Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 2106 A Tale of Two Barns: Before and After

Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 2106

September 2013

Dear DHS Members and Supporters:

Restoration of the Clapp Family Barn is almost complete!

But we have one s[h]ingle thing left to do:  reshingle the exterior before the snow flies.

WILL YOU HELP?

Thanks to the generosity of Dorchester residents and other stakeholders, the Dorchester Historical Society has raised $200,000 to ensure that the mid-19th century Clapp Family Barn will stand for generations to come.   

Rotted sills and deteriorated posts and beams have been replaced, so the building is now level, square and solid.  New doors, hung with the original hinges, have greatly enhanced the appearance of the Barn and improved access and security.  And a badly needed new roof was put on earlier this year.  No we need to make the Barn weather-tight, to protect not just the restored structure but also the extensive collection of 19th-century agricultural tools that it houses.

A private donor has pledged $5,000 towards the shingling…provided that we raise the same amount from our members and supporters.  Won’t you pitch in so we can meet this challenge?

From 1630 well into the 20th century, the agricultural economy of Dorchester was critical to the growth and vitality of the town and beyond.  On its completion, the Barn will provide the ideal venue for the Society to explore and interpret this agricultural heritage for students, residents and visitors alike.

Join us in this vital step towards bringing to life an important but little-known aspect of Dorchester’s history for everyone.

Please send your contribution to Dorchester Historical Society, 195 Boston Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 or make a secure online payment at www.dorchesterhistoricalsocietyblog.org  (You will also find a side show documenting the restoration of the Barn on the website or at http://bit.ly/15vd2ox.)

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Earl Taylor

President

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The Dorchester Illustration of the Day (DIOTD) is sent weekdays. If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please reply to be taken off the e-mail list. If you know others who would like to receive the daily e-mail, please encourage them to join the group by going to http://groups.google.com/group/dorchester-historical-society. You may contact Earl Taylor at ERMMWWT@aol.com

If you value receiving the DIOTD, please express your appreciation by making a donation to the Dorchester Historical Society, either by regular mail at 195 Boston Street, Dorchester, MA 02125, or through the website at www.DorchesterHistoricalSociety.org

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