Submitted by National Trust at: May 25, 2010
Native: While your comments had some interesting points, we needed to remove it, as it included language which did not follow our terms and conditions for comments on our website. ( For more information, see # 5 at: http://www.preservationnation.org/terms-of-use/ ) If you could rephrase your comments, and repost, you would have an opportunity to reach out to more people with your perspective.

Submitted by Anonymous at: April 8, 2010
good site except for the captions that block the pictures when the caption disapears, the picture changes never giving you a good look at it...very annoying

Submitted by Artistdon at: March 9, 2010
One of the reasons I became an artist, architect and preservation professional was my bike rides by the incredible architectural resources in North Easton -- including the shovel works and the many adjacent gems designed by H.H. Richardson (the works are virtually next to his famous train station) --- as a child. While there are many in our community that would pussyfoot around the kind of local governments -- and their developer/masters --- that would allow this kind of rape of the community, I am not afraid to say in the least that the people of North Easton -- largely now upper-middle-class fat cats who were blessed to own property in such a cultural treasure trove -- apparently don't deserve to live in that magnificent place if they will not stop this destructive act. As for the Ameses, well I'm sure they've become as money-hungry and corrupt as all the rest of the wealthy in this country.

Submitted by Pistolero45 at: February 17, 2010
I was recently hunting javelinas in the Tortolita Mountains of Arizona. This is an extremely rugged area accessible only by foot or horse. We found an "Ames" shovel blade. Even in that dry climate, the handle had long since rotted away. It was interesting, and we left it there for the next adventurer to enjoy.

Submitted by historycellar at: February 11, 2010
Here is a article from 1835 I found on the Shovel company. http://www.historycellar.com/2010/01/1835-amess-shovel-works-in.html

Submitted by Indyviews at: January 30, 2010
Why is there such a hatred for old and beautiful historic buildings in this country, we have so few of them left relatively speaking. Is this country so small that we need to treat our heritage like so much trash, built your modern monstrosities somewhere else. Strange how the countries in Europe are so small and yet there is so much history standing...so much that most Americans would love to go there sometime to visit. A self guided walking tour.....of what, sort of like cutting the trees down so you can see the forest! The answer is money....for the developers, if they had their way all history would come down as there is no profit otherwise. I agree with Charles Roland, try to find an alternate use. I would like to have the privilege of being able to see this area sometime. Much more could be said.

Submitted by CharlesRoland at: January 13, 2010
Wow, the ignorance of some people amazes me. Anyone who advocates the bulldozing of well made and historic structures to make way for 40-B housing must be a wine/whine and cheese liberal. Although I consider myself a progressive, I do not advocate ANY low cost housing complexes as this only aggravates the problem and promotes a low quality of life. Mixed use development along with preservation of existing structures is almost always more wise. Erasing such a large part of our history would be a loss. I agree with a previous poster who stated that poorly constructed and eye-sore half-empty strip malls, along with graffiti ridden low income housing should not be the future of this historic site. The buildings on the location now should remain and a new purpose for them sought. Perhaps an artists colony and housing for artists and creatives? Perhaps it could be incorporated into a school or college campus? Perhaps a new industry? In any event, 40-B housing is an outmoded law which often requires towns and communities to sacrifice land to attract people who can't provide for themselves and put them all in one place. The buildings are always eyesores, with trouble between residents and frequent vandalism. Please, keep our valuable historical properties intact. Ignorance of where we come from is a guarantee that we will fail as a society.

Submitted by Caity at: December 3, 2009
Hi everyone. I realize the value in preserving a place that is so historically significant, but couldn't the space be used more efficiently by giving thousands of people a place to live? One of the reasons why this place is so beloved by everyone is that it helped so many people get jobs, and contributed to the wonderful growth of our nation. Shouldn't we carry on this tradition of helping people and ourselves instead of preserving the space, making change and progress impossible?

Submitted by Ames Employees at: October 2, 2009
We just discovered this website (10/2/09) and wanted all of you to know that Ames lives on. We're employees of Ames True Temper in Pennsylvania. We're the modern version of the Ames company that existed in Easton so many years ago. The facility where we work produces thousands of shovels each day. We are proud of our history and would be disappointed to see the buildings in Easton destroyed. We will be keeping an eye on this story...

Submitted by comingdown at: August 20, 2009
hey notcomingdown (original) from what I understand your descripition sounds like what exsists there now!

Submitted by notcomingdown at: August 19, 2009
hey coming down, what would you suggest, installing another half abandoned strip mall with low rent high rise with curtains blowing in the wind through broken windows ? get some quality of life.... green bay fathers found it wise to destroy old down town and bring in a mall. mall is mt and all thats left is bars and bums and gangs. and the bars are half closed. rotton shame, and no great fix in the real near future yet. your building there have already withstood the test of time and elements. only the wiles of men remain...

