Sharon Historical Commission
And
Sharon Historic District Commission
Sharon, Massachusetts
Preliminary Study Report for the Creation of Historic District III
Introduction:
Our community has been very active in looking at future growth and development with an eye towards increasing, and preserving much of the natural and abundant beauty of Sharon. Sometimes the historical makeup of the Town is overlooked but certainly not forgotten. Civic leaders as well as townsfolk often make public statements in favor of maintaining a certain charm and lifestyle that is definitely unique to Sharon.
In recent years the Town has had to participate in both carefully crafted planning ideas and busy itself with many hours of research on ways in which to improve the quality of life and at the same time preserve some of the historical nature of things of which we are so proud. While Sharon’s role in American History and culture are often touted, some of the historic properties in Town are neglected.
The Sharon Historic District Commission, in its desire to bring a third historical district to the citizens of Sharon, hopes to identify a unique area that, if preserved and maintained, will enhance the future growth and development of our community with dignity and allow generations to come to enjoy the present and past of Sharon’s distinct charm.
Page -2-
Methodology:
We have identified an area for preservation in the Town Center which includes two historic structures with unique and award winning period construction along with a parcel of town owned land that was donated by a generous man to be preserved as a sanctuary in tribute to his wife and in appreciation for the memories of Sharon’s fresh air, hospitality, and summer vacation allure of a bygone era. The entire area identified for a proposed third historic district is completely Town owned property. It will have no direct effect on private property with the possible exception of accelerating the value of nearby residences.
In the careful carving of the character for this third historic district, the intent of this Commission was to preserve, save from further decay and maintain for future generations the Charles R. Wilber School (sometimes referred to in Town documents and reports as the Wilber Municipal Building), the Pleasant Street School, and Kate Morrell Park. It is also the intent of this Commission not to restrict use of the properties or impinge upon any other Town Board regarding the use or development of said properties with the exception of the Kate Morrell Park, which has certain stipulations placed upon the Town not by this Commission, but by the Grantor. Creation of an Historic District recognizes the significance of land, structures, landmarks, etc
The creation of this Third Historic District will neither be a financial burden to the Town of Sharon presently or in the future, nor will it prohibit expansion or development by the municipality, not for profit ventures or even private and commercial uses. Under the provisions of the Historic Districts Act, Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40C, the edifices and land which comprise the District would have limited preservation restrictions protecting the beauty and significance of existing structures to be appreciated by future generations. In point of fact, the Wilber School has already been indicated in a reviewing survey prepared in 1990 that the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has determined that this building is eligible for individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places. As defined by the aforementioned state law, this third historic district would be eligible not only for recognition by the Commonwealth, but as a National Historic District; thus making the entire area eligible for additional development and grant monies through the state and federal government as well as other not for profit agencies that engage in encouraging localities to safeguard properties of an historic nature.
It should also be noted that other Town Boards, Commissions and Departments have, over the years, been involved with projects specifically involving the Wilber School where time after time reuse and rehabilitation have come in as financially viable (and more often than not at substantial savings to the cost of demolition and building new).
Page -3-
Significance:
As noted previously, the Wilber School, which is the larger parcel of the proposed third historic district, has had tremendous historical value to the Town. The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has determined the historical and architectural significance on more than one occasion. A large percentage of the Town’s living citizens went to this facility in one of its iterations – as a grammar, junior or senior high school. The building and its grounds also served as a town gathering area and the auditorium was employed for many town functions, including children’s Saturday matinee movies. The yard was once used for an annual town meeting; townspeople met under a tent when it was estimated that a crowd of more than 800 people were planning on attending. The old Town Hall could only accommodate a maximum of 250 voters. Interestingly, the Article which stirred so many to turn out was a call to appropriate money for a new high school; a 2/3 majority being needed, the Article was defeated by 10 votes.
It should be noted that the Town recently dedicated a bridge in memory of the only known soldier from Sharon killed during the Viet Nam Conflict. This is notable as a reminder that the namesake of the Wilber School, Charles R. Wilber, was the only known casualty from Sharon in the First World War.
The original Charles R. Wilber School (1922, Architects: Monks and Johnson) and the major addition (1929, Architects: Doane and Holland) are of the Colonial Revival style, contrasting it with other, more recent, town owned buildings. The Town of Sharon is predominantly residential in character and there are no commercial or industrial buildings of this style. Buildings of similar structure can be found in neighboring Canton, Easton, Mansfield, Norwood and Stoughton. Each of these towns has put forth much effort to the creation of preservation measures to keep these treasures in perpetuity – all with varying uses. Unique to the Wilber School, it received special recognition for its architectural quality and craftsmanship after the latter addition.
