HomeMy WebLinkAboutBurgess Letter of OppositionDear Ms,. Brown and Members of the Barnstable Historical Commission,
We are writing to voice our opposition to the proposed demolition and move of 49 Putnam Avenue, the
Ebenezer Crocker Home, one of the oldest if not the oldest house in what was Cotuit Port and famous
not only for its original family but also its later illustrious owners and their guests. From 1973 to 1988,
Mrs. Burgess and I dwelt in the “farmhouse’ during the summer and maintained the fields, tennis court,
and buildings on the then Ropes and Cabot properties. For several years, I have led “historic walks” in
the village of Cotuit for the Historical Society of Cotuit and Santuit. We will not repeat the historic
information available in your own files, and those of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, but wish
to emphasize that the existing ells on the original main building as well as the front porch and the
unusual glassed nook “The Nose” above the front porch which are later additions, are just as valuable
historically to the house as is the main structure. The western ell was added to be the first Post Office in
Cotuit Port and the eastern ell was added by Senator Samuel Hooper as an enlarged kitchen and
servant’s wing when he settled in Cape Cod as one of the Cape first summer visitors. Indeed, that wing
is now missing its two second story porches which allowed the servants access to the fresh summer air
from the bay . The literature on this house runs to a significant number of pages. To strip it of its
historical additions and relegate it to the site of the old barn - tragically lost due to negligence of the
owner prior to the current one - is hardly mitigated by a better view from the road for the public and
some increased “outdoor living space” for the owner of the abutting 25 year old house. We urge you to
put the full delay on any demolition to this house and subsequent move and refer the matter to both
the Cape Cod Commission and the Massachusetts Historical Commission for the deliberation and input.
Yours,
Thomas Knight Burgess
Anna E. Burgess-Berbee
Elihu Fish Turner House
658 Main Street
Cotuit, MA 02635