Threatened: Paul Revere's Mill and Barn
By Gianna Palmer | Online Only | June 16, 2008
A developer has requested a demolition permit for the Revere & Sons Mill, located 14 miles outside Boston, which closed last year.
Credit: George Comeau
At age 65, instead of settling down, Paul Revere chose to embark on the largest business undertaking of his life. In 1801 Revere put up $25,000 to found the nation's first copper-rolling mill in Canton, Mass. That mill, which produced the copper for the hull of the U.S.S. Constitution and the dome of the Massachusetts State House, is now in jeopardy.
Last month Napleton Acquisitions LLC, the Chicago-based developer that purchased the mill in 2007, submitted a demolition request for the mill and the nearby J. W. Revere barn.
Napleton's lack of specific building plans for the site or assurance that the demolition permits, if granted, will not be used, has left some Massachusetts residents uneasy, including Paul Revere III, a direct descendent of the mill's founder and an attorney who focuses on environmental and land-use matters.
"To propose to tear down the buildings without any future plan for the property is simply wrong," Revere says. "I'd probably be the first to say, 'What can we do to preserve them?'"
Attorney Paul Schneiders, who represents Canton Development Properties LLC, Napleton's parent company, told the Canton Citizen that his client does not want to demolish the two historic buildings and ideally would like to build around them.
In April Napleton presented a rezoning proposal to the town's planning board that included plans to spend $2 million on renovating the Revere buildings. But on May 19, after the planning board rejected that proposal, Napleton submitted the demolition request.
Canton resident George Comeau, who serves on the town's historical commission, created a Web site to raise awareness of the situation regarding the property.
"The small part that I want to play is [to ensure] that the nation understands what they have to lose at the hands of a developer," Comeau says. "Permits in the pocket are very scary things. I just want to use the little time we have left in the process to sound the alarm," he says. "That's one of the things that Revere taught us is to sound the alarm when it's appropriate, not to be an alarmist."
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Comments
Submitted by bonnie at: June 30, 2009
I'm wondering the status of this project 7/2009?
Submitted by Historicus at: January 25, 2009
As the clock is ticking for the Paul Revere & Sons Rolling Mill in Canton, please take a moment to spread the word about this property. Now listed on the Most Endangered Resources in Massachusetts, we seek Federal recognition by the National Trust as one of America's Most Endangered Resources. Visit the webpage at http://revererollingmill.googlepages.com for up to date information.
Submitted by Historicus at: December 2, 2008
We are still working to save the buildings. We need your support NOW. Send a letter or an email today to ask the National Trust to place the Revere Rolling Mill and Barn on its list of Endangered Resources. Send it to: The National Trust for Historic Preservation Office of Communications/11 Most Endangered 1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC 20036 To whom it may concern: On behalf of the [your organization], I respectfully request and very strongly endorse the nomination of the Revere Barn and rolling Mill for listing on America’s Eleven Most Endangered Places in the United States. [your organization] is dedicated to promoting the preservation of historical, cultural and scenic resource both in our local area and throughout the country. In keeping with our purpose, we want to join with Canton Massachusetts Historic Commission to bring to national attention the need to preserve these quintessential representations of our nation’s history. While there are certainly other places in the United States which are worthy of such designation, there are few others with such strong ties to the birth, continued existence, and entrepreneurial spirit of the United States of America. * At age 65, Revolutionary War hero and American Patriot Paul Revere decided to wager "every piece of silver" he owned to set up a copper rolling Mill in Canton Massachusetts; the first of its kind in the newly formed United States * In 1802, Revere & Sons provided the copper the sheathes the dome of the new State House in Boston. A year later, the company was commissioned to provide copper sheathing to protect the hull of the Constitution or "Old Ironsides." In subsequent years, Revere & Sons manufactured copper boilers for Robert Fulton's early experimental steamships, turned out muskets and brass cannons for the War of 1812, and manufactured the copper dome of the New York City Hall. * The Revere Rolling Mill played an important role in the Civil War as a major producer of cannons for the North. The battlefield at Gettysburg still hosts several of these cannons. * The Revere rolling mill was situated less than a mile from the Canton Viaduct which brought the railway into Canton. A spur line lead to the Revere Company, and undoubtedly gave a boost to their copper business. Most likely this is the first industrial railroad spur in America. Immediate action is needed to preserve that which can never be recovered. A burial ground unearthed, an historic building raised and a farm paved over are gone forever. Designating this swath of American history, culture and beauty as one of the 11 Most Endangered Places sends a powerful message to those who hold our heritage dear. Sincerely,
Submitted by kawai at: September 7, 2008
I am proud to call Canton my home--usually! I have been in the military for 35 years and Canton is my official "home of record" and although far away, I follow the happenings closely. I've always known about the Revere structures--what Canton kid didn't mosey about town on his/her bike and check out the far reaches? I hope that the "old time" Canton residents (see lots of new places springing up all the time!) will rally to save this historical treasure. I hope everyone will appreciate and support Mr. Comeau and all of the dedicated folks on the historical commission who are trying to do the right thing--and are having to battle the nemesis of all historical sites--big money and new land owners. Good luck, Mr. Comeau, and I pray that you are successful. Not sure I'd want to return to a town that doesn't care about its heritage.
