Minutes of the Princeton Historical Commission
November 21, 2013
Town Hall Annex, 7 PM
Attendees: Joyce Anderson, Sheila Dubman, Alex Fiandaca, Joe Lee and Matt Lindberg.
Members unanimously accepted meeting minutes from October 17, 2013.
Smith Farm also known as Fieldstone Farm
The barn at Smith Farm has been demolished. Prior to demolition Sheila spoke with Jamie Smith at length about the condition of the barn and the family’s desire to keep the property intact upon selling. Sheila offered the Commission’s assistance and signed the demolition permit on October 31. Mr. Smith was agreeable to the Commission taking photographs of the barn prior to demolition and Alex did so on Nov 3rd. Princeton Land Trust and DCR are two of the parties involved in preserving the property as much as possible. It was suggested that the Commission contact these groups to express our support and willingness to help.
Redemption Rock Road Marker
Sheila reported that she mailed letters of thanks to Worcester Technical High School teachers Rick Torres and Larry Collins. Phyllis’ article about the project appeared in today’s Landmark. Joyce will contact the Mass Historic Listserv with the article and Phyllis’ photo of the restored marker superimposed over a photo of Redemption Rock, pending Phyllis’ approval. Members discussed the next step of creating a plaque or certificate of appreciation to be matted and framed. It was suggested that the Commission contact the teachers before creating the plaque to see if they think it is appropriate. Sheila will ask Mickey to touch base with the teachers.
Historic House Plaques
Alex delivered Glennie Eden-Kilgour’s house plaque on November 3rd and submitted payment to the Town Treasurer. Sheila received a bill from Robert Leonard of Ould Colony Artisans for $67.50 which reflects a slight increase in the price of the plaques since the program began in 2007. Joyce reported that Preservation Worcester charges $225 for a metal house plaque, which includes all research and a $40 Preservation Worcester membership. For existing members, the cost is $185. According to Preservation Worcester’s website, the criteria for a plaque are based on the property’s adherence to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The Commission will further define criteria going forward but for now, will consider an age limit of 75 years
instead of 50 years.
Member revisited the idea of holding a training session for home owners to conduct their own research. It was suggested that this might actually discourage interest. It was also suggested that if the training be presented as an educational opportunity independent from the plaque program.
Minutes of the Princeton Historical Commission
November 21, 2013
Town Hall Annex, 7 PM
Historic House Plaques continued
Joyce offered to contact Preservation Worcester in an effort to find a researcher willing to lead such a discussion. It was also suggested that we involve a 3rd party researcher like Harvey Schmidt in this next phase of the house plaque program. Harvey assisted the Commission in phase one of the program and in phase two, conducted the research independently.
Mechanics Hall
Alex reported that an engineering study conducted by three WPI seniors is underway. The students will examine a variety of parameters in the building such as load capacities, building code issues and fire safety. There is no charge to the Friends of Mechanics Hall for this study. Findings will be presented in the spring as part of the students’ Major Qualifying Project.
Public Education
Members discussed the idea of a town wide mailing to highlight Commission activities. Sheila reported the cost of every door delivery (to each of 1443 addresses) is $231, compared to $664 for a first class mailing. Members decided that it would be more effective to wait until we were ready to advertise a specific event and then highlight accomplishments and other items at that time. It was suggested that one of those items be a description of the Historical Commission’s role as compared to that of the Historical Society.
It was suggested that the Commission consider pursuing a joint fundraiser with the Historical Society and Joyce and Alex will approach the PHS. Upcoming costs for the PHC will include a plaque for the Four Corners National Register District and writing the nominations for Everettville and Boylston Villa.
National Register Historic Districts
Joyce obtained permission from John Lebeaux to use the copier in Town Hall to make copies of the Wachusett Mountain National Register nomination for the Library, Historical Society and Historical Commission. The cost of paper will be covered by the Historical Commission and Joyce will submit an invoice to Sheila for the paper.
Meetinghouse Cemetery
Gravestone fragments: Alex reported that there are about 10 intact footstones and 20 partial footstones that have surfaced over the course of the cemetery restoration project. This count does not include footstones that have already been reset behind their respective headstones.
Minutes of the Princeton Historical Commission
November 21, 2013
Town Hall Annex, 7 PM
Meetinghouse Cemetery continued
Most of these footstones surface when the neighboring headstone is being reset and often after its corresponding headstone has been reset. This has created a footstone management problem in addition to all of the unmarked fragments. After some discussion it was decided that the footstones be stored carefully off site (while awaiting reset and/or repair) and the unmarked fragments be stored in a dry well (to be discussed further) located at the cemetery. Alex will contact the Cemetery Commission for their feedback on this approach. There are also a few small fragments with special markings that might be of interest to the Historical Society.
Joyce and Brian Keevan ventured to Meetinghouse Hill on November 14 to look for Sunset Rock, which presumably marks the location of the first meetinghouse. Joyce and Brian believe that the large rock at the top of the cemetery’s driveway could be Sunset Rock. The driveway was the former Road to Meetinghouse Hill as shown on the 1830 map of Princeton.
Next Meeting: Next meeting December 19th, 2013 at 7 PM in the Town Hall Annex.
Respectfully submitted, Alex Fiandaca
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