If this house is razed, I don't hold out much hope for any historic building in town. I don't think some faceless corporation from out of state cares about it, and that's a huge part of the problem. Instead of building up and supporting our local businesses, we are letting companies with no real interest in our town dictate what happens to it.

It is actually one of very few pleasant looking building along Route 38. It would be disappointing to see the "use" changed. I'm sure planning and zoning will review any changes and review any potential impacts and fees, especially traffic. And I suspect Historic will comment as well.

Boy, this really tugs at my heart. Having grown up in Tewksbury that building was the home of the Town Clerk. It was always there! Mr. Ginsberg did a wonderful job with the renovation. I understand that you cannot stop progress, but it would be a darn shame to tear it down. We have so few historical buildings in town. Let's all hope for the best outcome. And that would be to use the building for offices of some sort. Lets face it.. car dealership showrooms and offices are not the best looking things. They are there to seal the deal and nothing else. Using the old home would be a lot more attractive.

Looking into my crystal ball, I see a parking lot sitting there soon.

Put it next to the Caswell...at least it'll make a classy looking brothel.

I don't hold out much hope that Ira cares at all. Heck, their radio commercials say "TOOksberry."

Oh, brother! Only in Tewksbury could such a tragedy happen! You just KNOW that's the end of the Pike House, unfortunately.

Tell you what... If Mr. Ginzberg were such a great guy, he would have donated it to the town to become the home of The Tewksbury Historical Commission. Would have been a nice tax write-off for him, but it tells you where his head is an isn't.

Whose idea was it to turn this town into car dealers, pizza/sub joints, take-out fast food burger joints, Chinese take-out, dollar stores(plural!), a huge discount store that has higher prices than anywhere else, a bunch of motels (hookers, OD's, Domestic Abuse), a Home Depot (high theft), a Giant Wal-Mart (high theft) and empty commercial buildings all over the place. Do ALL the people who run this town come from the inner city? Noone sees anything tragic about what this town has become? I guess what you'll put up with depends on what you're used to. Shame.

As Vice President of the Tewksbury Historical Society, I can attest to the fact that the T.H.S. Board of Directors has spent a lot of time over the last handful of months looking into creative ways to try and save this important building. As stated above, this town's track record of saving historic structures ranks somewhere between bleak and grim but we (as a town) recently secured the funding to save the Ella Flemings School and we are looking to carry that momentum forward to saving both The Hardy-Pike House, as well as Ames Castle.

I believe both Ira and Mr Ginsburg are on board with saving the original Hardy-Pike house, one of the options is moving it to another location in Town. Lets see what the future holds....but reaching out to Mr Ginsburg by the Patch should help put everyone's fears at bay..........for now.

I'm told Mr Ginsburg put a clause in the P&S that the house cannot be touched for 3 years to give the town time to figure out what to do with it once IRA donates.

Janellen27- Not sure what kind of money you think the Ginsburgs have, but not even Donald Trump would just "Donate" a piece of real estate that has well over a million dollars invested into it! As it is, they're losing money on this deal. It's a completely unrealistic and ridicules statement considering the amount of money and time they already contribute to town activities, groups and events (Most of it anonymous!)

"... once IRA donates"? "Donates". . . care to say a little more about that "donation"?

Poor Mr. Ginsberg. All he has it a country club/golf course, personal helicopter, and I'm sure a few other little investments.

Shame on him for getting into that business venture that was bound to fail from the very beginning. Even a blind man could have seen that one coming.

I really don't think you understand Trump at all, nor do you seem to understand donations made by wealthy people.

"completely unrealistic and ridicules(SP!) statement".. . are you listening to yourself?

"...they already contribute to town activites, groups and events (Most of it anonymous)" MOST OF IT ANONYMOUS? Well, thanks to you, not anymore!

Janellen27- Mr. Ginsburg works very hard and has done a tremendous amount for the town of Tewksbury. Your remarks are vicious, ignorant and in very poor taste.

"annie cross also commented on Can The Hardy-Pike House Be Saved?.

"Janellen27- Mr. Ginsburg works very hard and has done a tremendous amount for the town of Tewksbury. Your remarks are vicious, ignorant and in very poor taste."

DEAR ANNIE: "Ignorant"? That's rude! However, I admit that I am "uninformed" as to knowing all the things that Mrs. Ginsberg does for the town. "Vicious and in very poor taste"? Not at all, just the way it is. However, I sense "viciousness" and "poor taste" in your comments to me.

