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January 15,2018 MARSTONS MILLS.,
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Janet Milkman,Executive Director
Barnstable Land Trust P.O. Box 1375 M4t tons MikMA q648
1540 Main Street ma tonsmillsgrstoriedorg
West Barnstable,MA 02668 0. _'
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Dear Janet:
The Marstons Mills Historical Society(MMHS)has recently learned that BLT plans to demolish th#Fuller FwmhmVe on
Route 149. We would like to respectfully explain our deep concerns about this decision,and befor4 any actif4 is t�n,to
have the opportunity to more fully express the nature of those concerns. They basically center around the foll`awin
points:
1. This sturdy historic building,stately for a farmhouse of its day, is the expression of a strong,supportive village
that came together in 1887 to replace the Fuller family's home following a devastating fire. And it is the last
remnant of a once thriving dairy farm,itself one of the last continuously working farms on Cape Cod when
farming ceased there in 2002.
2. The Farmhouse is the modern-day embodiment of Fuller Farm—an icon to our village's agricultural past in a
village known particularly for its milling and farming heritage. Few passers-by have ever seen beyond the first
hedgerow,but everyone knows"Fuller Farm"because of this landmark building and nearby collection of rusting
antique farm equipment.
3. The Fuller Farmhouse is a key to the integrity of this portion of Route 149,a Designated Scenic Road,and is a
reminder of a family deeply involved in local agriculture. The Fullers were active members of the Cotuit Grange,
and Al Fuller,a Trustee of the Barnstable Co.Agricultural Society,worked many for years on the Barnstable Co.
Fair. The Fairgrounds were located just up the road in Marstons Mills before moving to Falmouth. When that
occurred Al rescued one of the old ticket booths and kept it down in the first field behind the house.
4. Fuller Farm exemplified diversity and community involvement. The Fullers raised dairy cows,sent milk to
Mystic Lake Dairy on Race Lane,raised chickens,maintained vast commercial hayfields,and operated a nearby
cranberry bog. Many kids from Marstons Mills fondly recall summer hayrides the Fullers provided for local
summer camps.
5. A detailed Study and Proposal for adaptive re-use of the Farmhouse was prepared by a Cape architect and
students from Roger Williams University. Even though BLT has elected to move its headquarters to a different
location,elements of that Proposal remain viable in support of other alternatives for the building.
6. Lastly,we believe the community expects BLT to set an example of excellence when it comes to Preservation and
Stewardship of ALL the assets entrusted to its care,and observe that the abandonment and destruction of historic
resources on its lands is highly counter-productive to that objective.
Based on these points,we would ask for a meeting to discuss our concerns,and to jointly investigate preservation
alternatives. Ideally this would occur prior to any application by BLT for a permit to demolish the building. MMHS is
not a large or wealthy organization,but we are willing to assist in the development of collaborative opportunities that
would be supportive of this initiative,and quite possibly others in future.
We thank BLT for considering our request.In general,the Society has been strongly supportive through the years of
BLT's fine work in land preservation,and would like very much to maintain that cordial relationship.
Sincerely,
David S. Martin,President
Cc: Laurie Young,Chair,Barnstable Historical Commission
V-drian Florence,Barnstable Building Commissioner
Donna Lawson,President,Marstons Mills Village Association
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David S. Martin, President LA D TRUST
Marstons Mills Historical Society
P.O. Box 1375
Marstons Mills, MA 02648
February 6,.2018
Dear David,
Thank you for your letter of January 161h expressing your concerns about plans to remove the
structures from our Fuller Farm property. You have clearly and specifically laid out your reasons
for wishing us to pursue alternatives to taking down the.farmhouse and barn.
Over the next several months, we will be developing a vision for opening the property for public
use such as walking and birding, and other potential productive activities, such as farming and
gardening. We are excited to learn about the historical agricultural uses of the property and
potentially sharing that with the public on the property through a kiosk and programs. We will
also be developing a plan to clean up and maintain the trails on the wooded lot in the adjacent
parcel south of Alpine Way.
In developing this vision, we will be seeking input from neighbors, the village association,
abutters, farmers and gardeners, and other interested partners. We are looking forward to being
able to provide access to one of our most beautiful properties for the enjoyment of the
community.
Developing these activities on our land supports our mission.to protect our natural environment
through land conservation and stewardship. BLT is very focused on protecting the natural
landscapes of all of Barnstable and this includes the remnants of the historic agricultural
landscape of our villages. Renovation and maintenance of historic.buildings and structures, even
when they are associated with a landscape, as in this case, is expensive and complicated. Unless
resources were made available, this is beyond the mission and capacity of our organization. Our
community expects us to stay true to that mission.
While we cannot undertake the renovation and maintenance of the structures ourselves, we are
open to the idea of working with MMHS if you have ideas for a practical solution that is
consistent with our intentions for the rest of the property. If the Marstons Mills Historical Society .
would like to develop a plan and come up with the resources to do-so, we are open to discussing
it.
