image description
The historic Fitch-Hoose House.

Dalton Weighs Fitch-Hoose House Repainting Options

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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An image of what the home used to look like from the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System database.
DALTON, Mass. — The Historical Commission is reviewing financing options so that it can repaint the Fitch-Hoose House museum. 
 
Commission co-Chair Louisa M. Horth had said in August that the nearly 200-year-old house is in need of repainting.
 
The paint is starting to peel and weather, and would need to be repainted this year or next year, she said. The house was painted six or seven years ago during a restoration. 
 
According to Town Manager Tom Hutcheson, the commission will need to provide the Select Board with two quotes for how much the project will cost and was recommended to look into applying for a grant, Horth said during commissioners' meeting on Wednesday. 
 
Until they have a better idea of what the project will cost it is unclear what funding route they will take, whether it's through a grant, the Historical Commission budget, or through an article at town meeting. 
 
In 2014, the Historical Commission got a grant from the "Promoting Community Development and Tourism in Central and Western Massachusetts" program in the amount of $180,000 grant to restore the 1840s-era house. 
 
The back addition with its kitchen and bedroom had been taken off several years ago because of its condition but was added back on during the restoration. 
 
Over the years, the home has gone through a variety of changes, from the now gone vinyl siding to the yellow color and the commission has worked to make the exterior as historically accurate as possible. 
 
In 2019, the Fitch-Hoose House's restoration received the Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award.
 
In other news: 
 
The fireproof cabinet is coming in next Wednesday. 
 
• The commission announced that it has received requests from residents for its reissuing of the book "Down Memory Lane." More information here
 

Tags: historic buildings,   historical commission,   

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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