What do you think of some of those other comments from other folks?

I agree that it would be a shame if the Hardy House could not be preserved. In addition to being a beautiful building, it has a place in Tewksbury's history. I don't feel that it is realistic to expect Mr. Ginsburg to donate it to the town. As to my comments to you, I find your sophmoric ploy of misspelling Mr. Ginsburg's name wrong in very poor taste.

ANNIE CROSS: No "sophomore ploy" misspelling Mr. Ginsburg's name incorrectly. A simple oversight. The name can be spelled both ways: Ginsberg, Ginsburg. (I just looked in one phone book and there are approximately 15 of each spelling.)

If you know Mr. Ginsburg's financials, then you can continue to beat this dead horse. All I know is a man who built that very lovely country club--indeed, the most attractive building in town--poured a million dollars into The Pike House (not The Hardy House), and owns a personal helicopter, is of some means.

PAUL: I was once asked to get involved with the Historical Commission because of something I went out of my way to do, and because of the way I think about preserving history. (As I mentioned, I grew up in a town where history was everything.) When I explored some--from time to time--and, discovered how things had been run, I realized I would be beating my head against the wall to try and align some minds properly. Meanwhile, I've just watched--along with the rest--the historic buildings and cemeteries deteriorate, waiting and hoping for change. Maybe the change has come, maybe not. Too late to save that which is gone, and I do hope The Pike House has a continued life. (After being revived as The Pike House, its next reincarnation was Maggie McGee's/McGehee's (SP?), the Irish Restaurant. Then, Bob White's, then the hand-crafts gift store. The best was the first, The Pike House Restaurant. Too bad Tewksbury residents couldn't support that effort; I know I did.)

SHAUN: "Why is it that when someone becomes successful do other people feel the need to knock them down and tell them how to spend their money?"

I don't know the answer to that, Shaun. My personal feeling, good for him! Nice to see someone successful, and the town benefiting some from that success! (Though, I admit, I do miss sitting at the airport restaurant watching the planes practice their take-offs and landings. That was part of Americana, and part of this little town's history, too.)

DAVE: Oh, yes, I forgot the smoke shops--the worst of all offensive enterprises--not one, but two. Unbelieveable.

"no have they have their eye on the unfunded liability fund called their retirement package that they fill fight for if anyone messes with it."

Sorry, Dave... I'm having trouble understanding that sentence, but curious as to what you're trying to say here. Can you say some more about that, please?

If the owners of the property wanted to knock the building down, its their building they can do whatever they want with it...that being said Im sure the current and future owners will come up with a solution with the Towns input on what should happen to it and how to make it happen. We can all wish this and that but at the end of the day, its in the way....so, like a lot of other things that happen in Town, if the building cant be saved then so be it. Maybe someone or some entity should of stepped up with some money to purchase the land and building to keep it original to the Towns-scape.....p.s. I dont have any money to purchase said property so dont even ask...... Happy 4th and be safe!

MICHAEL:

If I had the money, I think I would have bought it after the first renovation as The Pike House Restaurant and saved it then. That was as close to "restored" as it ever got. All the other "renovations" have just taken it further and further away from its original appearance, inside and out. As it stands now, it would be a very big job, with a very big pricetag to strip it back to (probably) white clapboard, and other period features. A shame a such a piece of Tewksbury history sits beside a lot full of Japanese cars. Oh, well . . . .

Someone mentioned to me that the current location of the Hardy-Pike House was not the original location. If so, then I would imagine it would be ok to move it again.

The comments above are interesting. Some people decrying the "faceless corporation" aspect and wanting the town to support our local business. While others complaining that the town has become the "pizza place" capital of the world.

While it is true the town hasn't done a great job preserving historical buildings,it also has a terrible commercial track record.

The Hardy-Pike House has proven to be a bad location for commercial interests. I have seen a ton of businesses come and go. The only thing I can see that building be used for would perhaps be office space or town purposes.

In the end if it is torn down, it is what it is. I am sure there are plenty of buildings in town that have been torn down over the past 250 years or so which tugged at the heart strings of folks in town in 1734, 1834, 1934 and will again in 2034.

The part of town I grew up in used to be an apple orchard, then it was an airstrip. The part of town now occupied by 495 Warehouse used to a popular part of town.

