~ CT·TRUST Connecticut FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION Preservation News September / October 2004 Volume XXVII, No. 5 The Most Important Threatened Historic Places in Connecticut – 2004 sing nominations submitted by members, leads from an infor- Umal poll of preservationists across the state, and the observations of our Connecticut Circuit Riders, the Connecticut Trust has compiled a list of the most impor- tant threatened historic places in the state. Our aim is to call attention to especially important historic sites that are under threat or to common dangers that imperil a num- ber of historic places in Connecticut. As we looked around the state this year, three recurring themes emerged. One is the need for sources of funding to close the “appraisal gap” — the difference between the cost of renovating a building and its expected value once renovation is complete. Even when there is recognition of signifi- cance, local support, and a willing developer, commercial lenders will not lend more than their appraisals indicate a property is worth. Convinced of the long-term viability of many preservation projects that cannot obtain short-term financing, the Trust is investigating ways of closing this gap. A second theme is demolition by neglect. From inner cities to expensive This dam, which powered the American Thread Company mills in neighborhoods, important historic buildings are allowed to Willimantic, is one of many across the state that are threatened with deteriorate. “The building fell into disrepair,” owners say, as if demolition. Since this photo was taken in 1968, the brick mill has been demolished and the stone one renovated. their role in the process was entirely passive. “We have no choice but to take it down.” Sometimes the owner truly doesn’t have the resources to maintain the structure, but all too often neglect is a deliberate first step in demolition, intended to forestall preserva- tionists’ opposition. In This Issue A third theme is the offer to let an historical society or some- one else move a building to make room for new development. Around the State 4 While moving is sometimes the only satisfactory solution, it is Technical Assistance Grants 11 always difficult and expensive. The majority of buildings offered for moving end up being destroyed, and all that’s saved is the Archaeological Perspectives 16 continued page 7 The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, non-profit organization. ISSN 1084-189X AT THE TRUST he Board of Trustees and staff were The new conference table, matching chairs deeply saddened to learn that board and mahogany bookcases will be in place The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is T a nonprofit statewide membership organization es- member Robert Harper, FAIA, died sud- by September. We especially thank Leroy tablished by a special act of the State Legislature in 1975. Working with local preservation groups and denly on July 31 of a massive heart attack. Diggs, Manager, Facilities and Site Ser- individuals as well as with statewide organizations, He was 65 years old. A truly unpretentious vices, Union Carbide Corporation, a sub- it encourages, advocates and facilitates historic pres- person, Bob graduated from Amherst and sidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. ervation throughout Connecticut. received his Master of Architecture from We are pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees Columbia University School of Architec- Trust has received a $5,000 grant from the Officers ture and Planning. He was a founder and Connecticut Humanities Council to per- Theodore F. Ells, Chairman, Branford David H. Barkin, Vice Chairman, Woodbridge partner of Moore Grover form a preliminary study of Susan U. Lawrence, Secretary, Darien and Harper in 1975, which historic barns in the state. Stanley G. Fullwood, Treasurer, Canton John T. Kahler, Assistant Treasurer, Norwalk became Centerbrook Archi- Architectural historian tects and Planners in 1984. James Sexton will undertake Gubernatorial Appointees Theodore F. Ells, Branford In 1997 Bob founded Rob- the research. The project, The Hon. Arthur Lathrop, Norwich ert L. Harper, FAIA, Archi- jointly sponsored by the Jeffry Muthersbaugh, Bethel tect. Among his major build- State Historic Preservation Additional Members of the ings are the Amherst College Office, is one of many ini- Board of Trustees Dawn Adiletta, Woodstock Life Sciences Building; the tiatives associated with the Martha Alexander, New Haven Williams College Museum Connecticut opening of the Mary Anderson, Noank Joan Carty, Bridgeport of Art; Williams Hall, Cold Smithsonian’s traveling ex- J. Barclay Collins, Sharon Spring Harbor Laboratories, hibit Barn Again! Celebrat- Ron Cooper, New Haven New York; the