Lowell Mason House Finally Arrives to Green Street Location

An 11-hour day of moving culminated months of hard work and preparation as the Lowell Mason House successfully travelled from 25 Adams St. to 59 Green St. where it will be restored by the Lowell Mason Foundation's fundraiser efforts and turned into a functioning music hall for the town. 

"There’s a sense of satisfaction that we’ve reached this milestone,” said Tom Scotti, Lowell Mason Foundation Secretary Directors.“Clearly, we have a lot of work to do going forward but thanks to Granite State Construction and the Monroe family and the town of Medfield and the sponsors. I’m very pleased to have brought the house to its new home on Green Street."

Tom Scotti and his wife, Karen, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Lowell Mason Foundation, have spent countless time and energy preparing for this historic day and all that hard work finally paid off just before 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 as the Lowell Mason House sat in front of its Green Street foundation.

"It’s very exciting, it’s a great accomplishment so far and we’ve got a lot to do," said Tom Scotti. "We’re looking forward to restoring the house and continuing Lowell Mason’s legacy in music education through the foundation that we formed."

Karen Scotti made several phone calls and rejoiced next to her daughter after the house finally stood still, off the road and at its new location on Green Street, relieved the moment had not only arrived but the milestone had been reached.

"As soon as that house came off the lot of 25 Adams St. I said 'thank God' and clapped," Karen Scotti said. "Spent a long time raising money and working to get it off the lot and it finally happened."

Workers and organizers arrived at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning at 25 Adams St. to begin the process of mobilizing the house. The Scottis arrived at 7:30 a.m. and spectators began to line the sidewalks shortly after. Medfield Police, including Chief of Police Robert Meaney Jr. were on hand to assist in traffic and overseeing the process. Medfield Fire Chief William Kingsbury was also on scene to assist the move. 

NSTAR, Comcast and Verizon worked to disable cables on the travel route that included Adams, Dale, North and Green Streets, causing power outages to homes and businesses in the area. 

Medfield Girl Scouts and Lowell Mason enthusiasts made Lowell Mason flags out of sticks and paper with images of Lowell Mason for spectators to hold. The house experienced several delays during its travel due to wires obstructing its path. The longest delay was on the corner of North Street by Bullard's Marketplace as Verizon had to disable and move wires so the house could turn the corner onto Green Street. 

Many spectators toughed out the raw and rainy conditions to witness history.

"I think the town of Medfield has a lot of people who view the [house’s] importance and wanted to be a part of that history so I think that’s one of the reasons why people have been out here since 7:30 in the morning until 7 o’clock at night," Tom Scotti said. "They toughed out a very long day. Luckily the rain held out until the end for the most part. This is important for the town history and people wanted to see some new history being made with the move of the house and its eventual destination."

As a result of the move taking much longer than originally planned, it was not placed on its foundation at Green Street. That will be down Wednesday morning if the weather holds out. 

"They'll be back tomorrow to place [the house] on its foundation," said Cheryl O'Malley, vice president of the Lowell Mason Foundation. "If it pours they won't be here [Wednesday]. They are going to arrive at 7 a.m. to move it."