1540 Main Street, West Barnstable,MA 02668 508.771.2585 www.blt.org
• a
We will hold off on advancing any plans for the structures until April. In the meantime, we'll
pursue our broader vision for the property.
Wit our thanks and best regards,
Jane Milkman
Executive Director
Cc: Laurie Young, Chair, Barnstable Historical Commission
Brian Florence, Barnstable Building Commissioner
Donna Lawson, President, Marstons Mills Village Association
1540 Main Street, West Barnstable,MA 0668 508.771.2585 www.blt.org
i
HISTORIC MILL SIGNS, MARSTONS MILLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PERMISSIONS,April, 2017
David Martin, President
508-527-0460
davidmartindr@aol.com
www.marstonsmillshistorical.ors
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MARSTONS MILLS HISTORIC SIGNS (10-25-16) .
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1. LIME KILNS (Colonial Period) (Sign at Prince Cove, south side of
Near this site,toward the water, in Prince Cove Rd., east of Marina)
Colonial times stood kilns for making
quicklime from oyster shells, used for
fireplace cement. ,
2. HYDRO PLANT (1940'S) (Sign at southeast corner of
The Marstons Mills River powered the Rt. 28 and Rt. 149, read from
only hydro-electric plant on Cape Prince Cove Road)
Cod near this site. Developed by David
Leland, it first lighted a light bulb in 1945.
3. GRIST MILL (1709-1920) (Sign at curb turnout on
The Marstons Mills River powered a mill right-hand side of Rt.149
near here which ground corn and grain. opposite Herring Run)
See also other sites: Lime Kilns at
Prince Cove Road at the Cove; Hydro-
electric plant near corner of Route 28
and Route 149, Fulling Mill west of
River Road; Sawmill west of Old Mill
Road near Bog Road; and Tarpit at end
of Crooked Cartway in Conservation area.
4. FULLING MILL; CARDING MILL (1689) (sign at northwest corner of
Beyond Mill Pond near this site stood a Fulling River Rd. and Fullling Mill Lane)
Mill for cleaning sheep's wool with water and
earthen detergent, which was then given to a
Carding Mill to be woven into threads for
making fabrics.
5. SAWMILL (Early 20th Century) (sign on north side of Old Mill
Near this site stood a Sawmill which cut Road just east of Bog Road)
boards from pine trees, which grew in
great quantity in this area.
6. TARPIT (1705) (sign in parking lot at end of
Half a mile up the walkway into the Conservation Crooked Cartway before
Area, on the right side is a depression which was gate into Conservation area)
a tarpit for burning pine trees to make pitch for ships'
rigging and charcoal for blacksmiths' furnaces.
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MARSTONS MILLS
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P.O. Box 1375 Marstons Mills, MA 02648
marstonsmillsh istorical.org
Robin Anderson October 29, 2016
Department of Public Works
Town of Barnstable
200 Main Street
Hyannis, MA
Dear Robin,
Thank you very much for meeting with me to discuss different aspects of the proposal by the
Marstons Mills Historical Society to post marker signs to indicate the former sites of historic
mills within the Mills. We are seeking permission from the Water Department who administers
the parking-lot signs at the Conservation area for the sign for the Tarpit site, from private
owners for the signs for the Fulling Mill and the Sawmill sites, and from the Barnstable Land
Trust for the signs for the Hydro-electric plant and Grist mill sites. We would now like to obtain
permission through you from the Town for posting the final sign in the series of six—that for
the site of the Lime Kilns,to be erected on south of Prince Cove Road to the east of the Marina,
near the roadside. This sign would read:
LIME KILNS
Near this site during colonial times
stood kilns for making quicklime
from oyster shells,to be used for
fireplace cement.
The sign will be durable and long-lasting, and would measure not larger than two feet by two
feet, with lettering for the title which can be easily read from a passing car or a pedestrian;
those interested could stop and read the full sign.
Please let me know of the additional steps to follow in order to obtain permission for this sign.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
David S. Martin, President, Marstons Mills Historical Society
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3/24/2017 Re:Confirming signs
From: Redmond Bansfield<rbansfield@yahoo.com>
To: David Martin<d avid ma rti nd r@aol.com>
Subject: Re:Confirming signs
Date: Fri,-Mar 24,2017 7:49 am
This is all good
Red Bansfield
Land Management Coordinator
Barnstable Land Trust
office: 508-771-2585
cell: 508-868-1715
From: David Martin <davidmartindr@aol.com>
To: rbahsfield(@yahoo.com
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2017 8:22 PM .
Subject: Confirming signs
Hi, Red—I'm preparing to meet now with Robin Anderson to give her the summary of the placement of the 6 historic signs for
old mill sites in Marstons Mills, for her ok. I'll plan to summarize our conversations and emails, telling her about the one for
the Hydro plant site and the one for the Grist mill site, which we had discussed. Can I tell her that we've reached agreement
on those placements now(a new two-posted sign at site of the Hydro plant and using the existing BLT single post at the
Grist Mill site)? I have also just found a nice little plastic box which would hold some leaflets about how to do a self-guided
tour of all 6 sites, which we'd attach under the sign on the post at the Grist Mill site—visitors would just help themselves to
one and be on their way if they wished; would that be ok to attach that below the sign at the Grist mill site on the same post
? (The box is clear plastic and measure 7 inches wide and 3 inches high).
