Revere Heritage plans garner early positive reviews

Representatives of the Paul Revere Heritage Commission received initial positive feedback from the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night following a presentation on proposed uses for the Paul Revere Heritage Site and park, located off Revere Street at the former Plymouth Rubber property.

The Joseph Warren Revere Barn adapted for use as a taproom.

While plans for the heritage site remain a work in progress, commission members George Comeau, Jeremy Comeau, and Bruce Beckham outlined a vision that includes a variety of uses for the historic Revere rolling mill and barn, including a museum, learning center, and artisans’ workshop in the former building and a restaurant, tap room/pub, and function room in the latter.

Adjacent to both structures would be a large town green, which the commission members said could be used for activities such as a farmers market and live musical performances. “I see it as the town’s front lawn, and I can see it for July 4 and for Christmas and other holidays,” said commission member George Comeau.

The proponents envision a unique “public-private partnership,” which would require the establishment of a 501c3 nonprofit organization to oversee the activities of the site. Comeau said both structures would be owned by the town and the group would seek a long-term lease agreement and seed money.

The plans presented Tuesday night did not account for a school administration building on the site, which had been a recommendation of the School Building Study Committee and mentioned as a possibility when voters approved the rezoning of the property at the 2015 annual town meeting.

Comeau said both facilities will reflect the heritage of the Revere family and business. He noted that the property itself has a rich industrial heritage, starting in 1718 with the arrival of an “honest miller” and continuing with the establishment of a powder mill in 1776. Revere then built his home and copper mill on the site beginning in 1801 and it remained in the hands of the Revere & Sons Copper Co. before being sold to the Plymouth Rubber Company in 1909.

Comeau said he will apply for Community Preservation Act funds to finance archeological digs in hopes of uncovering artifacts from the demolished Revere house. Already, the Charlestown Navy Yard has agreed to donate a historic Revere bell, and the search is ongoing for a Revere cannon used in the Civil War.

Comeau said they will continue to work on design plans as well as a business plan for the heritage complex. Also providing input into the project are two public subcommittees, the Revere Building Use and Open Space committees. The final decision will be made by the Board of Selectmen based on recommendations from the commission.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Apr 28 2016. Filed under Canton History, News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.