Barn
Project Overview
The Association is planning to reconstruct a 30 x 40 foot historic Burlington barn southwest of the Francis Wyman House. The barn would:Provide a shelter for the utility/mechanical room that is sympathetic to the site
- Allow the Francis Wyman House to be more accurately interpreted as part of a 17th-19th century working farm
- Create retail and rental income that would assist the Association and associated preservation partners in completing the post-fire repairs and the public opening of the Francis Wyman House
- Provide a location for the proposed Burlington Farm Museum
- Generate greater highway visibility for the Francis Wyman House and Burlington Farm Museum project
- Create new partnership and event opportunities between the Association, Burlington Historical Commission, Burlington Historical Society, Burlington Archives, schools, scouts, and associated partners.
- Alleviate overcrowding in the Burlington Historical Museum (13 Bedford St., corner of Cambridge St.) and provide better access, interpretation and display of Burlington farm history memorabilia
- Reduce security risks at the Francis Wyman House
- Potentially create a museum caretaker / curator / guide position
- Enhance Burlington educational, historical, scenic and recreational assets
- Provide contextual interpretation for Burlington’s 300-year identity (1640s-1940s) as a prominent agricultural community
- Boost local history education and civic pride
- Create a stronger visitor draw to the Francis Wyman House and other cultural heritage sites in Burlington. This project will help develop local history trails and the local heritage tourism economy
- Create a new heritage tourism base to spur more sympathetic and sensitive re-use and interpretive programs for other endangered local sites e.g., Clapp’s Mill (Sawmill Rd.) and the remaining two houses and front barn of Grandview Farm (59 Center St.), as well as the Walker Barn (138 Cambridge St.)
