Pittsfield, MA 01201
$399,900
7 Bed, 4 Bath | 7,744 Sq Ft on 0.63 Acres (27,442 Sq Ft Lot) |
MLS #190844
Property Information
Save Listing
Property Features
*
Single Family Property
* Status: Active
* Area: Berkshire - Central
* Year Built: 1860
* 7 total bedroom(s)
* 4 total bath(s)
* 2 total full bath(s)
* 2 total half bath(s)
* 15 total rooms
* Approximately 7744 sq. ft.
* Style: Historic
* Basement
* Dining room is on Level 1
* Kitchen is on Level 1
* Den is on Level 1
* Office is on Level 1
* Basement is Unfinished, Concrete Floor
* 4 or more fireplaces
* Fireplace features: Wood Fireplace
* Carport
* Heating features: Steam, ,
* Exterior construction: Masonry, Wood Frame, Brick
* Energy Info: Oil Fuel
* Roofing: Slate
* Approximately 0.63 acre(s)
* Lot size is between 1/2 and 1 acre
* Zoning: Multi Zone, Residential
* Utilities present: Public Water, Public Sewer, Natural Gas Heated Water
* Elementary School: Egremont
* Middle School: Theodore Herberg
* High School: Pittsfield
Interior Features
Cathedral Ceilings, Fireplace(s), High Speed Internet Wiring, Cable Available, Bay Bow Window, Sun Room, Wood Flooring, Bedroom 1 is on Level 2, Bedroom 2 is on Level 2, Bedroom 3 is on Level 2, Bedroom 4 is on Level 2, Half Bath is on Level 1, Full Bath is on Level 2
Exterior Features
Porch
Listing Information
Refreshed at 3:47 AM PT (less than 5 minutes ago)
Added on Jun 22, 2010 (8 days ago)
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Women's Club will sell historic Colt House
17.DEC.09
Declining membership and surging repair & heating costs are prompting the Women’s Club of the Berkshires to place their historic home on the market.
The club’s board of directors has decided to sell the Thomas Colt House, which the organization has occupied since 1937.
“It’s very big decision and a hard one,” said Belle O’Brien, the organization’s president-elect.
Constructed in 1865, the building at 42 Wendell Avenue needs extensive roof and portico repairs. The third-floor has been largely unusable for years due to water damage.
“If we didn’t love the building, we wouldn’t have made this difficult decision,” said O’Brien. “As caretakers, we want the integrity of the building maintained.”
Simon England gave the building to the organization in 1937 so members would have a place to meet and conduct their mission.
The club has explored various means to achieve repairs — and received an $8,500 state historical grant a few years ago — but the needs outpace resources.
To cover soaring operational costs — the old building is expensive to heat during the winter — the club has attracted a range of small tenants, but paying bills has been challenging.
“We’ve had the building rented with wonderful tenants, but we just don’t have the personnel to keep things going,” said O’Brien.
The club once had 600 members but is down to about 50 right now.
“The membership has gone down,” said the president-elect. “There are too many places for the younger women to go, with a lot of women’s organizations... The economy has also been a big factor.”
While monthly dinners and other events still attract “our loyal core,” the membership has gotten older. “They just don’t have the energy to put into what we need,” said O’Brien.
The club has not made a decision to dissolve, leaving decisions on the future for down the road. Activities will continue at the Colt House in coming months.
“While the club and the Thomas Colt House are synonymous, I hope we will continue and instead of having to spend on ourselves [and the building], I hope we can help other organizations,” said O’Brien.
O’Brien said that club is not burdened by debt, but does face problems paying bills and funding the improvements needed to preserve the historic structure.
The club will host an event January 8 for invited real estate agents to show off the building and to try to see who should be hired to market the site. The club will also likely hire an auctioneer – or have sales — to dispose of the contents of the building.
A letter sent this week to club members states: “The time has come to close the doors of the Thomas Colt House, sell the antiques that are remaining and put the building on the market.”
The letter adds: “We must try to reduce all costs relating to maintaining the building during this period. We definitely will be closing the doors by the summer of 2010 unless, by some miracle, funds are provided through a benefactor to help us keep it open.” - Copyright 2010 The Pittsfield Gazette, Inc.
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