CPA Grant narrative 91619 finalIntroduction
During the last five years, Historic Northampton has undergone a transformation and revitalization (See
Appendix 1 for list of major tasks completed). Thanks to major funding from the CPC and support from
hundreds of donors and volunteers, Historic Northampton is now a destination--a thriving community-
centered museum and education center, with vibrant programming, beautiful grounds, improved
collections storage, an expanded staff and a new, professional exhibit that highlights 400 years of
change on Main Street. Just as significantly, Historic Northampton has become a respected collaborator
in the community and is a regular partner with more than two dozen other non-profits, libraries,
schools, colleges and universities.
But there is more work to be done for Historic Northampton to preserve all its historic resources and
share them with the public. Toward that end, we are requesting $191,134 of a total project budget of
$250,871 for these priorities:
Restore and re-open the Shepherd barn (1805-06) to the public
Assess conditions, restore and re-open the Parsons House (1719) to the public
Address the critical preservation need of rebuilding the historic Shepherd house porch
Install an art rack to safely store and preserve paintings
Collectively, the proposed projects are consistent with the goals and objectives of the CPC and support
Historic Northampton’s core mission, which is to preserve and interpret Northampton’s rich history.
Throughout this process, Historic Northampton is committed to the highest standard of preservation to
serve as a model for future work at Historic Northampton and other institutions.
The Damon House (1813), Parsons House (1719), Shepherd House
(1797) and Shepherd Barn (1805-06) are Historic Northampton’s largest
and most important artifacts.
2
During the last five years, Historic Northampton has secured private grants and donations that have
enabled the organization to paint the exterior of both the Damon and Parsons houses and add shutters
to restore the Damon House to its 1813 appearance.
Dozens of volunteers have played a crucial role in Historic Northampton’s rejuvenation.
These two images show a then-n-
now look at the Damon Education
Center basement—from 2016 and
now. In 2017 we purchased “like
new” compact storage units,
providing professional museum
storage and saving ~$90,000. The
renovation of this collections storage
area was paid for with a combination
of CPC funds and private
contributions. Below, images from
the new exhibit, Making it on Main Street.
3
RESTORING & RE-OPENING THE SHEPHERD BARN TO THE PUBLIC
Total Project Cost: $194,871
Request: $163,134
Summary
As part of our overall mission and strategic plan, one of our chief objectives is to stabilize and restore
the Shepherd barn and improve it so that it can become a functioning programming space. To
accomplish this, we propose the following sequence during 2020:
1. Conduct a professional archaeological assessment of the areas to be disturbed for 6-8 footings
(corners of the main barn and ell)
2. Modify the interior space so that the building’s integrity is ensured and its programmatic
potential enhanced
3. Remove all items from the barn, with artifacts stored on-site in secure rental storage units
4. Clean and thoroughly examine all interior elements
5. Remove barn doors, floors, stairs
6. Install footings; repair/replace damaged structural timbers; install ice/water barrier
7. Build new timber floor system as part of a community build project; replace/install main floor
and loft floors with professional crews
8. Rehang renovated/repaired doors; renovate and repair ADA bathroom; upgrade electrical
system and lighting; install security
9. Return some artifacts (e.g. historic signs, weathervanes) and open the barn for concerts,
classroom activities, demonstrations, theater performances and use by local non-profits and
civic groups.
History of the Shepherd Barn
Thanks to support from the CPC, we now know
from dendrochronology work that the Shepherd
Barn is one of the oldest existing barns in the
Connecticut River Valley. The barn’s main timbers
were cut in 1805, with its construction most likely
occurring in 1806. Barns of this type were built
from about 1770-1900.
It is a standard early American type called an
English barn which means that the main building
(30’ x 40’) was divided into three bays. The
central bay has doors at both ends, which allowed vehicles to be easily driven in and out. The bay on the
cooler, east side was used for hay storage; the bay on the warmer, west side was for horses and
livestock.
Historic Northampton’s Past Uses of the Barn
In the early 1980s, Historic Northampton used the Shepherd barn as an ancillary exhibit space, with farm
tools, a sleigh, shop signs, weathervanes and a miscellany of water-related items (an early public faucet,
early bathtubs and toilets and a length of public water pipe made out of a hollowed log) on display. The
4
ell, which was added sometime during the mid-19th century, was rented to a bookbindery, then later
used as a gift shop and finally, simply for storage.
