The Brooks Academy Museum grounds are slated for a significant expansion after local benefactor Paul Doane presented plans for a new outdoor performance and lecture space. Proposed as the Bethiah Payne Theater, the project would establish a 25-by-25-foot gathering area on the north side of the Crowell Barn, utilizing the natural slope of the land for stepped wooden seating and a raised stone speaker platform. Doane, who has personally funded multiple phases of recent site improvements including new irrigation and fencing, offered to once again cover the construction costs to ensure the project moves forward. I'm here to maintain good communications regarding the Crowell Barn, Doane told the Commission, noting that the theater could host summer lectures, decoy carving demonstrations, and town entertainment.

While the Commission expressed strong support for the aesthetic and functional improvements Doane has brought to the property, some members raised questions regarding the long-term management of the site. Duncan voiced concerns about the financial logistics and potential noise impacts on the museum’s neighbors. I have concerns about how this gets paid for and the impact on neighbors, Duncan said, though he ultimately lauded the project for its potential to reach a wider demographic. It appeals to a broader age range. We should be behind this effort. Motion Made by Linda to authorize the progression of the theater project plans and suggestions. Motion Passed 5-0.

The forward momentum at the barn stands in contrast to architectural hurdles identified within the main Brooks Academy building. Chair Bob Nickerson alerted the board to a major design conflict regarding the installation of a new LULA (Limited Use/Limited Application) lift. According to Nickerson, current architectural plans for the elevator would completely seal off the existing entrance to the museum’s secure collections room. Unbeknownst to me, the new LULA lift is so large that the door into the exhibit room is going to be totally closed off, Nickerson warned, noting that the oversight was only caught during a recent site visit. Nickerson proposed creating a new doorway through an adjacent exhibit room, though the change may require altering historic elements.

The potential loss of historic fabric within the building sparked caution among the commissioners. Linda noted that the proposed modifications could impact the museum's original slate blackboards. You really don't want to mess with those slate boards if you can avoid it, she cautioned, describing them as an important artifact of the building’s prior use. The Commission plans to request a formal meeting with project manager Sean Libby and the architects to resolve the circulation issues before construction proceeds further.

These infrastructure challenges arrive as Harwich grapples with a massive $10 billion town-wide valuation spike and a highly disciplined approach to capital spending. While the town administration has been aggressive in tackling a 25-Year Infrastructure Wall, Nickerson reported that the budget for the Brooks Academy project is currently exhausted. This leaves the Commission searching for alternative funding for critical environmental controls in the basement storage areas. Nickerson emphasized that standard heating and cooling are not sufficient to protect high-value items like the Crowell decoys and historic paintings. That is not sufficient for the paintings and decoys, Nickerson said. We need to look for grants for environmental controls and fireproofing.

To address these preservation needs, Duncan suggested leveraging regional expertise, including an archivist from the Peabody Essex Museum who offered to tour the site and provide a list of best practices. In the interim, the Commission is taking direct action to protect the town's most valuable historic assets from the dust and disruption of ongoing construction. Linda informed the board that the museum’s prized Crowell bird carvings would be moved to a secure, climate-controlled off-site location. I've volunteered to store the Crowell birds at my house in a spare room during construction so they are out of the way of contractors, she said.

The meeting also marked a transition for the Commission's leadership as Lynn announced her resignation from the board. Lynn, who moved the procedural approval of the August 6 minutes which passed 5-0, agreed to remain on the board until a suitable replacement is appointed. Nickerson stated he intends to speak before the Select Board to recruit a new member with a specific interest in historic preservation. I'm tired of people who just want their name on a board but aren't interested in the work, Nickerson said, emphasizing the need for active oversight as the museum navigates its current renovations.