A trip back in time for historic Drake House as Leominster plans $1.2 million restoration

Wendy Wiiks, grants administrator for the city of Leominster, stands in front of the historic Drake House, which was used in the underground railroad. Wiiks is applying for grants to help restore the building. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / Ashley Green

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LEOMINSTER -- An architectural firm has estimated that it will cost about $1.2 million to restore the historic Drake House to how it appeared in 1851, when it hosted fugitive slave Shadrach Minkins.

Wendy Wiiks, the city's grant administrator, said the restoration plan is the first step in applying for grants to cover the cost of bringing the city-owned home, at 21 Franklin St., once used in the underground railroad, back to its original appearance.

"We'd never be able to get any grants unless we have a plan," Wiiks said Monday about the $60,000 assessment and feasibility study commissioned in August by the city and paid for with a $30,000 grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission and an equal match by the city.

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The assessment, according to the Mattapoisett architectural firm Durland Van Voorhis, sought to "document the existing conditions both structurally and architecturally, to develop short, medium and long-term preservation priorities with their related costs and to develop a schematic design plan that would both preserve the Drake House and make its history more accessible to the city and its visitors."

The firm had outside consultants inspect and analyze all aspects of the 1 1/2-story home, which included determining its original structure and paint colors.

According to the assessment, much of the original Drake House remains as it was when it was first built: "Original doors and windows are still functioning and in generally good condition.

However, because the home was built 170 years ago, several dormers have been added, as have a couple of porches, and there is asbestos siding and aluminum panning that covers the exterior.

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A trip back in time for historic Drake House as Leominster plans $1.2 million restoration