HomeMy WebLinkAboutChurbuck Letter of Opposition August 13, 2025
The Barnstable Historical Commission
Erica Brown
Town of Barnstable
367 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
RE: Popolo, Joseph Victor Jr. TR, 49 Putnam Avenue, Cotuit, Map 036, Parcel 044001
Dear Ms. Brown and honorable members of the Historical Commission,
I write to express my dismay over the last item on your meeting agenda for Tuesday, August 19 regarding
the notice of intent to move the Ebenezer Crocker, Jr. house at 49 Putnam Avenue, Cotuit.
Due to a prior commitment moderating a panel discussion about the future of wastewater treatment in, I
may not be able to attend the hearing in person to express my concerns about 49 Putnam proposal given
that it is listed last on the agenda and may not conclude in time for me to return to Cotuit and the 7 P.M.
meeting.
I am a life-long resident of Cotuit and a descendant of the Handy and Nickerson families, two of the
earliest settlers of the portion of the village formerly known as Cotuit Port. I am also an amateur historian
who has focused on the colonial and maritime history of Cotuit for the past forty years. My mentor was
the late Dr. James Gould who was instrumental in the inventorying of Cotuit’s old homes and organized
an effort to establish a local historic district in the early 1990s. I was a member of the study group
exploring the feasibility of such a district and consider myself relatively well-informed about the laws
governing the preservation of historically significant structures.
The disingenuous claim that moving the structure is “wholly appropriate” and will make it more
prominent to the public view” — buttressed by carefully composed “bad” photographs that try to
negatively accentuate the landscaping obscuring it from the street — completely disregards the true
impact of the Crocker house is its prominent place above the north shore of Cotuit Bay, where it has long
dominated the historic heart of Cotuit Port’s maritime history and been a beautiful element of the so-
called “viewshed” of the waterfront.
This is arguably one of the most historic and beloved structures in Cotuit, if not the Town of Barnstable.
It is in superb condition, as it was loved for by previous generations who carefully cared for it and in
return enjoyed a spectacular view from its rooms and porch over Cotuit Bay. I won’t deliver a history
lesson as the applicant’s filings details much of the history of the house, and its listing with the state and
National Register of Historic Places.
Trying to explain to my children and my neighbors who are heartsick over the prospect of seeing such a
prominent landmark traumatically uprooted and moved that there is nothing that can be done to preserve
the structure in situ (short of persuading the owner to sell it to a buyer who values its rich history), begs
the question of what the community can do in the future to prevent such a travesty from ever occurring
again.
If any good emerges from this misguided proposal, it may be the catalyst for finally creating a local
historic district in Cotuit similar to the Old King’s Highway, one that will give future buyers pause before
they contemplate purchasing a historical home with the intention of moving or demolishing it.
I urge this commission to hit the pause button with a mandatory 18-month delay on any demolition or
move and refers this to the Cape Cod Commission in the hope the applicant realizes the Ebenezer Crocker
house is a community treasure, and not a personal inconvenience.
Yours
David Churbuck
Captain Thomas Chatfield House
854 Main Street
Cotuit, MA 02635