Submitted by Unveilingnat'ltreasure at: July 4, 2008
As a long term Canton resident, I thought I knew every inch of the town. I have never seen the Revere buildings and their existence was only a rumor to me until the the past couple of years. I was close friends with someone who lived across the street from the Plymouth Rubber complex. To my knowledge, the entrance to the property was gated, and the grounds surrounded with tall, barbed wire topped chain link fencing. Rumors abounded that there was toxic materials inside, and for sure, the odor of the toxins released from the plant could be smelled regularly at Canton High where I was a student. I never dared venture near this property and had never heard of it's affiliation with Paul Revere. Prior to the past two years or so, I heard that there was some building or mill affiliated with Revere, but that it was located on Washington St. across from Shepards Pond, and that it was no longer standing. This was a big surprise that there are actually historic buildings still standing in Canton which were owned and run by Revere. A big surprise to a local that Canton contains a National Treasure.
Submitted by Historicus at: July 3, 2008
Public comment period is open as the Canton Historical Commision begins the process of determining whether to place a six-month demolition delay on the final two remaining Revere & Sons buildings on the site. You may email your comments to: geocomeau@gmail.com or mail your letters to: Canton Historical Commission, Memorial Hall, Canton, MA 02021 - Attn: Wally Gibbs, Chairman. The public hearing will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at the Canton Public Library Community Meeting Room 7:30 PM.
Submitted by Historicus at: June 21, 2008
In response to LRS, while these are excellent points, it is important to point out that these buildings were only recently purchased as part of a developer speculating on this property. So, hardly the 11th hour. As for Mr. Revere, his awareness is recent due to the fact that he does not live in the area and it was brought to his attention within the last two months. Finally, and to your point, the developer was abundantly aware of the historic nature of the buildings, they are but one liability/asset of this property. The land has been used for industry since 1701 and the buildings are on the State Register of Historic Places and eligible for the National Register. But, this is still America and a private property owner is free to destroy such buildings, there is no preclusion. The photos are deceiving, these structures - in capable hands - are perfect spots for adaptive reuse and would be a centerpiece of any development. For more information, visit the website and keep fighting for our history. And, if anyone can urge the Napleton Company in Chicago, Illinois to protect our heritage, please do so.
Submitted by patmatricia at: June 19, 2008
IAs Historical Preservation and Interior Design are my passion, I would see it as an opportunity for creativity and a great challenge to preserve our nations history.
Submitted by LRS at: June 19, 2008
Agreed that it would be an historic tragedy to lose either of these early Federal period buildings. However, WHY, may I ask, are so many of these historic structures left to decay (especially the mill photo) and be lost to posterity until the eleventh hour?! Who knows to what mundane and perhaps ridiculous uses the J.W. Mill in parituclar has been put over the decades? And "Paul Revere III, a direct descendent of the mill's founder and an attorney who focuses on environmental and land-use matters?" Just where has he been with all his environmental and land-use law skills? Are we supposed to believe that HE didn't know where and what the property is? Why should anyone expect the development company to be any more appreciative of the properties' histories than historians and Revere's own direct descendents. Yet another case of closing the barn door after the horse is [almost] out.
Submitted by Bev at: June 18, 2008
This should be saved. Its our history.