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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSIGNS FOR HISTORIC SITES IN MM cFor r1yn A ° uiiversal oneTm www.myuniversalop.com phone:1-866-756-4676 UNVIOSOI , MADE IN USA IIL I � r 0- 1 a a .� a. 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. _' w a° 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 f OWaTOF SARNSTR - $ARNSTABLE 1018 2 PPS 2- 59 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 c6- IV V T lj#- RQ�e sA�� o`zta U ae _ ch Myst'fc Late N .ocbN _ Hanf6Ger.l Paid Pond . _3 MARSTO:NS P aQ� � ML L.�.� FActollos lbe FOLLIOiGiO1LL —\ �S._ �� GRlSTJKlLL. T Mf ,. 3 1704 CABOING n 11 � MILL TO e HYDRODLANT . 1945 `1{ 4 t.ed° /milt LIMEKI soon:;aa,00a o 4k Voe JWq 19 V6 j cc,o O Cf- �IL- r MARSTONS MILLS HISTORIC SIGNS (10-25-16) . i 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. I �® La. 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 r i 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 I 4-MARSTONS MILLS_ �H,1STORICA.L SOCIETY. G F �`� _ .y;r. ss" ate. X • � ..k y.' �1P- S�;8 t. 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 r http://capecodfive.egrant.nettpagesfjrgenerator.aspx?DocumentlD=472933&PIID=764o 212 r 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