Comments on: A look back

By: Carol Byrnes

Carol Byrnes — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:59:05 +0000

I lived in an apartment in the yellow house that was pictured…it’s on Learned Street, and it was my very first apartment when I graduated from Framingham Union Hospital School of Nursing! If that’s a fairly recent picture, it hasn’t changed a bit! The house was divided into 3 apartments: a 2-story on the left as you’re looking at the house, and 2 apartments on the right. I lived upstairs on the right…..I loved that place, and think of it fondly! Thanks so much for the memory!

By: Gene Cassidy

Gene Cassidy — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:47:26 +0000

I’ve noticed that house in the first two photos and a few others in that tiny area between the hospital and Marian. They’re all beautiful structures, many of them (badly) altered or neglected. I think for years people were waiting for the hospital to expand and turn them into parking lots or raze them for new medical structures. I hope they come back.

By: Nostalgio

Nostalgio — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:32:16 +0000

What’s odd is that in Framingham people ruin classic homes that have character without penalty. But then Framingham will enforce ordinances like the signage rules which effectively amputates a lot of the character from businesses in the town. See this site’s Fun&Games entrance photos for a quick example.

By: Perry

Perry — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:29:40 +0000

Ever consider volunteering to be on the Framingham Historical Commission?

By: JoEllen McNeil Jones

JoEllen McNeil Jones — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:35:24 +0000

I grew up on the north side of Framingham, but have lived on the south side now for 30 years. This is a great website and it brings back lots of memories of good times and old places from way back when, when I was growing up. Thanks for doing this. I graduated in ‘74 from North High and I can tell you now, those were the good old days!!! Thanks again. Jo

By: F.A.Martin

F.A.Martin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:13:53 +0000

If this is correct “. . . any house over 50 years old requires Historic Commission review . . . ” there has to be tons of violations. I live up by the college and my home was built 1915. I have spent 20 years in restoration (special milling, stone/brick work, rebuilding windows etc). It is a labor of love (most of the time), but feel it is my obligation to the community ensuring my property stays within the original character. I realize this is not possible for those without the income to support historic restoration, but often owners do not do not investigate possible economic but tasteful improvements. Most seem to be landlords (not living in town) looking for the fast buck and could care less about the quality or visual look of their rental property. There should be a free/volunteer service in town made up of local professionals (architects, master carpenters, masons, landscape, designers etc) willing to come out to those without any idea what to do and guide them on what can be done and how to remain in character to the region (offering suggestions, referrals etc). I am fortunate to possess the talent to do my own work plus have relatives that are master carpenters, masons and architects, so I was able to get professional advise. The town has many great properties that should be restored. I would love to see the village common brought back to original configuration including gardens, granite/wood fencing and a decent Gazebo.

By: Perry

Perry — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:23:50 +0000

Right, Kevin. Any house over 50 years old requires Historic Commission review before the owners can do *anything( that changes the exterior. People with older houses should review the Town By-Laws, in particular regarding Demolition Delay.

By: Kevin Swope

Kevin Swope — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:16:38 +0000

I’ve seen old pictures of houses on Waverly street–which are still there–and it’s a tree-lined oasis! And it wasn’t wealthy people who lived there back then, either. I think historic districts help both directly and indirectly.

Incidentally, if your house is more than 50 years old it is considered an historic property and any exterior renovations are supposed to go before the Historic Commission for review.

My grandfather put aluminum siding on his old dutch colonial farmhouse in New York state–it preserved the structure and saved him some money, but as for aesthetics–not so much!

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:37:44 +0000

Susie,

Framingham has a historic district in the town center and homeowners are required to go before the historic commission before getting approvals.

As an owner of an antique home, over 200 years old, my family has inherited the ‘errors’ made by previous owners. Many of these cannot be corrected since it would violate modern building codes to restore homes with the proper windows and doors, let alone the interiors which the public doesn’t see. Surely we can paint our houses period correct colors but that is about it. Over time, the trees on these properties mature and die, fall victim to nature or car accidents (yes on my property 3 trees have been damaged by car accidents) or are cut down (legally or illegally) or brutally limbed by utility companies.

One thing that people need to remember about antique houses, they require a lot of TLC. Most homeowners do not want to give them the attention that these houses need. So, there is a much smaller number of potential buyers and the owners often find ways to modernize their homes.
So while it would be nice to keep antique homes in their original condition, it is not practical nor is it economically feasible.

By: Susie

Susie — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:02:19 +0000

My father has a vast collection of old Framingham postcards. It’s interesting to look at a card and try to figure out where the picture was taken given all the changes. Some of the changes are scarey but they’re all inevidable.

It would be nice if there was a “historic district” like in towns like Concord where home owners are required to adhere to certain regulations when doing renovations or remodeling.