Lotta Rice Dunham wrote in her " History of Burlington " that after Marion Tavern/Grandview Farm’s " old barn once sheltered the fine horses used on the stagecoaches, (it) was then used for the large herd of blooded cattle owned by Mr. (Charles) McIntire. "

In fact, in the mid 1800s, Abner and Sarah Marion operated a stagecoach stop at the tavern. Dunham wrote that stagecoach drivers, on the Boston/Lowell run, would stop there to change horses, and pick up mail and passengers. But by the early 1860s, stagecoach business fell victim to the new and faster railroads, and the introduction of a railroad line in Woburn ended Marion Tavern’s run as a stagecoach stop. Recalling part of her town’s history, Martha Sewall Curtis wrote in 1909 of the Marion Tavern, " The last coach and four has passed over the hill, the bustle of arrival and departure, the twill of the horn, the merry laughter and jests are but a memory. "

Following the decline of Marion’s stagecoach business, Burlington native Charles McIntire purchased the property about 1870, and established an extensive dairy farm and milk route there. Local historians credit him with giving it the name, Grandview; town historian John E. Fogelberg wrote, " The front windows of the beautiful old house command a delightful view of the west, and one can see Mt. Monadnock shimmering in the distance on a clear warm day. "

The historical significance of Grandview as a stagecoach stop and a dairy farm, and the property’s overall importance as Burlington’s " most visible and best surviving example of a 19th century connected farm complex " have prompted town officials to take steps to preserve the site. Based on research recently completed by John Goff of Historic Preservation and Design, a plan is in the works to dismantle Grandview’s rear barn, and move and re-construct select parts of it on the newly discovered barn foundation at the Francis Wyman House site on Francis Wyman Road. In addition, under terms of the yet-to-be-approved land swap between the town, Gary Ruping, and the Gutierrez Co., the integrity of the historic farm would be preserved and the farmhouse restored.

Following inspection of the rear barn in December, Goff, a preservation architect, outlined the current condition of the structure, and noted, " the barn paints a vivid picture of changing 18th and 19th century community values in Burlington. " He wrote in his report, " Building Status and Preservation Recommendations: Rear Barn at Grandview Farm, " which was submitted to a newly established partnership of the town, the Burlington Historical Commission and the Francis Wyman Association, that the rear barn evolved through three historic periods.

The first-period barn, a 30’x 40’detached structure in the early New England Colonial or English style, was most likely built prior to 1850, and there is considerable evidence, Goff reports, that it may have actually been built in the mid or late 18th century.

During its second period, around 1850, the barn was separated longitudinally, widened by 10 feet, patched, re-connected, and lengthened to 90 feet. Goff writes it was likely expanded to create a new Greek Revival style horse barn to accommodate the Marions’ stagecoach and tavern business.

During its third period, in the late 19th century, the enlarged and expanded barn was furnished with two pyramidal hip roof ventilators in the then-prevalent Colonial Revival style; a shed-roof addition and main sliding doors were also added. Goff writes the McIntires made the changes to coincide with the property’s new use as a dairy farm.

Goff reports that following his December inspection, he found the barn to be in fair to poor condition. The building is " severely weathered, distorted due to foundation and frame failures, and open to the elements. " The barn’s most serious problems, according to Goff, result from " structural failure and decay " at the basement level, caused at least in part by improper drainage and drain maintenance, an area of collapsed foundation walls, and acid and moisture deterioration of wood.

Writing that " the severity of these problems, particularly at basement level, have thrown into question the very feasibility of further maintaining, repairing or re-using this barn upon its current site, " Goff recommends that the original 30’ x 40’ barn be properly documented (through drawings and photographs); that significant artifacts be retrieved for Burlington Historical Museum use; and that the barn be dismantled and its pieces be protected and stored until they can be reconstructed at the Francis Wyman site.

The reconstructed barn, he writes, could be developed as the Burlington Farm Museum, which would reflect Burlington’s 300-year agricultural heritage, and would enhance the Francis Wyman site, which is currently undergoing a multi-year restoration. Goff reports the farm museum could also function as an educational center and could be income-producing. The Francis Wyman Association (FWA) owns the house and surrounding land, but under an agreement with the town, when restoration is complete, the property will be open to the public for historic and educational uses.

In response to Goff’s recommendations, a Burlington Barns Task Force is being developed, with support from town officials, the FWA, the Burlington historical commission and society, and the Burlington Archives. It will focus on documenting Burlington barns which survive, and on finding new grants and resources to support the long-term maintenance, repair and re-use of those barns. Grandview’s rear barn is not the only endangered barn; most of the more than 100 barns which still stood in Burlington in the early 20th century have been lost to development, urbanization, or other factors, according to Goff. Other endangered barns include the Walker House barn on Bedford Street, the Manning Barn on Francis Wyman Road, the Lundragin-Looby Barn on Mountain Road, and the Cutler Barn on Mill Street.

To read more press releases or news articles, please go to our Press Room.

Home