During the 1990s, the main barn was used for periodic blacksmithing demonstrations, but gradually, like
the ell, it became a catch-all for unwanted equipment and other debris. At the same time, maintenance
issues were deferred, so that by 2013 the barn had become a sooty, messy and disorganized space, with
a leaky roof, broken windows, rotted doors and a daunting collection of junk mixed with valuable
collection items.
During 2014-15 acting director Nancy Rexford, along with board members and community volunteers,
took on the herculean task of cleaning it up. Donning hazmat suits and protective gear, they spent days
hauling out the unwanted debris and carrying collection items to cleaner, securer and more appropriate
locations in the Shepherd, Parsons and Damon houses.
Since then, all the critical and long-overdue
repairs have been addressed: the broken roof
slates have been fixed, new gutters and drain
spouts added, the rottenest post has been
replaced and two smaller doors were
repaired. In 2019, some of the important
business signs that were stored in the barn
were incorporated into the new exhibit,
Making it on Main Street.
Extent of structural problems
In 2015, Alicia Spence, an internationally
known timber framer and Florence resident,
completed a thorough structural assessment
of the main barn. In 2018, while repairing the
base of one of the posts, she reviewed the
barn a second time and, fortunately, she saw
no additional structural elements needing
repair or replacement. The diagram of the main
barn shows the framing members in yellow that
she determined needed replacement. These
include:
All sills
All floor joists
Three full posts on the south (front) wall
Sections of the front and rear plate
Section of east central girt
Spence has also examined the ell and recommended replacing the sills (a quick repair to the east sill was
made in 2017) and likely all floor joists.
5
Why now?
Historic Northampton submitted a request to the CPC in 2016 to repair the barn, which was not funded.
At that time, the age of the barn was still guesswork; it was thought to have been built in the early to
mid-19th century. Perhaps most significantly, it wasn’t clear how Historic Northampton would use the
barn once the repairs were made.
Now, three years later, we not only know the year the main timbers were cut (1805-06), but we also
have a clear idea about how the barn can expand Historic Northampton’s programmatic potential and
engage the public.
First, the barn can tell the story of early 19th century agriculture through an in-town barn. Visitors can
sense the space, touch the timbers, and learn about its function and meaning.
Second, the main part of the barn could be an auxiliary exhibit hall for artistic display of our impressive
collection of weathervanes (including ones from the 1812 First Church built by Isaac Damon, the 1814
courthouse built by Damon and one from Clarke School) and the signs of former businesses, including
Cohn’s men’s clothing, E.J. Gare & Son, Daily Hampshire Gazette, King & Cushman, Joe’s Pizza and a
neon sign from WHMP.
Third, the ell can provide opportunities that our main exhibit gallery in Damon House cannot. From
April to October, these spaces could hold small theatre performances and concerts or serve as a
gathering place before or after walking tours. It could be the setting for workshops, classes, and
demonstrations involving materials that aren’t allowed in the gallery (for example, extracting dyes from
plants, making baskets, fashioning arrowheads).
Finally, the ell, with its ADA bathroom, will be able to be used as a rentable meeting space for civic
groups and local non-profits. This will benefit community groups and provide some modest rental
income for Historic Northampton.
TEAM
To complete this work, Historic Northampton has assembled a team of
experts, including:
Gregory Farmer, historical building consultant, will serve as our
preservation expert and owner’s project manager.
Alicia Spence, master timber framer, will conduct the timber
framing work and oversee the community building phases of
the project related to flooring.
Douglas Thayer, an expert carpenter, will bring a wide range of
expertise, knowledge and craftsmanship. He was the primary
contractor for the renovations at the Damon House, including
the display cases, hands-on activity area, and many other
elements. He and his crew have worked with Alicia Spence on
previous jobs. Douglas Thayer will be responsible for all
carpentry, including doors, bathroom renovation and vapor
barrier.
Greg Walwer, archaeologist, will conduct the archaeological
investigations to ensure compliance with Historic
Douglas Thayer was our lead
carpenter for the renovation for
Making it on Main Street. His art
work can be found in parks all
over the United States.
6
Northampton’s Preservation Restriction and all state laws related to historical artifacts. Dr.
Walwer was the lead archaeologist investigating a 19th century cistern at Parsons House in 2017.
Wade Clement, master electrician, will be responsible for the lighting design, upgrades and
installation.
Bill Macewicz, master plumber, will be responsible for the repairs and upgrades to the ADA
bathroom.
