Southbridge Historical Commission - Dec 2002 Update
During the year 2000, the Historical Commission were looking for a way to recognize the work done by some property owners to improve the façades of some historic properties in the downtown area. In keeping with the mission and purpose of encouraging preservation, conservation and restoration the group was seeking a way to formally commend the tireless work being put into some buildings around town.These buildings were contributing to the physical improvement of the downtown area thus arresting the urban blight.After some deliberation, the Commission devised a set of guidelines that would effectively become the
Well Maintained Historic Property Awards.

 

The buildings being considered for the award would be located in the town of Southbridge.

The building had to be more than fifty years old.

The property would have significantly contributed to the physical improvement of the community.

The property would need to be restored or maintained to the style and character of the period when the house was built.
 
 

The official name for the awards was not devised until 2002, proposed by Steven Brady.
 
 
 

2000 Well Maintained Historic Property Award, Southbridge :
 
 

  398-400 Main Street – Gabriel McCarthy and Margaret Morrissey

 
 
 
 

2001 Well Maintained Historic Property Award, Southbridge
 

       64 South Street: Nicholas and Lori Slepchuk

       561 South Street: Richard Harwood and Helen Graf Harwood

       42 Edward Street:Scott and Madelyn Burden

        236 Main Street: Jacob Edwards Library
 
 

2002 Well Maintained Historic Property Award, Southbridge
 
 

     Single Family:

      62 Elm Street:  Larry Boutillette and Maria Colon This house was built for Jacob Booth a local merchant.  For proper maintenance of a historic  building

      23 Oakes Avenue: Raymond Beaudreault For proper maintenance of a historic building
 
 
 

  Multi Family:

   67 South Street: John Phipps and Denise Leveille Phipps For restoration and renovation of the façade of the building.
 

  Commercial Category:

   14 South Street: Gabriel McCarthy and Margaret Morrissey

   For restoration and renovation work done to maintain and enhance the building’s original features.

  270 Main Street: Savers Bank – built 1871 for restoration and renovation work to the Ammidown building. This major renovation  restored elements such as the dormer windows on the top floor, and the removal of a mid-twentieth century store front.

 
Any property owner who wishes to have their historic building recorded on the Massachusetts Historic Register can obtain forms from the following link on the state web site:

 

http://www.state.ma.us/sec/mhc/mhcpdf/formb.pdf
 

To learn more information about the Massachusetts Preservation Program:

http://www.state.ma.us/sec/mhc/mhchpp/hppidx.htm

Massachusetts Historical Commission Homepage:
 
 

http://www.state.ma.us/sec/mhc/mhcidx.htm
 

Information submitted by Margaret Morrissey on behalf of the Southbridge Historical Commission, December 20th, 2002  41 Elm Street, Southbridge, MA 01550