanging restoration services for tenancy in the house.
- Restoration of the house and management by a public/private partnership as a town historical museum and historical laboratory
Cell Site Review: During the first months of 2009, the Commission met with EBI Consulting relative to a proposed gas pipeline project and provided comment as part to the federally mandated review of the impact of the project on community cultural resources. Similar “Chapter 106 Reviews” were also conducted for several proposed cellular communications sites across the town. We were also contacted relative to the reconstruction of the horse bridge over Route 24.
Demolition Review: The construction slowdown of the current economic climate resulted in virtually no requests for demolition review. The coming year will find the Commission reviewing a proposed demolition on North Main Street to make way for access to the Powers Farm Recreational Area, which was purchased by the Town during the past summer.
Gains and Losses: This year the Commission welcomed our newest members, Lesly Freed and Susan Ryan, who helped to bring the Commission back to full working strength, something that has not been possible for nearly two years. Unfortunately, member Stephanie Schneider stepped down after serving with us for three years. We wish her the best in her new community of Bolton.
The Commission looks forward to working in the coming year with the Town Manager and Town Council on matters pertinent to historic preservation in the town, particularly the repair and restoration of the Royal Stetson House.
Respectfully Submitted
Henry M. Cooke IV
Chairman
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