Historic Northampton staff will be involved in all aspects of the design and project oversight to
ensure that the project is on-schedule and meets our goals of preservation and interpretation.
TIMELINE
SPRING 2020 -
HN staff and volunteers will remove all items from the barn and ell. Collections will be reviewed
to see if they are accessioned; if not they will be accessioned, photographed and catalogued.
Items will be temporarily stored in rented, on-site storage unit(s). The barn will be fully swept
and vacuumed so that all architectural elements and condition are clearly visible. All areas of
the barn will be photographed and measured, with features of interest noted in a written
report.
Archaeology work will be conducted and include a public presentation about the work and
archaeological activities.
The handicap bathroom and first floor partitions will be dismantled. Wiring and plumbing will be
removed.
SUMMER 2020
Timber-framer Alicia Spence will repair the barn frame and offer public programs on timber
framing.
Flooring on the first floor will be removed, the underlying surface will be raked & lightly graded
before a vapor barrier is installed.
Alicia Spence will oversee a community floor-building, during which volunteers will build the
new floor in a tent erected near the barn.
Install wiring and plumbing; rebuild the handicap bathroom and utility closet in already
modernized section of barn
Replace exterior sheathing where needed, repair and re-hang doors
FALL 2020
Rebuild stairway to second floor
Return collections to barn; set up areas for public use
Host major celebration—with tours of barn, activities in classroom, music and cider making.
7
PARSONS HOUSE: ASSESS CONDITIONS, RESTORE AND RE-OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Total Project Cost: $37,000
Request: $18,500
Summary
A major goal for Historic Northampton is to re-open the Parsons house, one of the oldest houses in
Northampton, which has been closed to the public since 2007.
We are requesting $18,500 of a $37,000 budget for a thorough and professional historic preservation
assessment of the present conditions and restoration work to open the first floor to the public. The
assessment will begin in April 2020 and all work (major repairs not required) be complete by December
31. The staff will then develop a tour program, and we will open to the public by spring 2021.
An additional aspect for the assessment is the determination of the practicability and desirability (from a
preservation perspective) of creating a one bedroom, short-term lease apartment on the rear of the first
floor. Our idea is that it will support short-term visiting scholars, artists and writers. It will be consistent
with our mission and provide us with some income, thereby diversifying our financial base.
History of Parsons House
Parsons house is one of the most important houses in Northampton. It stands on its original location on
the homesite granted about 1654 to Joseph and Mary Bliss Parsons (who was accused of witchcraft in
the 1670s). The house was built by their grandson Nathaniel Parsons early in the 1700s. A
dendrochronology study in 2015 revealed that the framing
members were cut in 1719. The house was presumed to have
been built in that year or shortly after. It was a two-and-a-half
story wooden frame house with a center chimney, typical of
those built by prosperous Connecticut Valley farmers up until
the 1750s. By the end of the 1700s, the Parsons House owners
had added to the rear a large kitchen and two small rooms in a
lean-to. Over the next fifty years, after more additions, the
roof was enlarged to incorporate all the house. The many
periods of remodeling in the 18th and 19th centuries tell the
story of changing tastes, rising affluence, expanding families,
widowhood and priorities. Lucky for us, the early core of the
house remains intact.
Past Uses of Parsons House
The Parsons House was donated to the Northampton
Historical Society in 1941 through the will of its last owner-
occupant Anna Catherine Bliss. She believed (erroneously)
that the house dated to 1658 and that it was the original home
of Cornet Joseph and Mary Bliss Parsons. The Society opened
it to visitors on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. It featured
"fine old furniture" as well as household items: treenware, Views inside the Parsons House today.
8
churns, china, cradles, quilting frames, looms, portraits and mirror frames.
In the mid-1970s, the parlor, the room at the left upon entering the front door, was furnished as an
1840s parlor with museum collection items reflecting the 1843 probate inventory of F. Hunt Wright who
lived in the house after the Parsons family sold it. The second story bedroom was furnished as the
1940s bedroom of Anna Catherine Bliss. An office and museum store and caretaker's apartment
occupied 5 or 6 rooms in the north side of the house.
Most remarkably, on the second floor were a dozen storage trunks of 18th and 19th century clothing
gathered by neighbor Edith Shepherd from Northampton’s oldest
families in the early 20th century. In the 1970s, museum staff opened
the trunks and catalogued, cleaned and stored the clothing on the
second floor of the Damon House. This clothing forms the foundation of
our extraordinary costume collection which enjoys a national reputation
because of the local provenance of most of the items.
