By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer
Southborough- Kate Matison is an architectural historian and vice chair of the Southborough Historical Commission. She has master's degrees from Boston University in American art and architecture and historic preservation.
One important project that Matison has been involved with is the Burnett/Garfield House. This mid-19th century stone mansion at 84 Main St. encompasses several acres of property. It is a prominent building in the center of town and holds much significance.
“Joseph Burnett built the home in the mid-19th century for his family. Burnett Extracts sold flavors all over the world. They were quite wealthy. He also started a dairy farm and was one of the largest employers in town. He founded the Episcopal Church and private schools, the Fay School as well as St. Mark's,” Matison said.
The controversy regarding this property is the fact that the owner of the home had, not too long ago, been under negotiations with a developer to build new homes on the property and demolish the main house. That fell through and the owner has since decided to keep and preserve this significant home. The commission could not be happier.
Currently there are three other members of the Historical Commission. Chair Joe Hubley is also the captain of the Southborough Fire Department. The other two members are Maria Romero Vagnina and Amanda Martinot. There will be two additional members added in the near future.
“Years ago, the Southborough Historical Commission ordered a survey of all of the historical houses and buildings in the town. It was completed around 2000,” Matison said. “The former South Union School on Highland Street is listed with the National Registry. We rehabbed the building through the Community Preservation Act (CPA) and in 2009 it was completed. Many people who still reside in this town actually went to school there. That's really significant.”
One of the other initiatives that the Southborough Historical Commission is currently working on is a “plaque program,” to present plaques to owners of historical properties.
Because Matison is an architectural historian and has been on the committee for a long time, she feels like she understands the issues better than most. She has been involved in the National Register nominations and was the “point person” on the commission for the South Union School.
Another major project that she is currently working on is creating a National Register Historic District (NRHD). This helps to foster pride in the houses and encourages owners to preserve them without any restrictions.
“We are trying to make this ongoing discussion viable,” she said. “Because we have not approached many residents, we will be asking the property owners for their approval and if 51 percent disapproves then we can's do it.”
Matison's passion for the Southborough community is evident. She has a fondness for the vast number of historical properties within the town and is constantly concerned about the number of barns and farms that are lost to the area and replaced by new homes.
“What I enjoy most about my role on this commission is that I get to engage with people in the Southborough community,” Matison noted. “I will keep on being an advocate for preservation and continue to seek out all I can do to help and educate others in the community. The committee works really well together to achieve this common goal. I am always interested in expanding what is preserved.”
Matison is also a board member of the Vernacular Architecture Forum, New England Chapter. (VAF-NE) She also administers the VAF Facebook page. Self-employed, she works as an architectural historian and photographer on a project basis.