Connecticut Preservation News March/April 2019 Volume XLII, No. 2 Things Fall Apart e have all seen vacant houses and unused barns that are the severity of the problem. They may not have the money to W left to decay. First a hole develops in the roof, then fix it or it may not be a priority to them. Some owners might the rain and snow get in, the frame slowly starts to sag, the even prefer a slow collapse under the mistaken impression windows fall out, and eventually (sometimes after many that it’s cheaper than demolition. years), the structure collapses into a pile of rubble. Withholding or deferring minimum maintenance is some- All building materials deteriorate over time and normal times called “demolition by neglect”—a loaded term that maintenance is required to prevent deterioration from presumes to know the owner’s intention. In fact, situations reaching a critical point. Sometimes owners are not aware of may be more complicated than they appear. There can be different kinds of neglect. continued on page 2 _________________________________ In This Issue: C. Wigren _________________________________ New on the National Register 4 _________________________________ Around the State 8 _________________________________ Tackling Difficult Stories 20 William Mason house, Thompson, The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit organization. ISSN 1084-189X Things Fall Apart, cont’d from page 1 In many cases, neglect occurs when intentional withholding of maintenance in approval to raze the building, citing collapsed owners do not have the money to maintain order to get around preservation require- sections of the roof and interior framing a property, do not understand the prop- ments or popular support for an historic which made the building unsafe. The erty’s maintenance needs, or simply don’t site. With a bit of patience, this amounts commission ruled against the application consider it a priority. Some owners have to slow-motion demolition. “It fell into because it saw no evidence that the owners a vision that exceeds their means yet are disrepair,” owners say, when in fact it was had explored alternatives to demolition. unwilling to sell the property to someone pushed into disrepair. Within days, however, the City building who can care for it properly. The difficulty with labeling this ‘demo- department issued an order requiring that the For many years, neighbors and pres- lition by neglect’ is in knowing the inner Gatehouse be demolished or shored up, and ervationists worried about the steady workings of the owner’s mind—the inten- in December the building was torn down. deterioration of the William H. Mason tions. For instance, when the Quinnipiac Was the Gatehouse a victim of deliberate house in Thompson. The Gothic Revival Brewery in New Haven (1882-1916; NR) neglect? The owners argued that reusing the dwelling was built in about 1845 for a local was converted to apartments in the 1980s, building was not financially viable, and that millowner and sits at a prominent corner one small building was left unfinished. they simply had put off the inevitable demoli- overlooking the Thompson Hill common Built about 1890 as an office, the building tion. However, they produced no documenta- in a National Register district. In 1992 was called the Gatehouse on account of its tion for that claim, and the building clearly the famed interior designer Mario Buatta gateway location at a major intersection. had seen no upkeep in many years. bought the house and began renovating In a financial agreement with the city in Whether or not neglect is deliberate, it it. However, work soon stopped and since 2014, the property owners, Brewery Square poses one of the most frustrating threats to then the house has sat vacant and decaying. Gatehouse Limited Partnership (a separate preservation. Every time a building is lost The Connecticut Trust listed the Mason entity formed by Bruner/Cott, the architec- to neglect, there follow inevitable calls to do house as one of the state’s most important tural firm that did the original conversion) something about it. This is difficult, first threatened historic places in 2004. In agreed to create a renovation plan for the of all because it is difficult to determine an subsequent conversations with Buatta it gatehouse. owner’s intentions. Second, requiring mainte- became clear to Helen Higgins, the Trust’s No plan was ever submitted, and in continued on page 6 executive director at the time, that the 2018 the owners applied to the owner, who lived in New York City, was local historic district commission for not able to oversee work on the property C. Wigren or even ensure the maintenance of the house. Yet he also was unwilling to sell it, Close-ups of some of the neglect insisting that he would get the work done at the William Mason house. eventually. Buatta died in 2018; the house remains empty. Very different from neglect caused by inadequate resources or abilities is the The Gatehouse at Brewery Square Apartments in New Haven was demolished in December because it had become unsafe due to extended neglect. New Haven Preservation Trust 2 Connecticut