On June 22, 1920 a Special Town Meeting was held ad the following was recorded: Voted: that the Town hereby takes in fee for the purpose of erecting thereon a building to be used for a public school, the following described parcel of land, together with the buildings, walls, trees, and improvements thereon, namely: the entire parcel of land in the Town of Sharon, bounded by South Main Street, Chestnut Street, South Pleasant Street and Station Street. The owners of the said parcel(s) are:
Estate of George C. Morrell, Boston Safe Deposit-Trust Company, Ttee,
Ella L. Gillespie,
Foxboro Savings Bank,
Rachel Greenfield,
Edith C. Meister and Olive F. Meister,
Alice M. Morse,
Ella F. Coolidge,
Rita M. Greenfield
Page -4-
In 1990 the MHC reviewed a survey and indicated that the Wilber School is eligible for individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places. It is considered to have local significance under National Register Criteria for Evaluation “A” and “C”, for its association or linkage to local events important in the past and as a representative of the manmade expression of culture and technology. There have been no major alterations to the site and it sits prominently in the town center on South Main Street. The building is considered by MHC to retain its integrity of setting, location, design, feeling, association, materials and workmanship. The Historic District Commission feels that upon examination by MHC the Pleasant Street School and the Morrell Park will garner opinions of similar value and integrity.
Because the Wilber School is eligible for listing on the National Register, provisions of Chapter 34 of the Massachusetts Building Code allowing repair or in-kind replacement of building systems will apply. This is another strong rationale supporting the creation of this District. In addition to matching grants from the Commonwealth, administered through the Secretary of State’s office and with the support of MHC, federal grants are also available. Certain restrictive building code requirements for new construction may not be imposed upon the buildings in an Historic District. For example, repair or in-kind replacement of existing historic windows is permitted without requiring energy code compliance.
The following information regarding the establishment of the Morrell Park grounds is taken from the 1914 Annual Report for the Town of Sharon. George C. Morrell, the benefactor, was a summer resident of Sharon. He came with his family from Boston to enjoy the curative air and relaxing lifestyle.
Appearing on page twelve was information from Town Meeting which was held on March 2, 1914. ARTICLE 25th. To see if the Town will accept the gift to the Town by Mr. George C. Morrell of a lot of land in Sharon (to be named ”The Kate A. Morrell Memorial Park”) situated on Pine Road and Forest Road, near the High School Building, containing 46,200 square feet, for Park purposes, upon the terms and conditions named by him, or act in any way relating thereto. Recommended: This is a most generous offer on behalf of our fellow townsman, and heartily recommend its acceptance and that a rising vote of thanks be extended to the donor.
Page -5-
VOTED. That the town accept the gift of George C. Morrell of a lot of land in Sharon on Pine Road and Forest Road near the High School building, containing 46, 200 square feet, for Park purposes, upon the conditions named to him, viz: That the Town beautify the land by grading, leveling and laying out walks and planting thereon shade and ornamental trees and shrubs and placing on said land a suitable number of metal or stone settees to be used by the townspeople for the purpose of rest and recreation. It being expressly provided
that the said lot of land shall never be occupied nor used as a playground for baseball, football, lawn tennis nor any other game or sports whatever, the same to be known as “The Kate A. Morrell Park.”
ARTICLE 26th. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to be expended on the Kate A. Morrell Memorial Park. Recommended: We recommend an appropriation of $200, to properly begin an approved plan of development.
VOTED. To raise and appropriate $200 for the purposes of improving the Kate A. Morrell Park.
The High School mentioned in the Articles to approve the acceptance of The Kate A. Morrell Park would later become to be known as the Pleasant Street School. A limited high school was established on November 6, 1877, meeting first at the Institute, then in the vestry of the Congregational Church and then finally at Town Hall. When the High Street School was occupied in 1899, space became available in the Centre School which was located on School Street. The first permanent structure to house a Sharon High School was built when in March, 1909, Sharon voters appropriated $3,400 for the site on South Pleasant Street and an additional $20,000 to construct and equip a new High School. The imposing wooden structure, built in the Colonial Revival style, delighted the Committee as “commodious, well-heated, well-lighted…a magnificent proof of the confidence of the citizens in the school.”
Twenty years later this building became obsolete for the purposes of serving as a high school and the addition to the Charles R. Wilber School was built. Voters approved this decisive measure a mere seven years after the original structure opened. High school students entered the remodeled Wilber School for the 1929-1930 academic year, while the official dedication took place later, in April of 1930.
At times the Pleasant Street School was used as an elementary school and as a junior high school. It went out of service as a junior high in 1966 when a new school was built on Mountain Street. For about fourteen years it was used for overflow of students, housing 5th and 6th graders, before it was no longer in the service of the school district.
According to the 1980 Town Report…Proposition 21/2, with its funding limitations, has necessitated the reorganization of the school system. We must close the Intermediate (Wilber) and Pleasant Street schools and reassign fifth grade youngsters to the three elementary schools and the sixth grade to the Junior High. Thus the school use of the Pleasant Street School ended in June of 1981.