Such good preservation research was done in the 1990s that it can be
the basis of our re-opening in 2021. In the early 1990s, Historic
Northampton staff hired a team of architectural historians and
conservators to conduct a building archaeology of the Parsons House
which resulted in the historic structures report mentioned
below. Visitors were able to tour the house during open hours to watch
the conservators work as they peeled back the house’s layers to reveal
its history of changes. They left open to view parts of walls, scraped
paint layers, remnants of wallpaper and hidden architectural details,
which they covered with plexiglass. The conservators trained docents to
lead tours which focused on the house’s architectural secrets of the
additions and changing interior finishes. These patches of open walls
and other reveals are there today, perfectly preserved, and ready for the
public to see again.
In 1999, house tours were reduced from five days a week to weekends
as exhibitions in the modern Damon education center took
precedence.
In November 2007, the house was closed to the public. When both the
first and second floors of the Shepherd House were fully rented as office
space, Shepherd furniture was stored on the second floor of Parsons
house, where it remains today.
In 2014, the Parsons house underwent basement to attic renovation,
ranging from asbestos removal, a new heating system, electrical code
upgrades, a new foundation to stabilize the back wall of the main body
of the house and other repairs. In May 2015, the public was invited to
participate in a month-long community archaeology dig inside and
outside the house. In the summer of 2017, the public was invited to
help with a community dig of a 19th century cistern discovered below a
20th century mudroom that was removed to install a new sill.
Examples of architectural
details revealed.
9
The house has been closed for twelve years. It is time to re-open this jewel of 18th-century
architecture. The substance of the tour and the historical information is already there.
Assessment Update Needed
In 1992, a team of historic preservation experts, overseen by the architectural conservator at the Society
for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (now Historic New England) produced an expansive
historic structures report (HSR). The complete report can be accessed on the Historic Northampton
website. The very thorough report detailed such findings as:
Progressions of additions and updates
The framing for a pentice or hood over the front door
Painted and unpainted paneling
Change in windows from diamond-pane casements to hung
windows
The 1992 HSR does not need to be rewritten or re-evaluated, but it
does need to be updated. Some changes have been made in the
intervening 27 years, namely significant repairs to the rear wall and
foundation, and naturally some things have deteriorated. Since that
time, developments in technology have yielded a strong body of
research on similar houses which has added more examples for
comparison which inform the interpretation of the Parsons House.
Moreover, additional social history scholarship has yielded a deeper
understanding of the cultural lives and social classes as expressed in
construction, finish and use of space.
Why Now?
The public, both local and from a distance, has been clamoring to see
“what’s inside” for years. By making necessary repairs, we can open
the house so that visitors can tour the first floor and see the
architectural details as well as the architectural archaeology that
were exposed in the 1990s. These include lathe and plaster, a
chamfered summer beam in the parlor, remnants of paint, and
fragments of wallpaper. The written resources are there to develop a
guided or a self-guided tour.
The Assessment Team
Updating the report requires a team of historic preservation and
architecture professionals. After a series of conversations with
several experts, we have chosen this team:
To lead the team is historical building consultant Gregory
Farmer who will also oversee work on the barn. Mr. Farmer
comes highly recommended by William Flynt, newly retired
historic preservation specialist at Historic Deerfield, and by
members of the Amherst Historical Commission. Mr.
Farmer’s expertise, built up over thirty years, is in researching
and documenting historic structures for restoration and
adaptive reuse. His focus is the Connecticut Valley.
Lighting fixtures to be removed
and the ill-fitting, inaccurate
front door that needs to be
rebuilt.
10
A key member will be Myron Stachiw, a widely recognized expert in 18th-century New England
houses. Since the early 1970s, Mr. Stachiw has worked in museums and historical agencies such
as Old Sturbridge Village, Colonial Williamsburg, and Historic New England as a curator,
historian, and archaeologist, and he has served as a consultant to numerous state and local
preservation agencies and museums. He has taught in the master’s degree programs in historic
preservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and at Roger Williams University.
