Dartmouth Heritage Preservation Trust Annual Meeting

The public is cordially invited to the Annual Meeting of the Dartmouth Heritage Preservation Trust on Thursday, July 29, 2009, 5:00 P.M. at the historic Wamsutta Club (James Arnold/William J. Rotch Mansion) 427 County Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts. Refreshments will be served following the brief business meeting and special guest lecture. Michael P. Dyer, Maritime Curator, the New Bedford Whaling Museum is the guest speaker.

Mr. Dyer’s topic is The Heritage of Landscape:
“Advocacy for local history and community historical preservation coupled with wise and responsible local government action strengthens neighborhood bonds, inspires citizens and reinforces civic pride. Communities representing the thirteen original colonies up and down the Eastern Seaboard have taken a stand in the face of enormous development challenges to preserve historical structures and to a lesser extent, landscapes. These preservation efforts are a marketable commodity as a significant portion of the population put a high value both on visiting these dignified American locales and potentially living in a neighborhood where historical structures are maintained.”
––Michael P. Dyer in support of the 1762 Akin House

Mr. Dyer’s museum career began in 1987 at the Historical Society of York County, Pennsylvania, as manager of the 18th century historical house site, Horatio Gates House, Golden Plough Tavern and Barnett Bobb Log House. At this time he began to engage in living history woodworking demonstrations as outreach programs to local schools. Following a variety of roles in museums, in management and as a curator, Mr. Dyer started work at the Kendall Whaling Museum in 1994 and transferred to the New Bedford Whaling Museum in 2001 where he currently works as the museum’s Maritime Curator.

Mr. Dyer holds a B.A. in American History, York College of Pennsylvania, M.A. in American Studies from Penn. State University with a focus on 18th century American furniture and the Yankee whaling industry. In 2008 he was a U.S.A. Gallery Fellowship in American Studies in American/Australian whaling connections at the Australian National Maritime Museum

Out going President Diane M. Gilbert will report on the stabilization of the Elihu Akin house and the DHPT’s activities during the past year. Ms. Gilbert was the guiding force behind the organization of the DHPT and has served as its president since 2007. During her years as President, she has managed every aspect of the Akin House from its transfer to the Trust from WHALE to obtaining stabilization funds from the Dartmouth Community Preservation Act Committee. She has administered the grant contract and worked assiduously with contractor Paul Choquette of Paul Choquette & Company, Historical Masonry Artisans and the project architect, Joe Booth of Dyer Brown SouthCoast. Ms. Gilbert will continue her mission with the Akin House for the DHPT.

During her tenure she negotiated the transfer of significant Dartmouth artifacts from the Y to the custody of the DHPT. Most recently Ms. Gilbert on behalf of the DHPT has arranged for the Trust to hold a preservation restriction for the Y’s historic Gulf Hill Dairy. Her management skills, devotion to the organization and tireless advocacy are greatly valued.

Peggi Medeiros has been nominated as the incoming president of the Trust. She has worked in historic preservation since 1979.
The research work to produce a comprehensive history of the William J. Rotch Gothic Cottage, 19 Irving Street, New Bedford – the first version was released in the 1980s for the MHC; an updated report was produced for its National Historic Landmark nomination. Most recently she has written a National Historic Landmark nomination for the James Arnold Mansion.

Recently, Ms. Medeiros has found her own voice to stand up to fight for endangered properties. She is most proud of her attempt to save the recently demolished Fairhaven Mills and gutted Baker Robinson. In May she was chosen as one of Preservation Massachusetts first Paul E. Tsongas Profiles in Preservation Honorees from New Bedford. Ms. Medeiros said, “John Crowley wrote four novels exploring the moments when history changes and what we remember about the change. He supposes, “There is more than one history of the world.”
In May she was chosen as one of Preservation Massachusetts first Paul E. Tsongas Profiles in Preservation Honorees from New Bedford. Ms. Medeiros said, “John Crowley wrote four novels exploring the moments when history changes and what we remember about the change. He supposes, “There is more than one history of the world.”

She went to say, “I’m convinced there is more than one history of New Bedford and Old Dartmouth. There’s the history that everyone says happened. There’s the history that gets written and finally there’s the under history. The under history gets lost and in many ways it’s the most important history because that history involves the reasons for what happened. Who cared? Who didn’t? Who lost their principals or never had any? Why is New Bedford the way it is today? I love cities. I love architecture and history, most specifically New Bedford’s and I love bringing the under history back.”

She concluded by saying, “I believe we need to be very clear that when a great building is demolished, the criminal assault to our culture and ourselves extends forward beyond the life of any ten-year replacement. The future has been cheapened irreparably. The past has been betrayed, erased and made irrelevant, usually for the most frivolous and fleeting of reasons. Our great buildings are not our playthings. We are all accountable when the demolition specialists move in to bulldoze our under history forever.”

Please join the DHPT on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at the Wamsutta Club to hear guest lecturer, Michael Dyer and to honor Diane M. Gilbert for her service. For additional information, please contact Peggi Medeiros, (508) 992-9624 or pmedeiros@ComCast.net