An investment in ‘the promise of democracy’: Deerfield celebrates 1888 Building renovations

SOUTH DEERFIELD — A piece of town history is beginning a new chapter.

Local, state and federal officials have broken ground on the 1888 Building, which is set to become municipal offices.

The building, which was constructed in 1888 at 67 North Main St. in South Deerfield, was initially the town’s grammar school, and has since served a variety of functions, including as the former home of the Senior Center and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. Funded by a federal earmark and Community Preservation Act funding, a $5.93 million renovation project is underway to turn the building into municipal offices.

“This is an amazing moment for me personally. For four or five years with the [Community Preservation Committee], we’ve been working to try to figure out what to do with this building,” Selectboard member Tim Hilchey said during Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony. “We went through several iterations and several plans and had to go back to the drawing board several times, but we’re gathered here today to celebrate a new beginning for a 137-year-old building.”

Hilchey said planning began four years ago, when community members met with the Selectboard, and state and federal legislators to discuss their idea for a “renewed municipal campus in the heart of South Deerfield.”

“The idea was simple,” he said. “By revitalizing the town’s municipal buildings and making the area around them more walkable, we’d bring new energy and a much-needed facelift to the heart of our community.”

Once complete, the historic building will be rehabilitated, and there will be an addition with modern touches like solar panels and a glass walkway that combines the two structures.

While the town celebrated the renovation on Friday, Town Administrator Christopher Dunne said the property has been an active construction site for six weeks. General contractor W.J. Mountford crews have already begun work on the addition.

“The ground is pretty thoroughly broken at this point, but we thought we’d do this anyway,” Dunne joked.

Joining Deerfield community members in their celebration was Jesse Lederman, a regional director for U.S. Sen. Ed Markey. Lederman said Markey was unable to attend the ceremony, but passed along a message of congratulations.

“A Massachusetts town hall is an important representation of our democracy; a place where people come together to debate, to act, and to advance our communities and our commonwealth,” Lederman read. “The restoration of this historic building for the public common good is an important symbol, reminding us of where we have come from and what is possible when we work together at all levels of government.

“This is not only an investment in a building; it’s an investment in the people of Deerfield and in the promise of democracy,” Lederman continued.

State Rep. Natalie Blais said the 1888 Building project, combined with recent improvements to Tilton Library and a parking lot in town, showcased the determination of Deerfield and the collaborative effort to get here.

“These projects are the result of a community that believes in itself,” Blais said. “We came together. You had a vision, and as a result of that vision and all working together, we are here today to celebrate this monumental effort.”

The building will house offices for the town administrator, treasurer, tax collector and town clerk, plus other town departments. Blais said she is happy to support the project and grateful to Deerfield for its support of the town staff who will be working there.

“It’s an extraordinary project,” Blais said. “I just want to say how important it is to support the public servants who work every single day in support of our communities, and we really could not ask for a better location and for a better facility to support what you do every single day.”