In a three-page letter dated September 16, 2026. responding to Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Lenox Historical Commission (LHC) Chair Davis Dyer made clear the LHC position with respect to Spring Lawn, 10 Kemble Street, Lenox.
Just to recap prior events. The current owners/developers bypassed the local commission, thus bypassing local bylaws including the demolition delay bylaw, and went directly to the state agencies, DCR and MHC. MHC sent a memo agreeing to the demolition and requesting signatures from DCR and LHC.
Chair Dyer apprized the state agencies of the its actions taken at its September 10, 2026 meeting.
Dyer wrote, “The LHC again deferred action on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s (MHC) Memo of Agreement (MOA) on Spring Lawn following advice from the Lenox Town Counsel that signing it would conflict with the Town’s Demolition Delay Bylaw. The LHC continues to push for an independent and complete assessment of the Spring Lawn mansion by an individual or firm with extensive professional experience in conducting such assessments and in the restoration and preservation of historical buildings.”
Dyer expressed appreciation of DCR letter of September 10, 2026 in which DCR appeared to support the independent assessment before a final determination was made.
Both DCR in its letter and LHC proposed conditions prior to signing the Memo Of Agreement such as a report from a licensed architect with experience in reconstruction or rehabilitation of historic structures documenting compliance of the final design for the rebuilt Spring Lawn mansion with Standards for Reconstruction; verify that the Design documents comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Statements for Reconstruction and Guidelines for Reconstructing Historical Buildings; LHC recommends that DCR require the developers to take out a construction bond in the amount of the estimated cost of the Spring Lawn mansion demolition and replication, and that the developers secure the mansion to prevent future deterioration during the assessment and permitting processes.
“The LHC recalls that in the year 2000 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts granted $500,000 to the then-owners of the Spring Lawn estate in return for them accepting a Historical Preservation/Conservation Restriction in perpetuity. The LHC questions whether the current developers will be required to reimburse the Commonwealth in today’s value or perhaps compensate the Town of Lenox in the event the Mansion is not rehabilitated.”
Copies were sent to Senator Paul Mark, Representative Leigh Davis, members of the Lenox Select Board, and Town Administrator.
Lenox Historical Commission is also asking for support for their HISTORIC BUILDING PLAQUE PROGRAM Help support historic preservation and celebrate your properties unique place in time. Lenox is proud of its many historic buildings that tell a story of the town’s architectural and social history. Plaques are 12″ high x 16″ wide, made of wood with three coats of latex-based white paint front and back, and six coats on the edges. Holes are pre-drilled and screws are provided for mounting. If your house was built more than 75 years ago and you have any questions or interest, just contact Jim Biancolo (lenoxprojects@gmail.com).
