Ten year wait over for Tudor
Published on August 9th, 2006
STONEHAM, MA - After lobbying ten-years for the restoration, Fells Reservation activists will join the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Stephen Burrington this Thursday to celebrate the rehabilitation of Spot Pond's Tudor Barn.
According to Newcomb Road resident Andrew Celentano, the Chair of the Friends of the Fells' Board of Directors, the non-profit environmental advocacy group has been fighting for the restoration of the historical structure for over ten years.
Considering Thursday's noontime ribbon cutting ceremony as more than just a gathering to commemorate the completion of the project, Celentano labeled the gathering as a signal of a new era of cooperation between the state agency and Fells Reservation user and advocacy organizations.
"The Tutor Barn was built over 100-years-ago [in 1840] and had unfortunately fallen into disrepair. It's one of the few remaining farm structures remaining in the area and it was pretty much in shambles," the Montvale Avenue businessman explained.
"We didn't actually physically get involved [with the construction work], but we raised $15,000 in funding and kind of oversaw the rehabilitation at length. We kind of kept prodding DCR to keep on top of this."
"I look at this as a new watermark in our relationship with DCR," Celentano added. "I hope it's the beginning of a relationship where we can preserve more of the Fells so that we can keep this cherished gift from our forefathers intact."
According to DCR officials, the Thursday ceremony, scheduled for 12 p.m., will occur regardless of weather circumstances. DCR, which chipped in over $100,000 for the project, welcomes all residents to attend the ribbon cutting at the 1840-era structure, which is located along Spot Pond not far from the Mass Water Resource Authority (MWRA) pumping station.
Originally owned by the MWRA, when Spot Pond was still used as a primary drinking water source, the state entity turned over the Tudor Barn property to the since-dismantled Metropolitan District Commission, the remnants of which fell under the newly formed DCR.
Along with relinquishing control of the property and land bordering Spot Pond in 1995, the MWRA also slated $88,000 for the restoration of the Tudor Barn, but the MDC and DCR reportedly sat on the funds until a few years ago.
However, when DCR officials finally decided to move forward with the project, an cost-analysis paid for by the Friends of the Fells revealed that the initial $88,000 figure no longer covered the costs for construction. After the environmental group raised $15,000 in additional funding, the state agency chipped in matching funds from a partnership program, allowing the restoration work to finally commence.
"We would like this to be used as a gathering place for lectures or maybe as a meeting place for nature walks," said Friends of the Fells Executive Director Mike Ryan, who acknowledged that modern day amenities such as electricity and sprinkler systems are still lacking in the Tudor Barn.
"Right now, there's also a chain-link fence around it. And we'd like to take that down, but we realize there needs to be a discussion about security. We obviously don't want vandals to come and start working on it again," added Ryan, listing another obstacle to reusing the structure that needs to be overcome.
In addition to the Tudor Barn work, Ryan and Celentano are hoping to restore the Botume House to establish a Fells Reservation visitor's center. Recently, the pair said, the Disney Foundation donated $15,000 for the work after shooting part of a film at the Flynn skating rink.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!