SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Historical Society is promoting some of the town’s most interesting historical homes in its new brochure.
David Gunn, chairman of the Commission, said homes and buildings located around the center of town were selected for the first brochure, titled “A Sampling of Historic Buildings of Southwick, Massachusetts Center,” because of their proximity to the Rail Trail.
“We plan to place these in the kiosks on the trail so people can use it as a walking tour guide,” said Gunn. “We know there are other buildings in town that are architecturally and historically of interest and we may expand and do another brochure in the future.”
The town’s unofficial historian Lee Hamburg spearheaded the effort and provided all the photos and most of the historical information on the 15 buildings featured, including the Old Southwick Public Library at 475 College Highway.
Gunn said the Commission is currently in the process of trying to find a business to rent the property while keeping its historical integrity.
“We would really like to repurpose the Old Library,” said Gunn. “We want to preserve the exterior and find a renter who can renovate the interior for its needs, but work with us to preserve it.”
Next door to the Old Library is another historic building featured in the brochure – The Southwick Inn. Since 1780, some sort of tavern or inn has occupied the property. The original building burned in 1905 and was replaced with the front two-thirds of the present structure.
Just down the street are several structures also highlighted in the brochure, including the Herman Laflin-Phelps farmhouse at 20 Depot St., and the Gingerbread House at 36 Depot St.
Other buildings featured in the brochure include the former Consolidated School, which is now Southwick Town Hall, the Saul Fowler Homestead, now the Country Colonial Shop, and the Edwin Gilbert House.
The brochure is available in the Town Clerk’s Office during Town Hall business hours as well as the Historical Society Museums. Gunn said it should be available in the Rail Trail kiosks soon and can be sent by mail.
