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From: Jim Dent jdent1 AT optonline DOT net
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 12:31:55 -0500
Subject: Lakeville, MA
"0311a.jpg" - image/jpeg, 8233 bytes, 250x171 (24bit)

Town seeks special status for properties
By TOM TIMBERLAKE, Standard-Times correspondent


ANDREW T. GALLAGHER/Standard-Times special
The Lakeville Station on Bedford Street is one of the structures for which
the town is seeking national designation as historic places.
LAKEVILLE -- The Lakeville Historical Commission is working to gain
National Register of Historic Places designations for at least three more
properties, in addition to the two properties in town that now have that
distinguished status.
The National Register of Historic Places is the country's official list of
cultural resources worthy of preservation.
It is part of a program to coordinate and support public and private
efforts to identify, evaluate and protect historic and archeological
resources that are significant in American history, architecture,
archeology, engineering and culture.
Resident Nancy LaFave, secretary of the group, describes the process as
much more difficult than it was in the 1970s.
In 1975, the group successfully obtained National Register status for the
Wampanoag Royal Cemetery on Route 105.
The following year, the Town House on Bedford Street, also known as the Old
Town Hall, built in 1856, was accepted for listing in the National Register,
according to Mrs. LaFave.
National Register properties are documented and evaluated according to
uniform standards.
States, federal agencies and others nominate the properties, which are
approved by the National Park Service.
"We've completed 12 inventories (surveys) of properties in town," Mrs.
LaFave said. "Most of them are in the Highland Road area.
"Three have been recommended for the National Register consideration."
The group retained Arthur Krim, principal of Survey Systems in Cambridge,
to assist in the survey, which was completed in February.
Mr. Krim, through his research, recommended the three properties that the
commission hopes will be accepted to the National Register.
He said the three were selected from the survey list for their authenticity
of historic integrity.
"Each preserves original features of their historic period, though modified
for current use," he said.
"The Pierce-Clark House at 24 Clark Road is an original, mid-18th-century
farmhouse in Cape Cod form, with intact interior features.
"Eggers Farm, at 83 Highland Road, is an original, early 19th century
Federal-Period Cape Cod style farmhouse intact with its barn and
outbuildings," he said. "It is adjoined by a mid-20th-century cranberry bog
that preserves the agricultural landscape of the town.
"An original mid-19th-century railroad depot, intact with unique
stick-style features, the Lakeville Station at 162 Bedford St. is among the
few surviving examples of the Old Colony Railroad stations," he said.
Lakeville's location on the leading edge of the I-495 Beltway and Route 24
places the town under continued development pressure.
The process to nominate a historic place to the National Register involves
people at the local, state and federal levels.
On behalf of the Lakeville Historical Commission, Mr. Krim submitted the
nomination recommendation to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for
consideration, according to Mrs. LaFave.
It is being reviewed by a board of professionals in the fields of history,
architecture, archeology and related disciplines.
The board then makes a recommendation to the State Historic Preservation
officer. If in the officer's opinion, it meets the National Register
criteria, it is sent onto the National Parks Service for acceptance.
During the process, there is opportunity for public comment, for or
against, pending acceptance.

This story appeared on Page A13 of The Standard-Times on March 11, 2004.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/03-04/03-11-04/a13lo698.htm


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