Submitted by Toe at: August 12, 2009
None of those buildings are going anywhere.

Submitted by coming down at: July 24, 2009
Can some one say" Tick Tock" Time is counting down

Submitted by marjazz at: July 18, 2009
I agree with Mina. The developers should take responsibility in moving the buildings elsewhere. They sound so "UnAmerican," as if this was never their country. It looks like progress here is really going backwards. We do not need affordable housing and encourage people to live from others who work so hard.

Submitted by Jen at: July 15, 2009
People who cannot understand history are determined to destroy it so no one else can enjoy it. I bet they didn't share their toys as kids, either.

Submitted by Mina at: July 2, 2009
Such polarization and adversarial attitudes! If the buildings can't be reused, isn't there a possibility of moving or decontructing them? It seems like both sides are at an "all or nothing" standstill. Come one, there has to be a middle ground.

Submitted by dave at: June 24, 2009
You misspelled "landscapes" at the end of the second paragraph of AMES SHOVEL SHOPS story.

Submitted by coming down at: June 11, 2009
Kayaker Maybe you should write the delevoper a big check to get what you want, Your "lend support" is the classic wack job liberal "feeding at the public trough" point. I'll fight everything with some one elses money against the very people who make this country great employing lazy unproductive marxist people like you.

Submitted by Kayaker at: June 10, 2009
As chairman of the Rockland Historical Commission I pledge to lend any support we can to your efforts in preserving such an important part of our local heritage.I personally know the buildings intimatelly, having worked on renovations for the former Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. back in the 70's.Call me at Rockland Town Hall if I can be of any help. p.s. to 'coming down' The ' wackjob liberals ' you refer to are the only ones keeping an eye on these '40-B' developers that are taking your tax dollars to line THEIR pockets and leaving ALL of us with a wasteland on unoccupied, ill-developed monstrosities that the taxpayer will have to BAILOUT !!!

Submitted by Bluma at: June 5, 2009
Please save the Ames historic Shovel shop.It is part of the fabric that biult America.

Submitted by coming down at: June 4, 2009
The problem with this country is all these wack job liberals that want some one else to pay for thier dreams. Tear the place down

Submitted by scoconut at: June 4, 2009
i agree with coming down

Submitted by Anonymous at: June 4, 2009
i would rent it

Submitted by coming down at: June 2, 2009
The dump is worth more in salvage than in rental i'm sure

Submitted by coming down at: May 29, 2009
To bad the Easton town fathers and the Ames family are so ignorant and are letting this time piece be demo'd. it will all be lost next year.

Submitted by scoconut at: May 22, 2009
nice place

Submitted by scoconut at: May 22, 2009
i am very touched

Submitted by OAHS 89 at: May 18, 2009
I was raised in North Easton. I learned all about the Ames' and their history in school by Mrs. Varella. My mom worked for Liberty Mutual in the Shops back in the mid-1980's. How can someone tear down something so incredibly significant to American history?!? I read about this story in my local paper...The Washington Post (DC). This is a BIG deal.

Submitted by al at: May 15, 2009
It is unbelieveable that the developer has such a problem with requests to preserve the Ames shovel complex. This indicates to any intellegent person that said developer is only interested in how much money he can get from "maxing out" the uses for the whole complex. The man who owns the Bernat Mill complex in Uxbridge Ma. had restored the whole mill with great attention to historical detail. The end result was a beautiful mill complex that drew renters. It was home to antique shops, cafes, stores, healing arts, woodshops, and offices. Business owners and patrons enjoyed being in this place. The point: Little was changed, but much was gained. The owner had a profitable investment without RUINING the site! Why do we need any new homes when so many existing homes sit VACANT!!? Keep pushing to save the shops!! How can I help?

Submitted by igit79 at: May 12, 2009
I grew up in Easton and would hate to see any of the Ames history removed from the town, plus it is an incorporated part of the education, town history. This story was in the globe a while ago, same developer? http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2009/03/22/whats_so_bad_about_a_cottage/

Submitted by S-AM at: May 12, 2009
Easton and all the Eames sites there is high on the list of the Ames Society. In the 1990s, twice we visited sites there when we had our Convention in Boston area. The most talked aobut site was the Shovel Collection. We look forward to again visiting the area. Stafford-Ames www.AmesSociety.org

Submitted by bbald33714 at: May 1, 2009
Easton is a beautiful old town. My great-grandparents immigrated to Easton back in the late 1800's. The Rohdin's & Gustafson's from Sweden and the Geddes' from Scotland. They found work at Ame's Shovel shop and also at Belcher's Foundry. My sister and I visited Easton a couple years ago and was awestruck by the time capsule of old buildings still in operation. The Shovel shop was empty and up for sale at that time. The architecture is beautiful even to this day. The prominent family name of Ames, a renowned architect who designed these buildings , and thousands of immigrants looking for a new beginning living the American Dream, and the historic value of all of that is reason enough to keep the integrity of the buildings and of the town. There's not too many buildings these days that have the charm and character that will stand the test of time.