Thanks!--David
https://mail.aol.com/webmaii-std/er,us/PrintMessage 1/1
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4-MARSTONS MILLS_
�H,1STORICA.L SOCIETY.
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P.O. Box 1375 Marstons Mills, MA 02648
December 2, 2016 marstonsmillshistorical.org
Celeste Russell
332 Old Mill Road
Marstons Mills, MA 02648
Dear Celeste,
Thank you for meeting with me yesterday about the best place to post the historic-marker sign
for the Sawmill site on your property. I appreciated your advice about the best place at the
roadside, to avoid snowplowing and still be visible as people are driving past the house. I
expect that the sign will be posted sometime in early Spring after the thaw, and I am enclosing
the probably wording for the sign for you to have. We certainly appreciate your willingness to
help provide public information about our historic past.
Sincerely,
y
David S. Martin, President, Marstons Mills Historical Society
Marstons Mills Historical Society
Permission for Sign
As the owner of property at 105 River Road in Marstons Mills, I give permission to the Marstons Mills
Historical Society to post a sign marking the nearby location of the historic Fulling Mill.The sign will be
posted on the side of River Road near the existing temporary construction sign on the west side of the
road.
Signed
Date a 2<o
12/29/2016 eGrant-Marstons Mills Historical Society
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http://capecodfive.egrant.nettpagesfjrgenerator.aspx?DocumentlD=472933&PIID=764o 212
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1202016 Re:sign
From: David Martin<d avid ma rh nd r@aol.com>
To: CCrocker<CCrocker@commfiredistrict.com>
Subject: Re:sign
Date: Thu,Dec 8,2016 12:47 pm
Thank you very much for the positive reply. We will probably wait until the spring thaw for the installation of the sign on a
post. We will make sure that it blends in properly with the other signs at the end of Crooked Cartway.—David Martin
—Original Message—
From: Crocker, Craig <CCrockeKaDcommfiredistrict.com>
To: David Martin (davidmartindrt@aol.com)<davidmartindr -aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Dec 8, 2016 12:41 pm
Subject: sign
Hi-please proceed with your request.
Thanks,
Craig A Crocker
Superintendent
COMM Water Department
508-428-6691
WA�en
DEPT
https://mail.aol.comANebmaii-std/errus/PrintMessage 1/1
3/30/2017 Re:Post installation for Marstons Mills Historic Mill Sites
From: John Norman<johnnorman12@comcast.net>
To: David Martin<d avid martindr@aol.com>
Subject: Re:Post installation for Marstons Mills Historic Mill Sites
Date: Sat,Mar 11,2017 6:21 am
Hi David, I think this is something that I can definitely get done myself without the Town DPW. They will make
it into a much bigger production than it needs to be.
Once we get some nice weather we will set a Saturday date and get all the locations marked out and call "DIG
SAFE" 72 hours in advance. Lets continue to communicate once the signs are complete and all the posts ready
to go. Thank you, John Norman
On Mar 8, 2017, at 11:44 PM, David Martin<davidmartindr@aol.com>wrote:
Hello, John—it was good to meet you at the Marstons Mills Village Association meeting this week. As I
mentioned, our Historical Society is preparing now to install several well-made signs which would mark the
locations of several historic mill sites from the past, in the Village. While one of the six signs will be attached
to an existing Bamstable Land Trust sign , there are 5 signs that will need installation, with two posts each for
stability and durability. We expect these signs to be ready in April, and we would very much like approval for
the DPW to do the installation—we are having the signs made professionally, including the posts, and so the
job is , first, checking to make sure the locations don't interfere with any existing utility lines, and then second,
digging the holes and putting the posts in place. The locations will be near the marina on Prince Cove Road
(site of the lime kilns), the comer of Prince Cove Road, where it meets Rt. 28(location of the Hydro-electric
plant), the curbside at 330 River.Road (location of the Fulling Mill), the curbside of 332 Old Mill Road (location
of the old sawmill), and at the end of Crooked Cartway in the small parking area (near the site of the historic
tarpit). In each case, the owners of the property have given their permission,and I can elaborate on that as
needed.
Could you check on the possibility of the DPW providing this service for Marstons Mills at some point in April,
after the spring thaw?
THank you very much.—David Martin, President, Marstons Mills Historical Society
https://mail.aol.com/webmail-std/en-us/PrintMessage 1/1
LIME KILNS
During the Colonial period, kilns stood'
near this site, toward the water,, These
kilns (ovens) made quicklime from oyster
shells that .was used for fireplace cement.'
MILL SITE TOUR
Mar -stons Mills Historical Society
MMHS WWW, marstonsmillshistorical .org
Sponsored by the Cape Cod Five Charitable Foundation