staff letter to owner - 6 Federal Court
KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL
MAYOR
TOM DANIEL, AICP
DIRECTOR
CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
98 WASHINGTON STREET ♦ SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970
TELE: 978-619-5685
November 25, 2019
Mary F. Richards, Trustee
H. Berkley Peabody 2008 Revocable Trust
50 Pinevale Avenue
Reading, MA 01867
RE: The Grimshawe House, 53 Charter Street, Salem, MA
Dear Ms. Richards,
Thank you for meeting with me and Historical Commission members several weeks ago to view the carriage
barn at 6 Federal Court. I am writing today to discuss the other property owned by your family’s trust at 53
Charter Street. As you may be aware, the City will soon undertake an extensive site restoration project at the
adjacent Charter Street Cemetery, which is expected to begin in Spring 2020. This project will include new
defined pathways in the cemetery, new lighting and benches and restoration of the historic iron fencing on
Charter Street and adjacent to your property (please see attached drawings). The cemetery’s restoration will
preserve one of Salem’s most historic sites and will continue efforts to revitalize the streetscape of Charter
Street, which began with the Peabody Essex Museum’s improvements at the rear of their main campus.
Last year, your family’s trust received approval to restore the historic Grimshawe House at 53 Charter Street for
housing and office use. The Historical Commission and the City were very excited to see that efforts were
underway to preserve this iconic historic landmark in downtown Salem. I understand that restoration work has
stopped at the property and the building remains in transition. As I have mentioned to your attorney, the City
would like to offer its assistance in facilitating the successful restoration of this building. Per Mr. Fitzpatrick’s
request, I have included a list of area restoration carpenters as well as information on historic tax credit
programs to this letter. The City would like to meet with you to discuss your renovation plans and project
schedule to ensure that the City’s work in the cemetery and your project move forward smoothly. We would
also like to discuss opportunities for potential partnerships. I will reach out to you in the next week to
coordinate a meeting.
Sincerely,
Patti Kelleher
Preservation Planner
Cc: John D. Fitzpatrick, Pingitore & Fitzpatrick, LLC