Leftover CPA Funds Restoring More Pittsfield Plaques
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Additional downtown historic markers will be restored thanks to leftover Community Preservation Act funds.
The Community Preservation Committee last approved an extension of funds granted to the Parks Commission in 2021 for the restoration of 14 plaques in the downtown. In 2021, the project was awarded $14,000 in CPA funds and has only spent $10,000.
Now, the idea is to restore two Park Square plaques with the remaining funds: The Old Town Hall marker and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
"There's a couple of plaques that have been identified that we would love to work on," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath said, explaining that the former town hall building is back in the city's ownership and is intended for use.
The 1832 building served as first town hall and then city hall from 1891 until 1968. Over the summer while the city was looking for additional space to house Pittsfield police, it was being assessed for potential use.
The plaque sits at the top of the staircase to the front door, reading "Old Town Hall, Built in 1832, Seat of Pittsfield Government, 1832-1968, Restored 1970."
There are a few concerns with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located within the park, including weathering on the plaque, grout deterioration, and it not sitting properly on the ground. It honors the 27 Berkshire County residents who were killed in action during the Vietnam War.
"I think to honor those contributions in this monument that we need to repair that on behalf of the veteran community," McGrath said.
"So I think is really appropriate one to work on."
He added that there are around 50 other plaques on North and South Streets missing grout, that don't sit right on the sidewalk or have been presumably stolen. These will not be addressed as part of this project, as it would be a larger effort.
The city worked with Daedalus Inc. out of Watertown for the previous restorations and was pleased with the work.
"They are really good at what they do, and in fact, They take care of all the bronze statues on the Boston Common and even as far as the Supreme Court in Washington [D.C.], McGrath said.
Originally, the project was quoted at $1,000 per plaque but the final cost came to less than the anticipated $14,000, and $4,000 was left over. McGrath said identification has begun on additional plaques that need attention and are similar in size.
Committee members agreed that the additional work falls within the original application.
"It's basically the same spirit of the original application," Chair Danielle Steinmann said.
The 14 plaques completed as part of the original project are:
- Sundial in Park Square
- First Agricultural Fair plaque at Park Square
- Elkanah Watson memorial on Park Square
- Lucretia Williams memorial on Park Square
- Henry Dawes memorial on Elm Street
- Peace Party on Bank Row
- Henry Shaw Briggs memorial on Bank Row
- Maplewood Hotel site on Maplewood Ave
- Sadlowski Memorial at Veteran's Memorial Park
- Edward Burns Memorial at Veteran's Memorial Park
- Persip Memorial at Persip Park
- McKeever memorial at City Hall
- Easton's Tavern site plaque at the Berkshire Museum
- First collegiate baseball game site plaque at Maplewood and North St.
Tags: CPA, plaques, veterans memorial,
