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| The Newsletter of the High Street Hill Association | October 2005 |
Last Wednesday evening at the 16th Annual Preservation Award ceremony, the Brookline Preservation Commission presented two Preservation Awards to three High Street Hill residents.
The first award, presented by Commission Vice Chair Dennis Dewitt, was given to Hugh Mattison and Tom Elwertowski "for their efforts in recognizing Brookline's heritage by designing and maintaining the HSHA webpage." Originally set up by Hugh several years ago and further expanded and developed by Tom, HSHA's webmaster and Secretary, the www.highstreethill.org site has become a model for what a neighborhood site can be. It goes far beyond just providing descriptions of HSHA's activities. Its pages are full of useful information: historic maps back to 1636, a guide to neighborhood architecture, Precinct 5 census data, stories from Walnut Street in the 1890s and much more.
In November, Tom will add an online bookstore to HSHA's site. As yet another way to define what makes our neighborhood so unique, the bookstore will be a library of publications of special interest to the neighborhood and Brookline with direct links to Pill Hill and Brookline authors and musicians. Aside from the HSHA website, Tom has developed a web program that provides an easy way to make historic data about Brookline houses and sites accessible and usable. He merged the Town Assessor's database, which includes pictures of Brookline properties, with the database of text from the Massachussets Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. The result provides a wonderfully interesting way to sort through the historical heritage of Brookline by building age, architect, style and more. For example, it's easy to find the oldest house on Walnut Street (103 Walnut, built 1798) or find all the houses built by Peabody and Stearns in Pill Hill (there are 8) or locate all the Colonial Revivals in Graffam-McKay Historic District (there are 25). Look for a link to this research aid soon on the HSHA website.
Tom's work with historic data has a scope that obviously goes far beyond that of a neighborhood association and has attracted interest from town and state preservation activists and even real estate agents. If you are interested in using digital tools to promote preservation awareness drop Tom an email at .
A Preservation Award was also presented to Halcott Grant of 32 Allerton for careful design and craftsmanship in the construction of a new house at 36 Allerton Street. A new home in a local historic district is a rarity and Hal, a developer who purchased the sitealong with his house next door, had to overcome several obstacles along the way. Working with his architect and Preservation Commision staff, he found ways to properly site the house, add exterior period details drawn from nearby houses and to save a majestic copper beach tree by relocating the driveway. The result is a handsome home that looks like it's always been part of the neighborhood. By the way, the lot originally had a house on it but it was destroyed by fire in the 1970s.
We also welcome Maria Connor and Luis Moreno, 36 Allerton's new owners, to the neighborhood. We who live in Pill Hill's old homes are jealous of your new, energy efficient windows and your new floors that don't creak.
This winter join your neighbors by the fireside as we engage with local authors for readings and discussions.
Cost: Free for HSHA members*
Author's reception
Sunday, November 13
4:00-5:30pm
Robert Jay Kaufman, author/illustrator of Blockology
Host: Betsy Shure Gross, 25 Edgehill Road
Robert will give a slide presentation and sign books of his latest publication, Blockology: An Offbeat Walking Guide to Lower Manhattan, a guide that celebrates the experience of exploring Lower Manhattan through its history, people and architecture. Blockology is published by Turning Corners Press and available at turningcornerspress.com, amazon.com, and Brookline Booksmith.
Robert is a 12-year resident of the High Street neighborhood and an illustrator, whose work has appeared in major publications such as The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Travel & Leisure, and Science, including the children's book, Count-A-Saurus. He also serves as chair of the Illustration/Animation Department at the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University.
Kindly RSVP to Marie Schick at 617-731-1838 or
*Note: HSHA membership is open to all residents of the the HSHA area (the Pill Hill Historic District -- see map on our website at www.highstreethill.org) and requires a per household yearly dues of $10. Not sure if you dues is paid up? Please call our Treasurer, Jean Peteet, at 617-738-8555. Not yet a member? You should be.
We regret the passing of longtime Pill Hill resident Bertha Ann (Buffy) DeLeon of 60 High Street. Buffy was Past President of the Brookline Library Music Association, former Library Trustee and Member of Brookline Library Foundation Board of Directors. Donations in her memory may be made to the Brookline Public Library, 361 Washington St., Brookline, MA 02445.
The Gateway East Citizen Advisory Committee and its consultants will be presenting their interim report to the Board of Selectmen November 1. This update will outline the CAC's interim recommendations for public realm changes to the area surrounding Route 9 from High Street to the Boston line. Please come and find out what may be planned for an intersection near you.
November 1, 8 pm Sixth Floor Town Hall
The Highlight is printed several times a year and is distributed on foot or by bicycle by HSHA Board members and their usually willing family members. If you have a comment or contribution contact the editor, Rob Daves, at 617-566-7334 or robdaves@rcn.com.