Mr. Farmer will add an architect and/or engineer as the assessment progresses
The Assessment team will:
1. Conduct a top to bottom assessment of the existing conditions in the house
2. Write a report to explain changes in condition or different conclusions from the earlier HSR
3. Train staff and volunteers in the history of the house and do a public presentation
4. Provide a detailed list of critical repairs or changes needed, including structural issues
(foundation, sills and framing) and the building envelope (walls and cladding, roofs and roof
drainage, windows and doors), with rough cost estimates.
Repairs
Even before the team begins its work, we are already aware of some of the repairs and changes
required to re-open the house to the public. Douglas Thayer and his crew will complete the work (or
they will hire subcontractors, such as Wade Clement for electrical work, under the guidance of Gregory
Farmer. Specifically, they will:
reinstall the original ceiling in the back (summer) kitchen
remove wiring and track lighting on the first floor
craft a new front door. The present one was made during the last 30 years, is historically
inaccurate and does not fit the frame and lock properly.
We are anticipating additional repairs to windows, floorboards and wallpaper re-attachment. Gregory
Farmer estimated that these repairs would total $10,000, but we won’t know all the specifics until the
team of experts examines the building top to bottom. In addition, we will need regrading work so that
on the front and east side so that water drains away from the building; the cost is probably $2,000.
Timeline
We propose that the assessment begin in April 2020 and all work be complete by December 31. If
repairs to the building require expert restoration craftsmen, we will seek funding support. We do not
anticipate any repairs of this nature that will delay the re-opening of the building.
11
Shepherd House Side Porch Repairs
Total Project Cost: $12,500
Request: $6,250
The Shepherd house, in contrast to the Parsons House,
had relatively few modifications since its construction in
~1797. The existing side porch is consistent with the
house’s style and is likely original to the house. (Photo:
The side porch dates back at least to 1904 and was
probably part of the original house).
As the photos show, the porch is currently failing: the
columns are sinking, sections of the railing and fir flooring
are rotted, and the stairs are damaged by dry rot.
Decades without gutters allowed rainwater and snowmelt
to damage the wooden stairs, flooring, and a 30’ long-
wooden sill.
Earlier this month, Tom Hallissey, a professional carpenter
and home inspector apprentice, examined the porch and
found:
Three ends of the porch (8’ x 30’) sit on a 20th
century cement foundation.
The joists appear to be solid.
The columns and parts of the gooseneck railing
appear to be original, but portions are rotten and
need to be replaced. The 30’ sill facing the driveway requires replacement. The stairs need to be
replaced.
The tongue-n-groove, fir flooring has been repaired multiple times.
In the early 19th century, the Shepherd
House was owned by Asahel Pomeroy, a
well-known local innkeeper and
descendant of Medad Pomeroy,
Northampton’s second blacksmith.
Asahel was the son of Seth Pomeroy, a
blacksmith, gunsmith and Revolutionary
War soldier. The museum holds the anvil
(c. 1650) used by five generations of
Pomeroy blacksmiths. The anvil and a
bear trap and cowbell made by Seth
Pomeroy in the mid-1700s are in Historic
Northampton’s Making it on Main Street
exhibit.
In the mid-1800s, the Shepherd House
was purchased by Susan Lorinda Brigham
Munroe, who was married to Henry
Shepherd. Their son Thomas grew up in
the house and lived there as an adult
with his wife, Edith. In 1883 Thomas
Shepherd, by then a well-known artist,
designed the City seal. Both of he and his
wife were avid history enthusiasts and it’s
thanks to them that Historic
Northampton owns all three of its historic
houses and a 2.5 acre campus.
12
Following the inspection, Douglas Thayer, who regularly has
Tom Hallissey on his crew, submitted a bid to repair and
restore the porch. The work would consist of jacking up the
porch, replacing the wooden sill, replacing and/or repairing
the columns and railing, replacing the side stairs, and
replacing the tongue-n-groove fir flooring. The railing,
columns and flooring would be painted, and a gutter and
downspout would be added to the roof.
The porch is the most frequently used entry for Mass
Humanities staff. During construction, their staff would use
the front or back entrances, so that there would be limited
inconvenience.
Improving Collections Storage: Installing a New Framed Art Rack System
Total Project Cost: $6,500
CPC Request: $3,250
As part of the renovation of the Damon Education Center basement, we installed compact storage and
added a series of special picture rails along one wall to hang Historic Northampton’s framed artwork.
The rail and picture hanging system was designed by Douglas Thayer and completed for much less than
commercially available systems that are typically purchased by museums.
