PEMBROKE HISTORIC TRANSPLANT PROGRAM

The Pembroke Historical Commission (PHC) is pleased to announce the formation of the Pembroke Historic Transplant Program (PHTP).  Conceived in 2016 in response to the alarming rate at which historic homes were being demolished to make way for new developments along the South Shore of Massachusetts, PHC members Miles Prescott and Steve Herrmann sought a way to preserve historic fixtures and artifacts of New England from 17th, 18th and 19th century homes. PHTP, aka The Transplant Program, salvages doors, windows, mantle pieces from properties slated for demolition. PHTP then and donates these reclaimed items to local owners of historic homes demonstrating need for such unique, antique items.  “As Pembroke has lost many early 19th, 18th and even 17th century homes over the last few years, we endeavor to save and transplant what we can to bring new life to another historic home” said Herrmann.

In 2017, PHC identified and secured its first select artifacts from the 49 Cross Street residence in Pembroke built circa 1724. Scheduled for demolition to make way for a new memory care living facility, the 1724 Cross Street homeowners and contractors were most accommodating in carefully handling and reserving these early 18th century items for PHC. Through the Transplant Program, PHC has since completed its first successful transplant of artifacts to the 1702 Thomas Loring House located on Pembroke’s High Street. The Transplant recipient homeowner stated, “I was pleased to be the good steward of a pair of frame and panel cabinet doors from the 1724 house on Cross Street. The craftsmanship of the joiner that made them is exquisite. The hardware is hand forged. It’s the type of work that is only done by a small group of artisans today. I plan to use them as cabinet doors in the kitchen of my 1702 house. I’m very grateful for the transplant program!” Transplants are underway to recycle an interior door into an historic residence on Forest Street as well as a fireplace mantle from the Cross Street property which has been reserved for Pembroke’s Turner House which is currently being restored and which was the location of the drafting of 1772 The Pembroke Resolves.

Ideally, New England towns would prevent the destruction of these buildings thereby preserving examples of our unique New England architecture, craftsmanship and history.  An example of a recent major loss is the demolition of the Squire Keen Mansion on Barker Street in Pembroke. The significance of the mid-18th century Squire Keene Mansion is well documented and prominently featured in Henry Wheatland Litchfield’s 1909 publication Ancient Landmarks of Pembroke. As development booms and more historic homes are lost, PHC encourages owners of historic homes to protect their legacy by placing them in a Preservation Trust. As an example, a Preservation Trust saved the 1739 Recompense Magoun House on Elm Street in Pembroke.

Photos of the artifacts available for transplant, applications for donating or receiving items are available at the Pembroke Historical Society website https://www.pembrokehistoricalsociety.org/historic-transplant-program.html

The Pembroke Historical Commission is delighted to launch the Pembroke Historic Transplant Program and is encouraged by the demand to preserve our common history one artifact at a time. Please direct inquiries to: Miles Prescott, Pembroke Historical Commission Member at msrprescott@gmail.com or 339-933-0643.

If you are interested in claiming or donating a Recycled Architectural Item, complete the relevant application below and return to: 
 
By Email to Pembroke Historical Society Research Director, Miles Prescott at msrprescott@gmail.com
 
By U.S. Mail to  Pembroke Historic Transplant Program c/o Pembroke Historical Society P.O. Box 122 Pembroke, MA 02359