FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nancy Urbschat
Pro Springfield Media
P: 413.787.0758
F: 413.730.6689
E: nancy@tsmdesign.com

Look up, Springfield
Guided architectural walking tours premiere on Thursday, May 16 at noon.

Springfield, Massachusetts (May 7, 2013): Pro Springfield Media, in partnership with the Springfield Preservation Trust, will host “Look Up, Springfield” a series of FREE guided walking tours of downtown Springfield’s historic architecture. There will be five lunchtime tours in all. Each will begin at Monarch Place Plaza at 12:00pm sharp and lasting until 12:45pm. The first walking tour will be held on Thursday, May 16. Subsequent tours, June through September, will be held on the third Thursday of each month. Rain or shine.

Truly appreciating a city’s architecture requires getting out, walking around and looking up.
What better way to get to know Springfield and its amazing architecture than a guided walk with an expert tour guide. The first tour, on May 16, will feature Mattoon Street and Apremont Triangle.

According to tour guide and 36-year Mattoon Street Historic District resident, Bob McCarroll, “Mattoon Street features brick Victorians on both sides of a brick-lined street as well as an HH Richardson-designed church. Apremont Triangle has an interesting history. At one time, it was home to a Rolls Royce distributorship and other high-end retailers. ”

Participants are invited to upload their pictures of the tour at http://www.facebook.com/prospringfieldmedia.

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Details of Tour Series

What “Look Up Springfield,” a FREE series of guided walking architectural tours in downtown Springfield, MA
Where Arrive at Monarch Place Plaza at 12:00pm sharp. Get a map of Monarch Place here. Get driving directions to Monarch Place here. Just show up!
When May 16, 12:00pm – 12:45pm. Featuring Mattoon Street and Apremont Triangle
June 20, 12:00pm – 12:45pm. Featuring State Street and Quadrangle
July 18, 12:00pm – 12:45pm. Featuring Court Square
August 15, 12:00pm – 12:45pm. Featuring North Blocks (Lyman to Bridge)
September 19, 12:00pm – 12:45pm. Featuring South Blocks (State to Union)

Bob McCarroll holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William and Mary and a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from Rutgers University. Between 1972 and 2002, he worked in the Springfield Planning Department with historic preservation as one of his responsibilities. Now retired, Bob serves on the Springfield Historical Commission and on the board of the Springfield Preservation Trust. He coordinates the annual Mattoon Street Arts Festival, the region’s oldest arts and crafts show. He and neighbor Erica Walch are promoters of Springfield as a great place to live through their volunteer web site http://www.ChooseSpringfieldMass.com.

Pro Springfield Media is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to changing the conversation about Springfield, MA through initiatives and events that highlight and elevate the positive attributes that define our city. It’s a small but critical step toward a stronger, more vibrant Springfield.

The Springfield Preservation Trust is the non-profit/non-government advocate group for historic preservation in Springfield. Its mission to preserve and protect properties in Springfield, Massachusetts that have architectural, historic, educational, or general cultural significance for public edification and enjoyment.

Best,
Pat Barnes
ProSpringfield Media

If you would like photos and history of the estate and Deerfoot Farms, please email me at my personal address or through the Southborough Historical Society at info@southboroughhistory.org.

As an aside, President Garfield never visited the home, but Grover Cleveland visited with Edward Burnett at his home which was located across the reservoir. He even used it as his campaign headquarters in the part of Massachusetts. He very likely visited Joseph & Josephine Burnett at the stone house as well. The Garfield’s, as mentioned in a previous reply, purchased the property in 1947 long after James Garfield’s untimely death by an assassin in July of 1881, just 4 months after his inauguration.

A rectangular footprint of a very old house is visible from the basement. The rear and right sills (now basement beams) show ancient evidence of foundation contact completing a rectangular footprint under the front of the “L” shaped house. The perimeter of the walls rising from that sill perimeter are timber framed with brick infill, a “high end” practice in the 1600′s (largely ended by the 1700′s) and covered with sheathing and “Clayboards”. The more Georgian “L” running back from the street is entirely without brick infill. Needless to say, interest piqued! Joseph Neal seems to have done a massive Georgian renovation of the house around 1729. No argument. But what happened to the old house? Apparently it hides inside!

Some research using Felt’s mid-nineteenth century “Annals of Salem” gives some clues. Richard Croade, from whose widow Neal purchased the house (? on details of transaction or if another owned it between), moved to Salem from Boston prior to 1676. Probate records show that in 1676 he and a neighbor, Edward Flint handled the estate inventory for John Kitchen, then a recently deceased abutter to the rear of the house. When he arrived, it is recorded that he purchased an existing house and obtained a taverner’s license from Salem.

Why do I believe that the current house contains this original house? The physical framing and brickwork in the walls were a hint. Then I found in the Annals of Salem a list every fire from 1626 through the 19th century. No mention of this house. When I say list of fires, I mean every shed, barn, house, etc. I don’t think this large fancy house on Essex street would have slipped by under the radar. In short, I can’t say how old this house is, but in my opinion, evidence indicates it is much older than 1729. And this was at a stage of our history when 30 or 40 years was the difference between Medieval and Enlightenment.

I know, a lot of info. I have put a bit of thought into it. But if I’m right, a solid piece of Salem History is hiding quietly, and would love to see the light of day.

The writer may have confiused Old South Meeting House with Old North Church – that steeple has come down twice following major storms.

We hope that the entry can be corrected – thanks very much.