In hanging the artwork, we realized that a single wall (40 linear feet) does not hold all our artwork, and
many paintings remain on the second floor of the Parsons House resting on the floor. Hardly
professional storage!
The Shepherd House in 1904, showing
the side porch and a closer detail of the
stairs, which are still the same.
Framed art stored on the second floor of
Parsons. If this grant is funded, these
items will be properly stored on an art
rack system in a climate-controlled space.
13
To provide proper storage, Douglas Thayer will create a two-sided movable hanging rack system in the
basement of the Damon Education Center.
FEASIBILITY
There is an historic preservation restriction on all Historic Northampton’s buildings; therefore, aspects of
the work proposed in this application are subject to review and approval by the Northampton Historical
Commission.
However, we do not expect objections because we propose no changes in the exterior appearance, and
the work is all repair, replacement or restoration rather than change.
The Historical Commission must also approve any work that may disturb archaeological evidence in the
ground, including any disturbance created by archaeological investigation itself. Once the Historical
Commission grants approval, we are required by state law to apply for a permit from the Massachusetts
State Archaeologist.
GUARANTEES ASSURING LONG-TERM PRESERVATION
Legally there is already a historic preservation restriction on the property. In the year since it has been
in place, our staff has been very ready to discuss all proposed changes with the Historical Commission,
as we value their input beyond the legal requirement. Historic Northampton is an established nonprofit
incorporated in 1905 with a long track record, and it is central to our mission to preserve these
properties.
HOW WILL ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP BE ACCOMPLISHED?
Historic Northampton owns all four buildings so we are responsible for them. We are committed to
working beyond routine maintenance toward preservation and restoration for the long term. There is
no doubt that it is a large financial burden for our nonprofit, and we have been grateful for CPC funds to
assist our private and public fundraising efforts.
WHAT COMMUNITY PRESERVATION CRITERIA DOES THIS PROJECT MEET?
Open Space Criteria
Because of our location at the edge of the downtown, we provide valuable open space in urban
neighborhoods. People frequently use our grounds like a park, chatting on the veranda or in the gazebo,
enjoying the roses or lazing on the grass.
The back yard between the Shepherd House and Barn is used by the Bridge Street School’s “Sprouts”
vegetable gardens. Without our open space, BSS children would not be able to dig and plant the garden,
tend plants and harvest tomatoes, corn, cilantro, radishes and squash.
The barn restoration preserves Northampton’s rural and agricultural character. The barn itself is an
important agricultural building and holds a variety of 19th century agricultural tools (a dray, scythes,
yoke, flax break, cheese press, seeder and many hand tools).
14
Recreational Use Criteria
In a town like Northampton, education and recreation often overlap, and there is a recreational element
to Historic Northampton’s education programs. Specifically:
Our buildings and grounds support multiple active and passive recreation uses
Our programs serve a significant number of residents
With the barn and Parsons House open to the public, we will expand the range of recreational
opportunities available to Northampton residents of all ages because they will be able to
enjoy the spaces and see programs there.
Historic Preservation Criteria
This project meets all five of the Historic Preservation Criteria which are:
1. Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate properties, features or resources of
historical significance
2. Include a focus on the historical function of a property or site
3. Demonstrate eligibility for a Local, State or National Historic Register listing
4. Provide assurance of the ability to maintain the historic resource over the long term
5. Include the granting of a permanent historic preservation restriction or other preservation
guarantee.
Historic Northampton is already listed on the National Historic Register, and the City already holds a
historic preservation restriction on our properties as a result of our previous CPC grants. Maintaining
the properties over the long term is central to our mission as a museum. This project restores
properties of historical significance and focuses on the historical function of our buildings and on our
collections. It opens them to the public.
GENERAL CRITERIA
1. Serves more than one CPA program area.
The project meets all criteria under Historic Preservation, several under Recreational Use, and one or
two under Open Space, as discussed above.
2. Contributes to the preservation of Northampton’s unique character, boosts the vitality of the
community, and enhances the quality of life for its residents.
Shepherd House (with barn), Parsons House and Damon House, located along Bridge Road on their
original sites ARE historic Northampton. Just by passing by them as they enter the city, visitors and
residents sense the historic and educational vitality of the town. Other aspects of how we fulfill this
criterion is described most completely above under Recreational Use. The education programs planned
about how we are preserving these buildings, and their availability to the public, enhance the quality of
life here.
