'Down Memory Lane' Issues a Success in DaltonBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
03:56PM / Saturday, February 10, 2024 | |
 The Historical Commission has sold 32 of its first 40 copies of 'Down Memory Lane' and has ordered 20 more. |
DALTON, Mass. — The reissuing of the book "Down Memory Lane" has been a success, Historical Commission members said during its meeting on Wednesday.
At the time of meeting there were only eight more copies left of the 40 reprints. The commission started to accept orders in December.
Commissioners voted to order another 20 copies.
This is the second time they ordered more copies. They initially ordered 20 from Adams Specialty & Printing Co. but voted to order another 20 during their last meeting due to the high demand.
The commission is interested in selling the books at elections where they hope to be able to accept cash. This will be discussed in more detail at a future meeting.
More information on the reissuing of "Down Memory Lane" here.
The commission is also went over the next steps in developing two more historical districts. Co-Chair Deborah Kovacs said it has to gather pictures and the historical district footprint before hiring an expert. This is after speaking with Ben Haley, preservation planner at the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
The commission has to have a contract with an expert by the end of the year, she said. The funding to hire a specialist is coming from a state cultural grant in the amount of $5,000.
In addition, there is funding from a $15,000 matching grant that was approved during a town meeting in May 2022 for the establishment of the second and a third historic district.
During a previous meeting, the commission decided to establish the last two proposed historic districts, Dalton Center and East Main Street, one at a time rather than simultaneously.
Using the $5,000 from the state cultural grant will allow for a matching amount of $5,000 from the town, which will be used to establish the Dalton Center Historic District.
Over the next few months the commission will gather material from its collection and discuss next steps when co-Chair Louisa Hort returns to the area at the end of May.
More information on the establishing of the historic districts here.
In other news:
• The commission is researching the history of Sugar Hill and the surrounding grounds.
Sugar Hill management reached out to the commission a couple years ago to inquire on hosting speakers to inform residents of the building's history.
The commission is working to research not only the history and origins of the building but also the grounds to inform future collaboration opportunities with the assisted living facility.
A majority of the commission's collection was being stored at First Congregational Church while Town Hall was being renovated. Now that it's been moved back, commissioners are rediscovering some items that can inform the research of the facility's building and the surrounding area.
• The town's received its first quote for the project of painting the Fitch Hoose House. The funds will need to be approved during the town meeting in May.
The museum's exterior is starting to peel and weather, and would need to be repainted this year or next year. More information here. | 
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