My point is this. If there is a commercially viable reason to keep it,it lives. My prediction is IRA doesn't raze it. It wouldn't be in their best interests. If the town is willing to put up the money to buy it then it lives. If no one cares then it gets torn down like all the others, in 50 yrs no one remembers.

A-TOWNIE:

Please don't tell me you own either/both of those shops.

The med. profession and the govt. have known how harmful tobacco smoking is to people for how many decades? Seven, at least! The govt. has outlawed smoking in all publ. bldgs., restaurants, the street, and don't get caught smoking on a public beach.

I'm very sorry that is your chosen vice, as I grew up in a smoke-filled house and in later years, watched my father trail around the house tethered to the O2 tank, and for the last two yrs. of his life, on a feeding tube, a Foley, a ventilator, a trache. . . until he finally decided to leave. I sat beside him holding his hand watching every pulse in his neck 'til the last. My eldest sister had a lobe of her cancerous lung removed, another sibling has COPD, and I went through hell trying to quit: 8 hypnotists, Smoke Enders, The Beder Method, One Step At a Time, Nicorette, and finally... Mr. Yefim Schubentsov, "The Russian", in Brookline, May 19, 1987, but who's counting. My lung capacity is probably half what it should be. My father died very sorry that he wasted his health on cigarettes and subjected his wife and four children to lung disease. No, I don't think I would be at all interested in a Dominican or Nicaraguan, to be honest with you, and I think it's shameful that Tewksbury would license not one--but two--shops that are for the sole purpose of selling a known carcinogen and killer. Tsk, tsk.

Wishing you a long life.

A-TOWNIE:

Well, I guess "progress" is a subjective term. . . .

I know a couple of pilots who used to fly in and out of the Airport, too, and have very fond memories. It was really a little piece of Americana. The Town had many such pieces: The Drive-In, Funland, The Go-Kart track, what else . . . It is sad to think of the complete turnover of mainly '50's life.

How much of the "Pike" house is original? It's had extensive remodeling over the years. What's left? 25%? 10%?
If it's mostly all new wood is new wood historic?

A-TOWNIE WROTE:

"Janellen,

Wow, such a personal attack on Mr. Ginsberg...You seem like the least knowledgeable, but most jealous person I have ever experienced on this forum. You go so far as to attack someones spelling? Are you kidding me? Is this an English class? Is my punctuation correct? I'm sure it is, as I write for a living. Mr. Ginsburg, if you read this, THANK YOU for all you have done for the town of Tewksbury... As Janellen proves, ya just can't please everyone!!"

A-TOWNIE:

Maybe you should slow down your reading a bit. It was not ME who criticized someone for misspelling anything. It was ANNIE CROSS who lambasted me for misspelling Ginsburg's name. But, watch out, because in the above post, I see you made the mistake of posting it two different ways, too. She should be coming after you any minute!

Secondly, where do you get that I'm "the most jealous person you've ever experienced on this forum"? That's a huge leap for someone who has only read a few posts that have nothing to do with jealousy. Well, maybe it's just a good old-fashioned case of "projection" on your part?

A-TOWNIE WROTE:

"Janellen,

From reading your reply, I see that you speak of cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking is FAR more detrimental to your health, as the average cigarette contains more that 430 chemicals... Cigars, however, contain NONE. I will not say cigars are good for you, but they certainly do not cause the sickness and disease you wrote of. I'm sorry that you had to see your fathers health fail as it did. However, cigar smoking popularity has grow over the last 8 or so years, while cigarette smoking has declined. Personally, I think cigarette smoking is disgusting, and I grew up with two parents as smokers. Cigars are a hobby, not a habit. I could empty my humidor today, and never smoke another one. I would, however, miss the camaraderie and friends at the local cigar shop."

A-TOWNIE:

Thanks for your thoughts wrt my Father's death and sisters' lung disease, but honestly, your information about cigar smoking not being harmful is just not accurate. Sort of like people who chew tobacco get cancerof the mouth, the tongue, the throat, etc.. Maybe it is just a "hobby" for you. For many it is a "habit", but nonethless, a very stinky one and one that the majority of the population are very offended by. Good luck w/your health.

Oh my head, enough. Janellen, I agree, tobacco is an evil that should be eliminated from the face of the earth (and no, I'm not being sarcastic). I will gladly join you in celebrating when and if the smoke shops are packed up and gone. However, this topic is about the Pike House. Your comments about Mark are WAY out of line. Is he supposed to take that kind of money and just flush it? Where's his incentive to continue helping re-build this town in that scenario? I suggest you log off, take a break and let other people comment. PLEASE!

