Contractor Will Discuss Restoring Historic Hale House
MONTEREY, Mass. — The Bidwell House Museum presents a talk about the restoration of one of the oldest homes in South County, the 1740s Deacon Hale House, on Saturday, June 12, at 10 a.m.Michael White, owner of Michael White Contractors of Mill River, will talk about his yearlong project of restoring the old home and constructing an addition respectful of the historic structure.
The Hale House on the corner of Tyringham and Art School roads is a large stone central chimney, timber frame, single-story Cape, "regulation" style structure built circa 1747.
According to Eloise Myers in "Tyringham: A Hinterland Settlement" (Hinterland Press, 1989), Hale was a "descendant of one of the first settlers of America, [and] was one of the first men to settle in Housatonic Township No. 1. In the French War he assisted in building Fort Massachusetts in Adams." Myers goes on to explain that he moved his family away for a time after an Indian alarm, and that his house included "a dark room where the women folk could gather during thunder storms or Indian attack." William Hale was married to Hannah Brewer, daughter of Captain John Brewer. Sons of theirs went on to farm in Tyringham valley. The house remained in the Hale family until 1904.
White, who has specialized in the restoration of early American homes, has lived and worked in the Berkshires since the 1970s. His team includes craftsmen who specialize in masonry and carpentry. They have also restored the foundation and rebuilt the interiors of the chimneys. White is highly knowledgeable about 1700s New England building techniques and materials. This talk is of interest to aficionados of Colonial-era houses and those who are interested in methods of old-home restoration.
The museum at 100 Art School Road is open daily, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 11 to 4, with tours on the hour. The 192 acres of woods, fields, historic stone walls, trails and picnic sites are open year-round free of charge. The program of events can be found at www.bidwellhousemuseum.org, or call 413-528-6888.
