PEABODY — Just because the Peabody Historical Society’s Smith Barn at the Felton-Smith Historic Site at Brooksby Farm is closed, that doesn’t mean the building can’t use a little sprucing up to look its best for when it reopens.
Monday, four inmates from the Lawrence Correctional Alternative Center, accompanied by one guard, began work to give the barn a new fresh coat of paint.
The society’s office manager, Bonita DeLorenzo, said safety protocols will be observed. She expects the project will take a minimum of three to four days to complete if all goes according to plan.
“We last painted the barn two years ago, so the building now does need some care,” said DeLorenzo. “The collaboration with Lawrence provides the inmates with important work skills and, at the same time, helps the society preserve our historic buildings. For the inmates, I have to think this also helps their morale, especially during the epidemic.”
This isn’t the first time that the society and the correctional center have partnered together. Two years ago, Society President Dick St. Pierre approached Lawrence with a proposal to secure the services of inmates for another painting project.
“It started a couple of years ago when they painted the Felton Jr. House and then the Felton Sr. House and they did a really nice job. We knew the barn needed to be repainted, so we thought, ‘Why not?’ It was such a big success two years ago, so Dick contacted them and they jumped at the chance,” said DeLorenzo, adding that the society will, once again, provide lunch and beverages.
The correction facility supplies inmates to area communities on a regular basis for similar work details. One unnamed inmate said he goes out on jobs every week, working last week on a project for the Lynn DPW.
“It’s a good behavior-type thing, part of the reentry system,” he said. “It’s a good way to integrate back into society, and you get a pretty good lunch, too,” adding that, after serving 13 months of his sentence, he will be paroled Aug. 11, following which he will be back to his job as a union carpenter in Boston.
Another inmate said this was his first year in the program and he was happy to be able to help out in the community, in spite of near-record heat.
“It’s hot, but the breeze feels great,” he said.
DeLorenzo said there currently are no plans in place regarding reopening the barn.
“With so much uncertainty, we are still closed due to the virus and don’t foresee any immediate reopening,” she said. “We are just taking our time and hoping to open. We just don’t know when.”
Society Treasurer Tom Zellen was high on a scaffold helping out.
“We’ll be here all week and just want to be ready for our next wedding, whenever that might be,” he said. “We normally have about 40 weddings a year, but sadly have had none so far this year.”
In 1902, Joseph N. Smith, a wealthy Lynn shoe manufacturer, purchased the two Nathanial Felton houses (built around 1700) and several abutting properties to form what is now Brooksby Farm. Originally known by long-time residents as the “Old Apple Barn,” Smith Barn was built in 1903 by Smith to store apples harvested from his orchards as well as grain for the animals and farming implements. In normal times, the barn hosts numerous community events, including the society’s annual craft fair in October. In addition to weddings, the barn can also be rented for corporate events, and private parties. For additional information, contact the Peabody Historical Society & Museum at 978-531-0805.
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