Page -6-
In December of 1981, officials of the Commonwealth, after discussing alternatives with the Sharon Housing Authority, approved the closed Pleasant Street School as the most desirable site for six units of family housing. In February of 1982 the Sharon School Committee voted to relinquish control of the building to the Town, thus paving the way for the Sharon Housing Authority to use this as a valuable community resource as it remains today.
Street Address Index:
The properties to be included in the Town of Sharon Historic District III are located at 75 South Main Street (Charles R. Wilbur School), and 21 South Pleasant Street (Pleasant Street School and Kate Morrell Park).
According to the Board of Assessors office in the Town of Sharon, 75 South Main Street is located on Street Map 91-252. 21 South Pleasant Street is located on Street Map 101-172.
Page -7-
Justification of Boundaries:
Exhibit A is a map prepared by the Town Engineer’s office. Please note that the spelling of the Wilber School on the map is incorrect and that the building identified as the School Administration Building is the Pleasant Street School Building (the current School Administration Building is located on School Street).
The proposed boundaries for Historic District III would comprise the entire block of the Wilber School which is bounded on the north by Station Street, on the east by South Main Street, on the south by Chestnut Street and on the west by South Pleasant Street. This is a total of 3.7 acres. Across from the northwest section of this block are the two contiguous parcels of land that comprise the Pleasant Street School and Kate Morrell Park. This is bounded on the north by Forest Road (which is a dead end street), to the east is Station Street and South Pleasant Street, on the south side is Pine Road and the west is bordered by two parcels of land which are privately owned. There is a private residence on one parcel and on the other is a small shed in the southeasterly section of the property. This land comprises a total of 2.13 acres. The entire proposed District is exclusively Town owned properties.
Presently there are two Historic Districts within the Town of Sharon. The first District, which encompasses a small area of the Town Center, includes public buildings, houses of worship and private homes. The second District contains only the property of Cobb’s Tavern and is itself on the Massachusetts Register and the National Register. This proposed District is entirely made up of public lands, all of which is Town owned and the management of one (Pleasant Street School) falls under the jurisdiction of the Sharon Housing Authority.
While there are many significant structures worthy of consideration for the distinction of inclusion in an Historic District, it was felt that the importance of historic preservation for the properties listed was so urgent that it would be more practical not to include privately owned properties. Additionally, these properties together represent a significant shared history of time, context, usage, architectural achievement, and resource. Thus these boundaries were selected because of the shared history of educating generations of Sharon youth, the shared history of providing community meeting space, a shared history of architectural marvel for the time periods. These boundaries are easily measured with the use of Town maps and records as well as records of the Registrar of Deeds and consist of approximately six (6) acres. These boundaries encompass but in no way exceed the extent of significant resources and land.
Page -8-
Recommendations for the Bylaw:
To see if the Town will vote to amend its General By-Laws by amending Section 2 of Article 18. Historic District Commission and Historic District by establishing an Historic District Number Three under the provisions of the Historic Districts Acts, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40C, Section 3. Said District is bounded and described as follows:
Historic District Number 3: The land shown on a plan entitled “Proposed Sharon Historic District Three” by the Town of Sharon Department of Public Works Engineering Division dated March 19, 2004, filed in the office of the Town Clerk, and comprising the parcels labeled on said plan “75 South Main Street (Charles R. Wilbur School) and 21 South Pleasant Street (Pleasant Street School and Kate Morrell Park.”
Or to take any other action relative thereto.
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Summary:
In seeking to define the boundaries of a third Historic District in Sharon, the Sharon Historic District Commission is hoping to preserve three significant properties and protect two buildings which represent not only classical and for their time, award winning architectural designs, but hold important keys to the collective memory of the Town. Our desire to work with the Planning Board, the Board of Selectmen, and other elected and appointed Town Boards is born out of a commitment to work together to preserve historically significant properties, enhance the beauty of our Town spaces, increase economic opportunity, take advantage of significant grant, loan and favorable tax status, as well as maintaining the tremendous quality of life that the present and future citizens of Sharon come to expect.
Our anticipated date for a Public Hearing is on or about April 28, 2004. The expected date for Town Meeting is May 3, 2004.
Historic District Commission (Study Committee) Members:
Shirley A. Schofield, Chair Gordon H. Hughes, Vice Chair
W. Reese Schroeder Robert S. Young
David A. Martin Marie E. Cuneo Deborah G. Pitman
For more information regarding this proposal contact:
Robert S. Young
Sharon Historical Commission
P.O. Box 107
Sharon, MA 02067-0107
(781) 784-9479 FAX (781) 784-6064
E-mail: robtsyoung@aol.com
Preliminary Study Report for the Creation of
Historic District III
January, 2004
{Updated as of April 7, 2004}
Town of Sharon
Historical Commission
&
Historic District Commission
Shirley A. Schofield, Chair
Gordon H. Hughes, Vice Chair
Robert S. Young
David A. Martin
Deborah G. Pitman
W. Reese Schroeder
Marie E. Cuneo
Brent Gundlah