Clark House 3.0: Latest Plan Includes Historical Society, Library to Save Homestead

Historic District Commission Co-Char Mike Smith is trying to pull one final rabbit out of the hat in his multiple attempts to save the Thomas Clark House, the 1760s-era structure moved in Feb. 2012 from its long-time homestead on Common Street to a temporary location on Concord Avenue to save it from the wrecking ball.

In his lasted plan, which he introduced to the Belmont Board of Selectmen at its Monday morning meeting, Sept. 9, Smith said the two-story pre-Revolutionary building would be placed on a slice of land at the far end of the Belmont Public Library on Concord Avenue and become the headquarters of the Belmont Historical Society.

And now, Smith has to tell the participants about his plan as most have not been told of this latest version of saving the home.

"There are numerous stakeholders and not all have been contacted," said Smith, noting that he has held informal talks with individuals representing the groups which includes the Board of Library Trustees, the Belmont Garden Club – they maintain the land being proposed – and the Historical Society.

And it is the Historical Society that is "a key player" to make this plan work as they would move from their long-time home in the Library's Claflin Room to the Clark House which would be located on a small parcel on library land abutting the First Armenian Church.

Smith said the plan would be a win for everyone: the library gains back 900 square-feet of space in the compacted building, the Historical Society gains a wonderfully intact 260-year-old building that will allow it to expand and the house is saved from being demolished. 

"[The Society] then moves to a headquarters and treat it as a museum space," said Smith.

For one of the stakeholders in his new plan, Board of Library Trustees are taking a wait-and-see approach to the idea, voting to take a "neutral" view of the proposal, according to Trustee chair Matt Lowrie. 

Smith said he will be meeting with the board of the Historical Society on Wednesday, Sept. 11. 

One thing Smith now has is time on his hand; the Historical District Commission raised $11,000 to secure another year's worth of insurance to stay at its "temporary" site at 301 Concord Ave. across from the Underwood Pool. 

In addition, the Historical District Commission will be seeking $600,000 from the Community Preservation Act Committee in this funding cycle.

"This is exactly the kind of project the CPA was created," Smith told the Selectmen, adding that the project would need an additional $150,000 to pay for the move and settling the house. 

While the Board have been supportive of saving the house, Selectman Andy Rojas reminded Smith that he told the board in the past that the project would be supported by private funds.

"That's not where we are today," Rojas said.

After the meeting, Smith agreed that supporters are looking to use public-supported funds.

"But if you can find me a privately-funded way, I would jump at it in a second. But it just isn't there," said Smith.