by Jessica Bachman, Berkshire Eagle Staff - July 10, 2007

GREAT BARRINGTON — In a historic victory of culture over capitalism, the Great Barrington Historical Society has saved a pre-Revolutionary farmhouse from being swept away by the powerful commercial-development juggernaut.

Yesterday morning, in their first-ever press conference, board members proudly announced the society's purchase of the Truman Wheeler Farm, a 1.5-acre property with six barns and a farmhouse, dating back to 1766.

After renovations, the farmhouse will be primarily used as a museum and research facility, where the society's rich collections will finally be taken out of storage and put on display.

"It has always been part of our mission to seek a permanent home," said society president Brian Burke. "With a growing awareness of town and regional heritage, we are performing a dual function: finding a home and preserving an important part of our heritage."

Located at 817 South Main St., near several large commercial complexes and the Great Barrington Fairgrounds, the society's acquisition of such prime commercial property is almost unbelievable.

"We were within two or three days of losing the house," said society vice president Gary Leveille. "But as the southern gateway into town, we thought it was important to step up to the plate and save it."

The $609,000 purchase was made possible by a $300,000 gift made to the society by the Berkshire Foundation Inc., a local private charity founded by Robert K. Wheeler in 1952. When the farm went up for sale last June, Patrice Mullin, Wheeler's granddaughter and foundation president, opened discussions between the historical society and the farm's last private owner, Linda Wheeler Mullany — a relative of Mullin's.

"I live on South Main Street. Every day I drove by and looked at it and said, 'If that's gone, I don't know if I could live in town anymore,' " said Mullin.

When asked how the historical society was able to win out over tempting offers from area developers, Mullin responded, "We appealed to the sympathies of the family."

According to Leveille, "Linda's desire to preserve the house was real and intense, but there are always other considerations."

Mullany's mother, Edith R. Wheeler, lived on the farm until her death in 2004.

Society members always knew of the colonial farmhouse, but their interest hadn't been piqued until last June, when they happened upon a tag sale at the property.

"Our mouths dropped open," said Jim Parish, historical society founder and board member. "It's still here, it's intact ... It's really nice because it hasn't really been messed with; it's just covered over."

Underneath the vinyl siding, asphalt siding and cedar shingles lie the farmhouse's original weathered boards, hand-split from the trees on what used to be a 150-acre working farm.

Colonial treasures also abound inside the house. Between the hard yellow-pine floors, slim parson's cupboards, filled-in fireplaces and wooden paneling in the foyer, much of what you see pre-dates the American Revolution. The downstairs doors, including those in the house's 1771 addition and the double "Indian doors" at the front entry, still swing on their original hand-forged hinges. Despite having lost its roof in a 1995 tornado, the turn-of-the-century locust-wood silo remains solid, with barely any signs of rotting.

The farm's excellent condition, according to Bernard Drew, historian and historical society board member, can be attributed to the fact that it spent almost 250 years in the same family's hands.

"The property tells its own story," Drew said, "but the fact that it was in the same family makes it a delight."

Later this week, historical society board member Jim Parish will apply to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for the Truman Wheeler Farm to be recognized on the National Register for Historic Places, an honorary federal designation.

The historical society will begin seeking support from the community this summer to help raise restoration funds, estimated at $300,000. With plans to re-roof the house in August and spend the winter working on the inside, the board estimates that the farmhouse's initial restoration will take between one and two years.

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$300,000 Gift Launches Wheeler Farm Purchase 

Berkshire Foundation Inc. has dissolved itself – bequeathing its investments acquired over 55 years, to the Great Barrington Historical Society. The small private charity was founded by Robert K. Wheeler (1892-1980), whose father, John, was born at the Truman Wheeler House.

In a transfer session held at Berkshire Bank in late May, foundation president and treasurer Patrice Mullin turned over approximately $300,000; the exchange involved six stocks and a certificate of deposit. The foundation, begun in 1952, dispensed grants annually among two-dozen non-profits, as well as scholarships for two district high schools. The charity was once a civic-gift-giving arm of Wheeler & Taylor, the insurance-real estate firm in Great Barrington In recent years, it was given over to Wheeler family members to manage on a volunteer basis.  

“May it spark similar acts in others,” said Ms. Mullin. “We hope others will realize the importance of preserving [the Captain Truman Wheeler] property, at the gateway to our town; to once and for all get Society objects displayed and shared; and to educate and operate a base for all things historical.” Ms. Mullin further remarked that the “house, its barns, are real gems – and could be a destination for families, to picnic and canoe. It will be a buffer, a welcome mat from the south entrance [of town].  The Society has fantastic people on its board – the most active, respected historians in the region –  plus exquisite objects that no one can see. The Society’s homeless state has been of great concern to its membership. 

“Three members of my family have served as president of the Historical Society, so we have had a long interest in it. If we did not step in to set this ball rolling, vital Berkshire history would be lost forever, and South Main Street further encroached on by development."