PEMBROKE HISTORIC TRANSPLANT PROGRAM
In Pembroke, Massachusetts and in towns throughout New England, 17th, 18th and 19th century-built residences and buildings are being demolished to make way for new residential construction and commercial development. In Pembroke alone, an average of 3 to 4 such demolitions are sought each year. Likely occurring at the same rate across New England, these representations of our shared history are disappearing at an alarming rate. The Pembroke Historic District - Historical Commission (The Commission) endeavors to save these edifices wherever possible: sadly, many threatened structures lie outside of Pembroke’s two historic Chapter 40C districts making them vulnerable to demolition.
Faced with the imminent destruction of physical representations of our New England history and traditions, an effort is underway to preserve and “transplant” these cherished symbols of our collective past. The Commission, in cooperation with the Pembroke Historical Society (The Society), has begun to salvage select items and fixtures from historic buildings prior to their demolition. Examples include original doors, windows and fireplace mantels. Unfortunately, limited storage space and preservation resources preclude the Commission or Society from storing these artifacts. Pursuant to the newly formed Pembroke Historic Transplant Program (PHTP), historic salvaged items will be documented, recorded and made available at no charge to eligible applicants for the use, re-installation and “transplantation” to another historic home and which would be enhanced by the installation of said items.
The PHTP will document and post each salvaged item at the Pembroke Historical Society website (www.PembrokeHistoricalSociety.org) at which residents of Pembroke and other South Shore communities [1] can find replacement fixtures. After establishing and recording the items provenance and photographing its condition, items will be listed at the website. When the item “finds a new home” that, too, will be documented and recorded. While there is no cost to acquire these historic fixtures, the cost of restoration and installation is exclusively that of the eligible property owner to whom it is granted. Please help spread the good word of this resource and preserve our New England history.
[1] Preference will be given to those transplanting salvaged items into residences or buildings within Pembroke, MA. Applicants from other South Shore, MA towns will also be considered. Preference will also be given to applicants who intend to commemorate the item’s history or original owner. Items are not to be resold and if removed must be returned exclusively to the Pembroke Historic Transplant Project for subsequent “rehoming.”
Faced with the imminent destruction of physical representations of our New England history and traditions, an effort is underway to preserve and “transplant” these cherished symbols of our collective past. The Commission, in cooperation with the Pembroke Historical Society (The Society), has begun to salvage select items and fixtures from historic buildings prior to their demolition. Examples include original doors, windows and fireplace mantels. Unfortunately, limited storage space and preservation resources preclude the Commission or Society from storing these artifacts. Pursuant to the newly formed Pembroke Historic Transplant Program (PHTP), historic salvaged items will be documented, recorded and made available at no charge to eligible applicants for the use, re-installation and “transplantation” to another historic home and which would be enhanced by the installation of said items.
The PHTP will document and post each salvaged item at the Pembroke Historical Society website (www.PembrokeHistoricalSociety.org) at which residents of Pembroke and other South Shore communities [1] can find replacement fixtures. After establishing and recording the items provenance and photographing its condition, items will be listed at the website. When the item “finds a new home” that, too, will be documented and recorded. While there is no cost to acquire these historic fixtures, the cost of restoration and installation is exclusively that of the eligible property owner to whom it is granted. Please help spread the good word of this resource and preserve our New England history.
[1] Preference will be given to those transplanting salvaged items into residences or buildings within Pembroke, MA. Applicants from other South Shore, MA towns will also be considered. Preference will also be given to applicants who intend to commemorate the item’s history or original owner. Items are not to be resold and if removed must be returned exclusively to the Pembroke Historic Transplant Project for subsequent “rehoming.”
Application to Claim a Recycled Architectural Item from the Catalog
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Agreement to Donate a Recycled Architectural Item to the Program
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If you are interested in claiming or donating a Recycled Architectural Item, complete the relevant application above and return to:
By Email to Pembroke Historical Society Research Director, Miles Prescott at [email protected]
By U.S. Mail to Pembroke Historic Transplant Program c/o Pembroke Historic District - Historical Commission
100 Center Street Pembroke, MA 02359
By Email to Pembroke Historical Society Research Director, Miles Prescott at [email protected]
By U.S. Mail to Pembroke Historic Transplant Program c/o Pembroke Historic District - Historical Commission
100 Center Street Pembroke, MA 02359