2007 Most Endangered Structures List
For thirteen years, Preservation Worcester has published an annual list of Most Endangered Structures, with the goal of publicizing and alerting the public about the threats to some of our city’s most historic buildings and sites. The List garners city-wide attention to the condition of these structures and their importance to our city. It often serves as a catalyst for restoration and preservation.
Over the years, the citizens and community leaders of Worcester have often responded with concern and aid, and important historic structures have been saved from the wrecking ball or demolition by neglect. Among the “success stories” from previous Most Endangered lists are: Bull Mansion/GAR Hall on Pearl Street, which was restored as a restaurant; the Chestnut Street Congregational Church, now the New England Dream Center; the Shaarai Torah Synagogue, recently converted into condos and lofts; the Rogers Kennedy Memorial in Elm Park which has been restored and rededicated; the Tiffany stained glass windows of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Southbridge Street near Holy Cross; the Quinsigamond Baptist Church, which was moved a quarter mile in Quinsigamond Village and is now the Steeple Marketplace; and the Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank Street Clock at 50 Front Street. The popular clock, erected in 1891, has been restored and will return to its downtown location in a few months–in working order for the first time in many years.
This year’s list includes a carriage house used as a studio by John Singer Sargent when he painted one of his most famous portraits; a rare surviving example of the grand “atmospheric theatres” which awed movie-goers in the 1920’s; the oldest public health laboratory in the country; and other buildings which are important to Worcester’s varied and colorful architectural history.
2008
Most Endangered Nomination Form
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