The 50th anniversary celebration of the establishment of LHC was discussed. The event will be held on Saturday October 10 and Sunday October 11 and will include talks, visits to historic sites, and a party.
The bulk of the meeting focused on a developers’ plan for Spring Lawn at 10 Kemble Street – demolish Spring Lawn, build a replica, and construct 24 housing units in and around the replicated house.
In an unusual move, the developers bypassed LHC and all applicable local bylaws and went to two state agencies: Mass Historical Commission (MHC) and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). LHC was officially informed in June of this year although correspondence went to the state agencies — including one from the Lenox Town Administrator dated October 9, 2025, supporting the demolition plan – a year ago.
At the last meeting LHC voted to contact MHC and DCR to let them know LHC would not sign the Memorandum of Agreement before conducting their own evaluation of the condition of Spring Lawn. They also might retain the right to institute the Demolition Delay Bylaw giving the Town a year to negotiate with the current developer or find another buyer before the developer can demolish. The hitch might be the request in the MOA for LHC to be a “concurring signer,” that is, a signature acknowledging understanding of the terms but without any power to change them. However, the answer to their DCR letter may change that (MHC has not responded):
“Finally, the DCR has not signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with MHC and does not plan to until it incorporates our preliminary approval letter, as it may be modified by the conclusions of the independent assessment of the mansion, and incorporates any conditions your Commission may require should you approve the project.”
DCR’s signature may be mandatory to move on to the demolition phase and their apparent support of the LHC conditions may put the local commission back in the negotiation.
One indication that may be true is for the first time on September 4, 2026, the owners/developers agreed to meet with three members of LHC. Unfortunately, it was not a public meeting but the notes from the meeting indicate:
LHC made it clear they are hiring an independent evaluator to report on the condition of Spring Lawn by a firm “with extensive demonstrated experience in rehabilitating historic buildings for modern use” as recommended by DCR.
In his letter of August 24, 2026, LHC Chair David Dryer made clear the LHC voted not to sign the MOA, voted to hire an independent evaluator of Spring Lawn, and the idea that there is widespread local support for demolition is not accurate.
There was debate among members about how to instruct an expert evaluator – many shared that they do this all the time and know what is expected and what the regulations require while others felt a detailed request was better. However that issue is resolved, the larger issue, an effort to circumvent local bylaws, has been stalled if not defeated by LHC.