Sharon, Con- ing an American Icon in Inger McCabe Elliott, Stonington Robert Harper Walter Fiederowicz, Litchfield necticut, Country Club; and Spring 2005. For more Glenn Geathers, Hartford more than 50 single-family information on activities Lisa Holmes, Hadlyme Adrienne Farrar Houel, Bridgeport houses, both new and renovated. One of planned around the exhibit, visit the Kenneth Johnson, Hartford Bob’s great contributions to the Trust was Connecticut Humanities Council’s web Clare Meade, Wethersfield Judith Miller, Bridgeport his service on the Building, Grounds and site, www.ctheritage.org. Guido Petra, Guilford Easements Committee where, in the words We would like once again to thank FiFi Sheridan, Greenwich Gary J. Singer, Ridgefield of that committee’s chairman, David Cesar Pelli & Associates Architects, who Myron Stachiw, Woodstock Barkin, he shared his incredible “wealth of for more than ten years have underwritten Adele Strelchun, Waterbury, North Canaan Jane Talamini, Fairfield knowledge as a practitioner,” particularly our much-referenced Historic Properties The Hon. Patricia Widlitz, Guilford in reviewing plans for alterations to build- Exchange. The Exchange appears in every Staff ings on which we hold easements. issue of Connecticut Preservation News and Helen Higgins, Executive Director One of Bob’s special interests at the online at www.cttrust.org. Christopher Wigren, Deputy Director Trust was the Eli Whitney Boarding- We are also pleased to announce that Cathyann Plumer, Membership Manager Brad Schide, Connecticut Circuit Rider house, the Trust’s office. The building was Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company Nina E. Harkrader, Connecticut Circuit Rider restored in 1989 but continues to have will become a lead sponsor of our preser- Elizabeth Hart Malloy, Content Manager, www.cttrust.org restoration, maintenance and decorating vation portal, www.cttrust.org. The Trust needs. In July, board members Ted Ells, has had a longstanding relationship with Connecticut Preservation News Editor: Christopher Wigren Stan Fullwood and Jeff Muthersbaugh Middlesex, working with them as they Editor, Historic Properties Exchange: Anne Stillman joined Membership Manager Cathyann produced and refined their special antique Graphic Design: J.M. Communications Plumer for an all-day scrape-and-paint homeowners insurance program, The Printing: Kramer Printing party. The impetus to paint the conference Restorationist. Middlesex generously un- Affiliate Organizations Merritt Parkway Conservancy room, front porch posts, cellar hatch and derwrote the Trust’s popular Restoration Residents for Rural Roads back door on a hot and humid summer Services Directory in the late 1990s — now Connecticut Preservation News is published bimonthly by the Connecti- day came from the offer of conference available online on the portal. The Trust cut Trust for Historic Preservation, 940 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut 06517-4002. Publication is made possible by the support room furniture from Dow Chemical’s and Middlesex will be partnering on sev- of the members of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and by a matching grant-in-aid from the U.S. Department of the Inte- Union Carbide Corporation in Danbury. eral initiatives in the next year. rior, National Park Service, through the Connecticut Historical Com- mission under provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The contents and opinions stated herein do not necessarily re- flect the views and policies of the Department of the Interior. The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation assumes no responsibility “On the Green, Bolton, CT.” 1775 and 1800 Federal for the advertisements. This program receives Federal financial assistance for identification and center hall, former bed and breakfast, Jared Cone House, protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U.S. living room, dining room, older kitchen, 5 bedrooms with fire- Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or handicap in its federally assisted pro- places, 3 full baths, new wiring, newer post and beam barn/ grams. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any pro- gram, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further garage with 2 and 1/2 bays & finished 2nd floor & workshop, information, please write to the Office for Equal Opportunity, U.S. De- newer septic, A.G. pool, 2 acres, Nat. Hist. Register. Offered partment of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. © 2004, Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. All rights reserved. at $380,000. Call Doug Smith, owner, at(860) 649-5678. ISSN 1084-189X 2 CONNECTICUT PRESERVATION NEWS, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2004 AT THE TRUST the case for