SIMES HOUSE FOUNDATION: Restoration under way

Marion Peterson stands in front of the Simes House main entrance, a trusty Scottish terrier by her side. Her Mary Janes look new or carefully preserved, and someone has made sure the flower on her hat is positioned over her left ear. Its the late 1920s and Peterson, a toddler at the time, was visiting her grandparents, who were caretakers of the Simes House, back when the site served as a sort of refuge for young women, according to Simes House Foundation Vice President Will Shain.

The old picture of Peterson has a place in the archive of Simes House memorabilia that keeps growing. The homes rich history dates to its creator, Joseph Simes, a sea captain who commanded the tea trade and built this imposing structure in 1863 on a 75-acre spread. Eight fireplaces, a widows walk, sweeping staircase, mansard roof and plaster moldings screamed success back then and whisper of another time when lights out meant complete darkness and Manomet was a rustic getaway, with a soundtrack rippling with the clip-clop of horses hooves.

The Simes House land, at 29 Manomet Point Road, has shrunk over the years, but still commands awe as work crews lovingly restore the home to its heyday. Thanks to $1.5 million in Community Preservation Act funds, this project is now officially under way. Scaffolding has risen around the house, and masons are repointing chimneys as roofers pound nails and construction crews replace sections of rotted wood.

Shain, along with his wife, Barbara, and former Fire Chief James Pierson, also Simes Foundation members, were excited to discover an original baluster beautiful and ornate compared to the rectangular ones someone installed in the home in later years. More of these original balusters will be created, the Shains said, and will help authenticate the restoration.

A mason working for Vereika Brothers, the contracting company that won the bid on the project, found bricks bearing B. Hedge, the name of a Plymouth brickworks dating to the 1830s. The Hedge family, famous in town for the historic Hedge House, included a brother, Barnabus Hedge, whose name is referenced on these bricks, Shain explained, noting the historic find helps tell the story of those who contributed to the Simes House construction.

The restoration project is being completed in phases. The exterior restoration comes first to ensure the building is weather tight. It should be completed within the next three months. After that, crews will move inside. The Foundation is also applying for a $100,000 matching state grant, through the Massachusetts Historical Commission (an effort endorsed by the towns legislative delegation), to help fund the interior work.

Pierson said his group plans to add sprinklers to the 6,800-square-foot home, which is slated to serve as the Manomet Village Community Center. The layout will include two offices on the second floor, with affordable housing units and caretakers quarters on the third floor. Outside, the driveway will sweep through a village green complete with a barn and benches. Plans for the gazebo have been replaced by an ever better idea, Barbara said, noting a barn for events and other outdoor get-togethers might be more practical and functional.

The goal is for the Simes House to be self-sustaining. A real estate broker has determined the office units and apartments could generate $30,000 to $40,000 annually money that could be used to maintain the center or support other community events and projects.

And, now that the Simes House property hosts Manomets Charlie Brown Christmas tree, which was moved from the edge of a parking lot on 3A near Lukes Liquors in April, this historic property will quickly become a community attraction. A tree lighting will be held here, Barbara said, and the whole town will be able to marvel at this now lush tree that began its life as a scraggly spruce.

Simes House Christmas tree ornaments will soon be available online for $25, with the proceeds benefiting the Simes House. This years 3-D golden ornaments feature the Charlie Brown tree, but there are also some of last years ornaments available depicting the Simes House. For more information, visit simeshousefoundation.org.

See the rest here:

SIMES HOUSE FOUNDATION: Restoration under way