SD:

OK, WHICH comments are "way out of line"? Huh? Which, specifically! To you, and all who seem to think Marc is The Saint Who Saved Tewksbury, I dare you, go back through my comments -- which are mostly responses to OTHER people's comments, and most of those atacking ME -- and itemize for me all the "out of line" things I've said about Marc (and, why does everyone here call him Mister Ginsburg, anyway? Are you all his subjects? His employees?)

I have asked, repeatedly, for those who claim he "has done a lot for this town" to back up the statement with specifics. I admitted I don't know the man. I admitted the Tewksbury Country Club is a lovely piece of real estate. I'm waiting. Someone tell me what the man has done for the town, and while you're at it, tell me what I've said that is so bad, so out of line, so horrible, that you have a headache. Take two Aspirins and soak it! Why don't you go after the guy who likes the two smoke shops here in town. It was his conversation. Why don't you go after the guy who brought up the two smoke shops? SD, I've been logged off plenty! You used the phrase, "Why don't I LET other people comment". I'm not preventing ANYONE, including your SELF, from commenting. Tell you what: You don't like the fact that I've had had a conversation here, and you don't like that I've politely responded to all the typical Tewksbury rudeness that has been directed my way, YOU log off! You don't have to read this thread at all, OK?

Move it to 17 Lee street and use it as the Bed & Breakfast that will never be completed, its only been 8 years and look at the progress.

I think it should move to where the old police station is, and used as town committee offices or something to that extent. It belongs in (or near) town center.

When you own the Mona Lisa you don't throw it out because you don't have a place to hang it. Stop asking Mr. Ginsburg to bail Tewksbury out every time we have a problem or we will lose him as well. When you have something that you are trying to make an important decision on take a deep breath. Waiting will cost us nothing when compared to losing.These few words just drove the value of the property up by $50,000.00. Once again Richard Montori is correct make it the Town Hall until we get our act together. The money that we will get for the property today will be spent by tomorrow. In two years the property will increase to a reasonable price and we will have time to make a deal that will benefit the residents of Tewksbury. Today we need the property to attract future investors. It's called town pride. Don't leave pride out of the equation. Besides I love that fantastic building and I'm willing to tear my house down if they will deliver the Pike House to 232 Pringle Street.

SD From T-Bury, A T-Townie, Jimmy M, Bill, Joe Bill, Shaun, annie cross, Paul, Steve Crane, Bill vill =

The nastiest people I've ever come across in one place!

A T-Townie: Your two posts of 9:52 pm Monday have nothing to do with me at all; they're all totally "projection" on your part. You've made so many accusations that have absolutely nothing to do with my own "intentions". My intentions were to share my thoughts on the Hart-Pike House. Clearly, the intentions of all of the above--and especially you--are to hide behind a poster name while you use someone else for an emotional punching bag. In other words, you're professional bullies and you've all shown your true colors. Would any of you come out from behind your poster names and speak the same way to someone in person? Yes, I bet you would, because that's just the kind of stuff you're made of, unfortunately. You're dirty fighters from Tewksbury with a gang mentality, and I've lived in enough of the surrounding communities in Greater Boston to know the difference between dirty fighters looking for a good time and normal participants in an everyday conversation about something of interest to all.

Here's what I think: I think you should all leave town yourselves so that others with more intelligence and class can save the town from itself. There is no hope of ever having a respectful conversation with socially inept miserable misfits. Off to The Caswell with you! Smoke that!

Oh, and as far as what to do with the house. . . jumping off from something another poster said about putting it beside The Caswell, someone else's suggestion to open it for an "Ol' Folks Home", and the way the rest of this thread has made me feel, I say, combine a couple of those items: Open it for a "Retirement Home for Caswell Hookers and Mean People From Tewksbury", namely, all of the above named in my last post .

WOW..people...please continue bashing each other..I find it amusing....sigh
"J.W. Buckley" allow me to put forward an idea... Can you guys find land for it? Ask
the owners to donate it for a tax break...ask the tv show This Old House" to "restore" it, not renovated it.......everyone would win....just my 2 cents....now back to the fighting lol

I would like to see a writers workshop center in there - without changing anything on the outside and probably very little on the inside.

Bob

Any news about the house?

Two comments have been removed at he request of the person who made them.