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Date: 10/27/2021
AMHERST – The Historic Commission met on Oct. 20 and voted unanimously in a public hearing to go through with the complete destruction of a timber framed wooden barn built in 1850, located on North Pleasant Street on the North Amherst Community Farm.
The barn will be totally removed, but components from within the structure will be salvaged and used in the construction of a new pavilion located on a central location of the farm. While the deconstruction of the barn requires a demolition permit, the intent is to carefully take down the existing structure and salvage any parts remaining.
“The barn is in pretty terrible condition,” Bruce Coldham said.
Coldham works on the North Amherst Community Farm and has been engaged in the process of removal and re-purposing for the barn and its structure. He said according to the application submitted for permission in removal of the barn, the concept is that materials will be removed and reused as they are.
He noted that the structural beams, timbers and siding boards coming apart with the removal are still high valued material and could be used elsewhere. It was important for the commission to make sure the removed materials would be reserved and re-purposed.
When open to public comments, Kathleen Carroll spoke to living so close to the soon-to-be deconstructed building.
“I view the barn 24/7 so I’ve grown quite attached to the barn,” Carroll said with a laugh.
While Carroll approved of the decision of deconstruction, she did have a request of the committee.
“I would like to request some of the wood be used as a façade for the green barn right behind the 1850 barn. Not only would it keep character of the farm compound, it would be nice for me to look at off my deck. I know that’s extra work, but I would like to jump in to volunteer and help with that,” Carroll said.
While the committee considered the destruction to be a significant loss for the town, reality is it cannot be saved in its current standing. With the reuse of parts the town will also be able to salvage the memory of the 170-year old-barn.