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As spring approaches, there is progress on restoring the Obed Baker House, or the "Red House" as it was known. A complete set of photographs has been taken to show what the house looked like before restoration. The paint analysis has begun. Window restoration work will be starting soon with the original glass panes being re-glazed and the broken or missing panes being replaced with Polished restoration glass. The sashes will be restored or duplicated. There are many wonderful features in the house from the four original fireplaces and hearths to the old narrow staircase; from the wide plank floors and walls to the accordion split lath in the ceiling. The restored house will be a resource for Westwood, and historic asset benefiting its residents and its school children. Donations for the project are accepted at any time by sending them to the Westwood Historical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 2575 Westwood MA 02090-2575 Photo courtesy of John Pritchard
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Obed Baker House 1812 See below Obed Baker House Restoration Project.
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Betsy Metcalf,
born in Providence in 1786, married Obed Baker of West Dedham on
December 6, 1807. For several years after they were married they
lived in the old Timothy Baker house and then built and occupied
what became known as the "Red House". Thus, the Obed Baker
House became a part of Westwood's history circa 1810. A 1730s map of
the Clapboard Trees Parish shows a single house located on the
Medfield Road near the intersection of the Road to the Pond. At this
intersection an 1818 map of the Clapboard Trees Parish shows two
houses, clearly identified as the homes of Obed and Timothy Baker,
The Baptist Meeting House, a Hearse House (old cemetery), and a new
road (Nahatan Street) leading to the Meeting House (First Parish). Today, the Town
owns the original Obed Baker House (moved from its original location
at the corner of High and Pond Streets in 1924) having purchased it
for use as two units of the Westwood Affordable Housing Associates (WAHA)
program. WAHA received a grant from the Mass Dept. of Housing and
Community Development (MDHCD) to rehabilitate the house with some
historic preservation included. A representative from the Mass.
Historical Commission (MHC) inspected the house and found that:
"The Obed Baker House retains substantial historic features on
the interior and exterior and is an extremely well preserved example
of Federal Period architecture." The MDHCD funding was withheld
pending resolution of an "adverse effect" proposal on this
National Register eligible property. The Westwood
Historical Society has worked with the Town and WAHA throughtout
this process with Ralph Buonopane proposing that affordable housing
and historic preservation goals could be achieved by moving the Obed
Baker House to the land near the Baker Cemetery entrance (approx.
original location) and by building a new construction Obed Baker
House using the architect's plans already procured. Consultants have
confirmed that the Obed Baker House is an excellent structural
condition and readily moveable. The recent Town Meeting approved
purchase of the Musto property for cemetery use at this location. The Historical
Society Board is pleased that the Obed Baker House was moved on June
24th to the land at the entrance to the Baker Cemetery at the corner
of Pond and High for historic preservation. The Society will
continue to be involved as the original Obed Baker House is
historically restored by the Town. The MHC appears to agree that
these proposed actions could retain "the significant historic
features of this remarkably intact property" and, thus, be a
resolution their "adverse effect" finding. Possible uses,
including public access, could be office space for the Cemetery and
Historical Commissions. It also is possible to include a replica
barn (Obed Baker stabled "more than 20 team horses" in
1845) for cemetery use by the DPW on this land. The Baker family
history, an important part of Westwood's history, is being preserved
in our Society's collection. Westwood Historical Society, Inc. 830 High Street at the Fisher School The Baker House Restoration Dear Members and Friends, November 2005 This year we are asking for your support in an important new project that we are undertaking - the restoration of the Obed and Betsey Baker house. Authorized by a Town Meeting vote, the Board of Selectmen transferred ownership of the Baker house to the Historical Society this past June. The Baker House has been a part of the Westwood landscape for almost 200 years. It has served as the homestead for generations of the Baker family whose roots in West Dedham and Westwood date back to 1630. Both the Baker Family and the Baker House are historically significant to our town. In carrying out this project, we hope to pay homage not only to an historical structure but also to a family whose history is closely woven with the town of Westwood. The Historical Society completed its first major restoration project in 1999 - the Fisher School, a one-room schooolhouse dating to 1845. Since its restoration, the schoolhouse has been a wonderful resource for the town, providing an historical venue for the Society's programs, concerts and exhibits. It has also been a valuable resource for our school children. Each year third graders throughout the town have the unique opportunity to step back in time and spend a day at the schoolhouse doing the things that school children did in the mid-1800s. Last year we expanded our school programs to include a mapping program for middle school students conducted at the schoolhouse. Our goal in restoring the Baker House is to make it an historic asset to Westwood, benefiting its residents and its school children. We hope to make the house a living museum that faithfully recreates the way people lived in the early part of the 19th century. We want to show visitors the reality of daily lives - how people furnished and heated their homes, stored their food, prepared their meals, etc. We think that our restoration efforts speak for themselves. Please help us continue this important work by supporting us with a tax-deductible contribution. We have enclosed a summary of the Baker House restoration and our donor form. (see below) Robert R Wood, President www.westwoodhistoricalsociety.com email: westwoodhistorical@hotmail.com
Thanks to John Pritchard for his photos of the restoration.
