MHC letter to PEM - MA Historic Landmark review decision h � r
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commoi]``h,Massachusetts Historical Commission �I V
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September 5,2018
Robert M.Monk,Jr.
Chief of Security,Facilities Operations and Planning
Peabody Essex Museum
161 Essex St
Salem,MA 01970
RE:Massachusetts Historic Landmarks Certification,Essex Institute Complex, 134, 132, 128 and 126
Essex Street; 3 and 5 Brown Street; 3 Washington Square West, Salem,Massachusetts -
Dear Mr.Monk:
Thank you for submitting the project plans received on March 15,2018 regarding the Plummer
Hall/Daland House Complex at the Peabody Essex Museum(previously known as the Essex Institute)in
Salem. The Essex Institute Complex is a Certified Massachusetts Landmark under Massachusetts
General Laws, Chapter 9, Section 27, as recorded by a Notice of Certification filed with the Essex South
Registry of Deeds on July 25, 1972,Book 5888, Page 559. The Landmark Certification was confirmed
by votes of the Essex Institute on June 27, 1972 and by the Massachusetts Historical Commission on July
22, 1972. The Peabody Essex Museum is also subject to Salem Historical Commission review. The
Massachusetts Historical Commission has been in contact with the Salem Historical Commission and
understands that the SHC has been actively meeting with representatives of the Peabody Essex Museum
between December 2017 through to May 2018. During this timeframe,multiple Certificate of
Appropriateness approvals have been issued involving this project.
Staff of the Massachusetts Historical Commission(MHC)have reviewed the plans prepared by Schwartz
Silver Architects and dated 3/7/18. The MHC understands that the plans will involve both rehabilitation
and restoration work proposed for the Phillips Library which is comprised of Plummer Hall,the Daland
Building,the Vault Building and the Connector Building. Reflected on these plans are several key
changes which include the following:
Approved
• Elimination of the 1966 Stacks Building/Restoration of the Vault Building historic window
openings/windows
• Lowering of the Connector Building main entrance/Eliminate exterior brownstone stairs as
accessibility improvement
• Removal of the fire escape/Restoring window openings of the West fagade of Plummer Hall
220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125
(617) 727-8470 • Fax: (617) 727-5128
www.sec.state.ma.us%mhc
• Rear entrance decking and stairs including conversion of window into a new door at the
Connector Building
• New.sloped entrance at the base of the Vault Building
• Brownstone fagade repairs Plummer Hall/Daland building
• Uncovering of the existing front stairs leading into the Daland Building(remove landscaping)
Including adding walkway to perimeter fence,adding access gate to the fence;restoring
balustrade over the Daland Portico
Not Approved
• Relocating the brownstone staircase(or a reproduction of the original staircase)removed from the
front of the Connector Building back to its original location on the front of Plummer Hall at the
Palladian window location.
The MHC is supportive and approves of all but the last identified change. The moving of the brownstone
stair back to its original location at the Palladian window in the front of the Plummer Building is not
approved based upon integrity issues. The restored stairway would lead not to a door but to a window
and therefore no longer maintain the overall building integrity.
To date,the MHC has only received plans describing proposed exterior changes to the Phillips Library.
Please provide architectural plans describing all proposed interior changes to the library as well as current
photos shows the areas of impact.
These comments.are provided to assist in compliance with M.G.L. Chapter 9, Section 27 and the terms of
the Certified Massachusetts Historic Landmark requirements.
Sin er- y,
Paul Holtz
Historical Architect
Co-Director,Grants Division
Massachusetts Historical Commission
Cc: Dan L.Monroe,Director and CEO,Peabody Essex Museum;
Salem Historical Commission