Submitted by Russ G. at: April 29, 2009
The current era of significant economic dislocation and change (e.g., banking /finance and autos) provides a useful opportunity to reflect on the economic development of the US - from a young, developing country to a vibrant financial and industrial power -- one now undergoing another transformation. Ames provides a fascinating study of our nation's economic development and the complex financial, technological, and political forces that define and drive it. This site provides further reminder that the nation was built by business owners and families, financiers, entrepreneurs -- and also tens of thousands of people working over hot ovens and using shovels in long, hard arduous backbreaking labor. -- Great thanks to the national preservation folks and those in the community and the academy for raising awareness of the site, teasing out its history, and identifying the significant lessons it offers us. These factories are our equivalent of Europe's forts and castles, landmarks making our past concrete and alive. Developers should recognize the added value of appropriate preservation-aware design.

Submitted by darthunter at: April 29, 2009
I agree the preservation of our History is very important.In the world today we need to remeber that hard work and determination will get you through a tough time.This is a symbol of the hard working american family.I live in North Easton and am very proud of our heritage.I may not be apart of the Ames family or ever worked in the mill,but it means something to the town and its people.I have an interesting way maybe helping preserve this landmark,I am apart of a paranormal team and who knows if we do an investigation and find activity and hard evidence it may help keep this peice of history in tact(http://www.darthunters.org/)

Submitted by CamperDave at: April 29, 2009
I was lucky enough to work in one of the building back in the early 1980's (Walworth Valve Co). It was great going to work in that old building. One night, the maintenance guy opened a large hatch in the floor. Although it was very dark, I think we saw what we believe is one of the old water-wheels down there. I hope the developers have a change of heart and try to save as much as possible.

Submitted by kawailani at: April 28, 2009
Unbelievable! I am SOOOOO sick of developers knocking down historical facilities under the guise of "affordable housing" (which is never affordable). Where are our local government representatives? And the Senators? And Congressmen/women? Don't they understand that to be from towns in Massachusetts that are rich with culture and early American historical sites is something that make us (THE VOTERS) proud--and different from other parts of the nation. It is OUR heritage--the heritage of the farmers and soldiers who built this country. The Easton Historical Commission should find a way to reach the AMES family association--and let ALL of the THOUSANDS of AMES descendent know of the plan to demolish their family history. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS DEVELOPER--AND HOW DO WE FIND OUT WHO IT IS??? I hope it's not the same greedy moron who has plans to demolish PAUL REVERE's barn and copper rolling mill in Canton. These jerks are all alike--and if we allow them to destroy our heritage, we are lousy historical custodians. When I return home to New England after serving my country for over 30 years, I think it's important to show my children and granchildren their links to the past (I am from the Ames lineage)--and I hope the historical and architecturally significant building of the Ames complex are there to show them. I will use this and other Mass. historical projects to place my votes.

Submitted by Patrick K. at: April 28, 2009
I live in North Easton, less than a mile from the shovel shops. It would be disgraceful if these shops were destroyed. The Turner Brothers, the men responsible for the destruction are avaricious men fueled by nothing but greed.

Submitted by baystata at: April 28, 2009
I live in North Easton and the historic district in town (along with the schools and open spaces) is why I decided to move to Easton and not the surrounding towns when I moved back to the area in 2001. It's not uncommon to see architecture students from many of the nearby colleges in the Boston area in the Fall or Spring walking the district and drawing. I have been opposed to the 40B project and am worried that we will lose an important part of our town's history so that a developer can line his/her pockets. Not only will the many historic buildings be dramatically altered or demolished, but the quaintness of the district will be destroyed by the increase in traffic...and the charm will be gone. I have no problem with renovating the structures (the Ames Headquarters building desperately needs attention) and adding additional structures that maintain the feel of the district, but developers, under the guise of the 40B affordable housing chapter, don't care about that. How is it that they could get away with destroying buildings listed in the National Historic Register? I don't get it. Ryan Cook, North Easton, MA

Submitted by JFeist at: April 28, 2009
It's an outrage that such an unusual and beautiful place could be destroyed. Such artifacts are what make the New England architectural landscape unique, and losing it would be a great loss. The developer's plans are wasteful and environmentally irresponsible, and I hope that a better solution is found. Jonathan Feist Chair, Town of Harvard Historical Commission