Hubbardville Proposal is Back at Town Meeting

While historic districts do not prevent change, their local review system encourages and ensures that alteration and new development is compatible with the character of an existing historic area. The Concord Historic Districts Bylaw, in fact, pledges to "promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of buildings, places, and districts of historic or literary significance... "

The group of properties on the west side of Sudbury Road between Riverdale and Fairhaven Roads is just such an area (map). This small section of Concord was the core of the old Hubbard family farm at the center of "Hubbardville" and retains a cluster of three beautiful eighteenth- and nineteenth-century farmsteads, as well as the nationally-known "summer studio" of sculptor Daniel Chester French. It is closely bound to two centuries of Concord's agricultural history, spans nearly a century-and-a-half of its architecture, and through its connection with author and historian Samuel Eliot Morison, carries Concord's "literary tradition" into the twentieth century.

It is my belief that the establishment of a small Local Historic District for this section of Sudbury Road would eminently benefit the town by preserving the character of one of its most beautiful and significant areas. In doing so, we not only pay homage to the traditional New England values of family, farming and community service embodied by generations of Hubbards, but we also honor the memory of Daniel Chester French; acknowledging the inspirational force that Concord had on the artist and the enormous contribution that he, in return, made to our town's and to our nation's identity.

A proposal for a Hubbardville Historic District is once again on the agenda for Town Meeting. This year, the warrant article is sponsored by the Concord Historic Districts Commission, which I serve on as an associate member. My partner Gail and I live in an old farmhouse in the America Mile District, where we are busy restoring the house and barn. Over the years, we appeared before the HDC a number of times and generally found the process helpful in our efforts. The volunteers who serve on the Commission have years of design experience and a wealth of information about techniques and materials that often improve the projects being reviewed.

While I appreciate that our positive view of the HDC is not shared by everyone, I hope that you are willing to examine the facts and make up your own mind. Every citizen is part of this process and I urge each of you to share your views at the hearings and information sessions on this petition and to participate in Town Meeting.

I believe that the preservation of Concord's heritage for future generations is a worthy goal and urge your support of Article 45, Hubbardville Historic District.

Town Meeting Information here