Preservation News, March/April 2019 At the Trust From the Executive Director n spite of winter snow, sleet, rain, arises from a situation in Willimantic (see about the importance of protecting the CIA I and cold, staff and board of the page 18) but would have statewide conse- for enhancing Connecticut as a good place to Connecticut Trust have been busy around quences. We were grateful for Norwich live and work. the state. On February 1, the Trust town historian Dale Plummer who in his Sadly, we are saying farewell to a valued embarked on a new partnership with testimony against the bill pointed to two staff member. Since 2006, Greg Farmer has Capital for Change (C4C), the largest successful rehab projects—the Wauregan been one of the Connecticut Trust’s Circuit full-service Community Development Hotel and the Reid & Hughes building— Riders, in which capacity his wealth of Financial Institution in Connecticut. By which without the same preservation knowledge and broad experience in preserva- investing capital, we will gain their exper- protections would now be vacant lots tion, museums, and community planning tise in processing loans while continuing disfiguring downtown Norwich. enriched the Trust’s work. In addition to to provide much-needed funding for As always, the budget is of special visiting every corner of Connecticut, Greg preservation projects. Circuit Riders and concern. Governor Lamont’s budget worked intensely with local historic district Trust staff will have a role in facilitating proposal called for diverting all monies commissions and launched the Connecticut these projects. from the Community Investment Act to Trust Revolving Loan Fund. He is leaving It’s the legislative season in Hartford, the general fund, and providing for the the Trust in mid-March to devote full time and Trust staff, board members, and CIA’s programs of preservation, affordable to his historic preservation consulting firm, lobbyists are often to be found at the housing, farmland protection, and open Agricola Corporation. We’ll miss his wisdom, Capitol. The situation changes daily, but as space acquisition through line items rather his thoughtfulness, and his understated sense of late February, we’re working to oppose than guaranteed allotments through the of humor but we count on continuing to see House Bill 6552, a bill that would strip CIA. Even before the budget proposal was him though his consulting work and so we historic properties in distressed communi- released, representatives from the Trust had wish him all the best. ties of preservation protections. This bill begun conversations with key legislators Finally, as I write this, we’re reviewing nominations for our annual Connecticut Preservation Awards. It’s always inspiring to see the creative ways people are plugging into The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is a nonprofit statewide membership organization established by a our state’s historic places to build a better special act of the State Legislature in 1975. Working with local preservation groups and individuals as well as statewide organizations, it encourages, advocates and facilitates historic preservation throughout Connecticut. Connecticut for future generations. We hope you’ll plan to join us on April 4 as we present Board of Trustees Inger Elliott, Stonington Connecticut Preservation News is published bimonthly by the Connecticut the awards at the Town and County Club in Officers Theodore F. Ells, Branford Trust for Historic Preservation, 940 Sara Bronin, Chair, Hartford Robert Faesy, Wilton Whitney Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut Hartford. You’ll be inspired, too! Richard Wies, Vice Chair, Branford Gerald Farrell, Jr., Wallingford 06517. Publication is made possible by support of the members of the Connecticut Caroline Sloat, Secretary, Thompson Walter Fiederowicz, Litchfield Trust for Historic Preservation and by Tom Nissley, Treasurer, New Canaan Mimi Findlay, New Canaan funds provided through the Community —Jane Montanaro, Executive Director Garry Leonard, Assistant Treasurer, Investment Act in the State of Connecticut. Glenn Geathers, Hartford The contents and opinions stated herein Madison John Herzan, Branford do not necessarily reflect the views and Lee G. Kuckro, Wethersfield policies of the State of Connecticut. Gubernatorial Appointees Advertisements do not reflect the views Stephen S. Lash, Stonington or opinions of the Connecticut Trust for Sara Bronin, Hartford Charles T. Lee, Greenwich Historic Preservation. The Connecticut The Hon. Catherine Osten, Sprague Peter Malkin, Greenwich Trust for Historic Preservation does not endorse advertisers and assumes no Olivia White, Essex Jeffrey Morgan, Kent responsibility for advertisements. Cesar Pelli, FAIA, New Haven Additional Members of George Schoellkopf, Washington © 2019, Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. All rights reserved. the Board of Trustees John W. Shannahan, Suffield Cristina Aguirre-Ross, New Canaan ISSN 1084-189X Mary Catherine Curran, Hartford Staff Upcoming Meetings Jeremy Frost, Southport Jane Montanaro, Executive Director Edward F.