Help Us Complete This Important Project Kindly make your check payable to: Westwood Historical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 2575, Westwood, MA 02090 Amount of contribution: $______________________________________________________________ Name:______________________________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________ eMail: ______________________________________________________________________________ Telephone: __________________________________________________________________________ Matching Gift Program: ________________________________________________________________ The Westwood Historical Society is non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. This Old House - Westwood Style Restoration of Obed Baker House In May 2005, the Westwood Selectmen signed an agreement giving the ownership of the Obed and Betsy Baker House to the Westwood Historical Society. This event marks the beginning of what is certain to be a very exciting experience for the Society - restoring this historical house to its 1812 appearance. Society Co-President Bob Wood immediately began to organize the restoration project. Work started at the top with the construction of two new chimneys. Next, the old roof was stripped and a new roof applied. The back of the house which had been open since the house was moved to its current site at 909 High Street was boarded in. The old shingles were removed, revealing some interesting architectural details. To everyone's surprise, the framing patterns indicated that the house was built during two different time periods. In fact the original house was about half size of the current structure. A close look at the 1898 photographic map shows the Baker House in its original smaller size. A back entrance and stairway were constructed. New corner, rake and frieze boards were added and soffit and fascia installed. As we go to press, we are waiting for the insulation. After the insulation is in place, the shingles will be installed. The progress achieved over the summer has made a remarkable change in the Obed and Betsy Baker House. Our hope is that the house will become a prominent part of the Fisher School-High Street Historic District and eventually become eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The Historical Society would like to acknowledge Mario Musto of Hyde Park Masonry Supplies for his donation of bricks, blocks and cement. Many thanks to Bob Wood and Ralph Buonopane whose project management have enabled the restoration to proceed so successfully and to John Pritchard for faithfully recording the daily progress. |
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The
Obed and Betsey Baker house, known as the "Red
House" was originally located on a parcel of land on High
Street owned by the Baker Family. The aerial map of Westwood
dating back to 1898 shows the house on its original site at
965 High Street inside the oval. The current site at 909 High
Street (next to Dunkin Donuts) is marked with a picture of the
house inside the box. The houses around it belong to other
members of the Baker Family.
This
early picture of the Red House was taken when it was on its
original site at 965 High Street. Adjacent to it is the Baker
Homestead at 955 High Street. The land on High Street between
the current New Cemetery entrances was the site of homes
occupied by various Baker family members, including Timothy,
Obed, and Dexter in the 19th century.
In
1924, the Baker House was moved to 1007 High Street where new
sections were added to its right side and back. The house
remained at this site for 77 years.
In
June 2005, the Board of Selectmen, authorized by a Town
Meeting vote, transferred ownership of the Baker house to the
Westwood Historical Society. The Society wanted to restore the
house to its original appearance and create an historic
resource for the town that would benefit its residents and
school children. The Historical Society proudly announced its
Restoration Project by erecting a sign on the front yard of
the house.
The
restoration work began in June. The first order of business
was to secure the outside of the house, replacing the roof and
chimneys (removed for the move down High Street), sealing the
back of the house which was wrapped in a protective tarp after
the rear addition was removed, and replacing the rotted
exterior shingles. The photo taken on June 2nd shows the
masons completing their work on the chimneys.
After
the protective tarp was removed from the back of the house,
contractors were able to assess the exterior condition. This
photo taken on July 15, 2005 shows the back of the house as it
was unwrapped. The missing planks leave the back of the house
exposed. The first priority is to replace the planking. Once
the planking is in place, the exterior renovation can proceed.
Another
important step in securing the exterior of the house is the
installation of a new roof. During August, the roof was
replaced and a rear entrance was added to provide access to
the lower level. This photo taken on August 18, 2005 shows the
completion of the roof and the progress on the back entry.
With
the planking in place and the insulation installed, the house
is ready for new cedar shingles to be applied. This photo
taken on September 27, 2005 shows the shingle application in
process. New corner, rake, and frieze boards have been added
and soffit and fascia installed. As our work continues this
fall, we plan to paint the exterior. Of course the exterior
color of the house should come as no surprise!
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