3. Addresses recommendations contained in the Sustainable Northampton comprehensive plan
and/or the Northampton Open Space and Recreation Plan, or is consistent with other city-wide
planning efforts that have received broad-based scrutiny and input and can demonstrate wide
community support.
Sustainable Northampton recommends that the city should protect and preserve heritage resources,
specifically, that it should protect heritage resources from degradation or destruction by public or
15
private actions or inactions. We are protecting historic resources that contribute to the city’s unique
character in that they are major landmarks noticed by anyone approaching or leaving the eastern end of
downtown on Route 9. Our three contiguous properties have been recognized as a Historic District on
the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to the buildings themselves, this “heritage resource”
also includes the extensive artifacts and documents housed in them.
4. Saves resources that would otherwise be threatened.
Without constant vigilance and the repairs and restoration requested here, both Parsons House and the
Barn would be threatened. These are historic resources that Historic Northampton has stewarded for
seventy years and now needs funds to continue preservation.
5. Serves under-served populations
Historic Northampton is a museum for all Northampton. We strive to reach under-served populations
through school programs and by offering topics which are not the typical fare of local historical societies.
We have recently offered local Native American history and exhibitions on the history of slavery as
related to Northampton. We believe that we must “tell the whole story” about Northampton history.
For example, we will say that enslaved persons most certainly walked on the Parsons property and that
Shays Rebellion and abolition must have been discussed in its kitchen and parlor.
6. Places high value on sustainable, ecologically responsible, energy-conserving structures, locations,
and materials; demonstrates that the project minimized the ecological footprint.
We are committed to using timbers (white oak) harvested from western Mass and in re-using materials
that can be repaired. We will be improving energy efficiency through additional insulation, upgrading
lighting systems so that they are LED and efficient. We will be assessing plumbing in Shepherd House to
conserve water.
7. Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and/or departments.
See the attached letters and recent newspaper articles.
8. Leverages additional public and/or private funds or demonstrates that other funding sources are
not readily available or sufficient.
We have earmarked $50,000 from our private funds to complete this project. For all our projects and
general operations, we are continually seeking grants and donations for our work. We have just
received a SHRAB (State Historic Records Advisory Board) grant to help us organize our archives, and we
hope to receive a grant from the Beveridge Foundation to improve for climate control in our storage
areas. With CPC funds for these projects, we believe we would be well positioned to receive funds from
the Massachusetts Historical Commission grant programs.
Historic Northampton is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit governed by Boards of Trustees. We maintain our
property, own physical collections and serve the whole public. We perform functions that in many other
states and localities are the responsibility of government, but we receive no regular funding from state,
local and federal governments. There is no City oversight and we have no City appropriation to help
with the operating budget.
9. Demonstrates a high benefit/cost value.
All the major initiatives within this project demonstrate a high benefit/cost value. We have pulled
together great teams; many of the individuals have worked on our property in the past. We have
requested that they all conduct public presentations of their work. In short, we aren’t simply
16
preserving the structures, we are involving the public in learning about preservation techniques and
then opening the buildings to the public.
10. Can be implemented expeditiously and within budget.
Our timetable and budget are based on close work with contractors who have seen or worked on our
buildings. We know them to be accurate estimators of time and budget. Gregory Farmer, the historic
building consultant we plan to use, has visited the buildings twice within the last few weeks and many
times in decades past.
A Successful Project Conclusion
Success will be measured in two ways: first, by the public enjoyment and education in the Barn and
Parsons House, and second, by the long-term preservation of the structures held in trust for future
generation of Northampton residents and visitors.
