Danvers Historical Society begins exterior restoration of Putnam House – Wicked Local Danvers

The homestead recently became the subject of a lawsuit filed against the historical society for its care of the home.

The Danvers Historical Societyrecently began an exterior restoration process of the Gen. Israel Putnam House restoration the family is calling "long overdue."

The restoration, which includes clearing the land, replacing an old fence and painting the homesteads exterior, was made possible by a $90,000 claim the society made to Liberty Mutual for damages to a fence that surrounds the property, according to President Thomas Page.

These plansfollownews of thenearly 370-year-old homestead becoming thesubject of a lawsuit filed by the Gen. Israel Homestead Trust against the Danvers Historical Society.

In the suit, the Trust alleges a breach of written contract to preserve the historical site on Maple Street. The claim, which was filed June 15 in Essex Superior Court, asks the house be conveyed back to the family and the trust be awarded for damages totaling more than $25,000.

"Thefamily taking the house back is the only way to ensure its survival," said Eric Emerson, a member of the family who grew up in the home. In 1991, the family gifted the house to the society for preservation.

Emersonsaid he would like for both the society and the house to "survive and thrive," but he doesn't thinkthe twocan do that if they remain together.

A hearing has been set for July 6, according to court records.

With so many unknownsfor the future of the homestead, Page said the society wants to focus its efforts on the home's condition in any way it can.

We know that [the suit is] going to be a heavy, heavy, heavy burden on the Danvers Historical Society and we are laying the groundwork to do extensive fundraising for the home, if need be, he said.

Page said prior to crews arriving to the homestead June 26, the Historical Society reached outto the Emersonsto let the family know theyd be on the property and to inquire if they had any concerns.

On Friday, Emersonstopped by the homestead to see how the restoration was progressing.

He said the property looked better, but the restoration was long overdue.

"It's a little like turning in your homework four semesters late,"Emerson said, describingthe workas "window dressing."

The homestead hasn't been open for scholarly reasons since 2004.He saida long history of of financial mismanagementwithin the society resulted in the deterioration of his family's home.

The care for the property requires financial and motivational resources, Emerson said.

"The family hasboth of those,"he said. "The society may have the intention, but it doesn't have the money."

Although he expressed frustration with management of the society, Emersonacknowledged the significance of the society to Danvers.

"I'd love to see the society straighten itself out,"Emerson said."I think they can doa lot of good for the town of Danvers, which does a mediocre job at publicizing its history, at best."

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Danvers Historical Society begins exterior restoration of Putnam House - Wicked Local Danvers