Phillipston Historical Society building moving to new site

Phillipston Historical Society building moving to new site

Official calls relocation of 164-year-old former church a 'win-win'
Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer
PHILLIPSTON — The Phillipston Historical Society’s building — a 164-year-old former church — will soon be moved to a new home at 80 State Road.

“This will be a history-making event, not only for our historical society but also for our town,” said Linda Langevin, the society’s president. “This is such a major opportunity for growth for the Historical Society of Phillipston.”

The historical society has operated out of the former church, now located at 50 State Road, for several years. The area surrounding the society, however, has since come under the ownership of Brookside Equipment.


In June, the company offered to move the historical society’s building at no charge to a plot of land the company is providing. Brookside will also construct a foundation for the structure — something it does not currently have.

“It’s a win-win situation for the fire station and historical society and for Brookside Equipment,” Ms. Langevin said at the time the plan was announced. “Brookside will be able to have this section of land that is right at their entrance, and we’ll be centrally located in town, right next to fire station, so they will never have to worry about that commercial land being sold.”

Since that time, the society has been obtaining permits for the move from the state Department of Transportation — since the building will be traveling on a state road — and from the town.

“It has been a very long time in coming, but we are so very excited that this will be accomplished within the next few weeks,” Ms. Langevin said.

A moving company will be taking the building from 50 State Road to 80 State Road on Nov. 21, with the following day set as the rain date. During the move, northbound traffic on the road will detour left onto Baldwinville Road, right onto Athol Road and then back onto Route 2A.

All of the society’s possessions will remain inside the building during the move.

“The moving company assured us that will not be a problem,” Ms. Langevin said. “The building will move so slow and gradually that things might shake, but anything is secured.”

The new location is roughly three times the size of the society’s current address, and will allow for the addition of restrooms, a well and a septic system.

Ms. Langevin said the society plans to solicit grants and conduct fundraisers to afford the new additions.

Since the heating system is not set up for the building the society will not reopen until the spring. Ms. Langevin anticipates a late April opening.

Despite its age and storied past, Ms. Langevin said the society’s building was never designated as part of the National Register of Historic Places. While the structure’s physical move may eliminate any chance of its being able to receive such a designation, she said it is a worthwhile step.

“The move is so positive for us, it’s worth having lost the potential for that designation,” she said. “We hope there are other avenues for obtaining grants. We just need to get in touch with a person that might be able to guide us in the process of obtaining grants.”

 

Preparations are made for the relocation of the Phillipston Historical Society’s building, recently.