I cannot disagree with the previous post that asserts that converting the Perkins building into a residential unit would be far better than what seems like the main alternative – demolition. However, there is genuine hope that it can be preserved and restored in a way to more fully preserve its historical merit.

It is not clear to me how it came to its current straits, but over the past week I have learned that:

1) The owner of the property may be willing to sell the entire property.
2) There is reason to believe that it would be possible to take the property, split off the outbuilding that is of historic interest, and resell the main building at little or no net cost.
3) A local bank appears to be willing to cooperate in financing the deal – to work actively to assist in the preservation of the historic property.
4) The Historical Society of Old Newbury may have interest in owning the historic property.

It appears that through a series of events, the obvious solution has so far proven elusive. However an effort to preserve the historic property is afoot and gaining at least some momentum. Good people are working on it.

What we need most is to understand in detail what the interests and resources of the Historical Society are – what they need in order to accept the building, and what help they might provide in the process of acquiring it. We are already working on this, but we are not yet where we need to be.

The other thing we need is the help of people willing move the effort forward in a coordinated way. If you are a member of the historical society, please contact them to urge them to pursue the acquisition. And we need more people to help coordinate and move the effort forward.

If you are able to help with this, please contact: Ed Cameron at: ed_cameron@hotmail.com or me at 499-4440.

Jim Stiles, Newburyport