17
18
BUDGET for Restoring & Re-Opening Shepherd Barn to the Public
Contractor Task Expense HN Share
CPC
Request
Gregory Farmer
Historical Expert/Owner's Project
Manager 10,000 5,000 5,000
Gregory Walwer ACS-Archaeological Analysis 7,471 3736 3,734
Douglas Thayer
Labor (Site work, Roof Repair, Doors,
etc.) 70,000 70,000
Douglas Thayer Materials + Permits 15,400 7,700 7,700
Alicia Spence Timber work 40,200 40,200
Flannery Peak Performance--slate work 1,000 500 500
Bill Macewicz Plumbing 5,000 5,000
Wade Clement Electrical 12,000 12,000
Douglas Thayer Bathroom Rebuild 12,500 12,500
Douglas Thayer Trash 1,500 7,200 1,500
Spaces for Rent Storage 1,500 1,500
Alicia Spence Scaffolding or Fork Lift Rental 5,000 5,000
Historic Northampton Cleaning & Painting 13,300 13,300
TOTALS 194,871 22,000 163,134
BUDGET for Assessing Conditions, Restoring & Re-opening Parsons House
to the Public
Contractor Task Expense HN
Share
CPC
Request
Greg Farmer Team
Preservation Assessment Report $25,000 $12,500 $12,500
Douglas Thayer
Design
Carpentry repairs & tasks $5,000 $2,500 $2,500
Wade Clement
Electrical
Electrical $5,000 $2,500 $2,500
Landscaping Firm
TBD
Grading & Drainage Improvements $2,000 $1,000 $1,000
TOTALS $37,000 $18,500 $18,500
BUDGETS for Shepherd House Side Porch Repairs & Artwork Storage System
Contractor Task Expense
HN
Share
CPC
Share
Douglas Thayer Design
Shepherd House Side Porch Repairs $12,500 $6,250 $6,250
Artwork Storage System $6,500 $3,250 $3,250
19
SUMMARY BUDGET FOR ALL PROPOSED PROJECTS
Task Expense HN Share CPC Share
Shepherd Barn: Restoration & Improvements $194,871 22,000 163,134
Parsons House: Assessment & Repairs 37,000 18,500 18,500
Shepherd House: Historical Porch Restoration 12,500 6,250 6250
Art System Rack 6,500 3,250 3250
TOTALS $250,871 50,000 191,134
20
APPENDIX 1
Major Capital Projects Completed Since 2014 at Historic Northampton
(* Denotes CPC funding; all other projects funded by grants and private contributions)
The listed repairs and improvements addressed serious, long-deferred maintenance issues at all four
historic structures and improved the appearance of Historic Northampton’s campus.
Damon House (1813)
Repaired leaking chimney, added new roof & gutters*
Replaced and/or repaired second floor windows*
Replaced rotten sill and replaced rotten bulkhead*
Renovated basement storage, with improvements to walls, humidity and temperature and
storage for artifacts*
Added new, historically accurate balustrade over front entry*
Painted exterior of building with historically accurate colors
Added new wooden shutters
Installed insulative panels on 2nd floor for climate control
Repaired & painted interior offices; added critical new equipment
Damon Education Center (1986)
Completed full renovation of basement storage, including addressing historical flooding
problems & installing a new, more secure oil tank*
Installed compact storage & dehumidification system that maintains professional climate
conditions
Installed new major exhibit, Making it on Main Street, which included a new addition, lighting,
carpeting, display cases and audio system
Installed solar panels on roof and switched to entirely renewable energy
Parsons House (1719)
Completed critical stabilization of structure, including new sills along the back of the building,
partial basement, new bulkhead and a reconstructed side porch*
Added new gutters *
Removed knob & tube wiring and upgraded to current electrical codes*
Completed major renovation and improvements to collections storage areas in basement*
Removed asbestos in basement & boiler*
Installed new gas boiler
Completed thorough interior cleaning, top to bottom
Completed a professional archaeological dig, which also included a public component and
engaged school children and dozens of volunteers from the community
Scraped, prepped and painted the exterior
21
Shepherd House
Completed critical masonry repairs to stone foundation to prevent water entry*
Repaired and/or replaced rotting lally columns and added new concrete pads under existing
posts to provide critical structural support*
Removed asbestos in basement*
Upgraded electrical system to meet code and correct violations;*
Improved the roof (new slates, new centerline, removed failed skylight) and added new gutter
system*
Installed a dehumidification system in basement
Cleaned basement
Improved existing plumbing
Shepherd Barn
Completed critical improvements to gutters, roof, corner post and critical repairs to stabilize the
structure;*
Conducted dendrochronology study to determine age*
Conducted major cleaning and reorganization to interior
Removed important collections items and placed better quality storage.
Grounds
Redesigned and repaved parking lot & driveway entry to address serious flooding problem and
improve safety conditions
Installed new fencing along Graves Avenue border
Painted fence along Bridge Street (“Good Neighbors Paint Good Fences”)
Re-roofed, repaired and repainted gazebo; installed new, dark-sky lighting
Continued improvements to address overgrown vegetation and beautify the grounds; added
picnic tables for public use
This list includes only the major projects completed at Historic Northampton. Many other smaller tasks
have also been completed between 2014-2019.