The Otis Preservation Trust was created to act as the fund-raising agent (“friends of” organization) on behalf of our town’s municipal Historic Commission. We are in the process of trying to save several architecturally-significant, municipally-owned properties in Otis, MA.
Join the dedicated group of friends and neighbors who are working to:
* Discover additional avenues of financial support and grants
* Join us in fund raising activities
* Donate furnishings, letters and artifacts that reveal Otis history
* Work on construction efforts
* Curate Notice Otis Series
* Lend your skills.
Become a Steeple Society Supporter ($1000 - $4,999) - (become a life member and join our loyal
group of major donors who are the heart of our organization. You’ll be honored on our wall of
supporters.
We offer naming opportunities for those who wish to have their generosity remembered for generations to come..
View our current donor listSt. Paul’s Episcopal Church, built 1827- designed with classic New England spire and soaring windows featuring 1,100 individual panes of hand-made glass. This building is the sister church to the famous Revolutionary War “Old North Church” in Boston, MA. The town voted twice to accept the gift of this building, which deed was transferred to the town on October 29, 2019.
Learn MoreThe One Room Schoolhouse was in operation until
1949 and is to be restored to that time period as one of the few remaining examples of mid
20th century education.
The East Otis One Room Schoolhouse has been designated an Historical Site by the
Massachusetts Historical Commision.
The Otis Historical Commission is working with the Massachusetts Historical Commission
applying for a Preservation Projects Fund grant for work on the schoolhouse. The level of
work the grant covers can range from relatively
uncomplicated maintenance, followed by restoration which involves more intervention with
repair and replacement of deteriorated historic materials of the building. The level of
rehabilitation would involve altering the historic
building for a new contemporary use that can include handicapped access. Finally, though
rare, reconstruction as a level of work may be funded for significant lost buildings or
portions of a building. As one would expect, the
cost of the various levels of work increases with their scope. Although the current
condition of the East Otis School requires extensive recontruction, it remains as an example
of one of the last schoolhouses that was still
in use until 1949. The level of work will require complete restoration. It was constructed
about 1850 and used until its closure in 1949.
Being designated as a National Historic District opens the door to a wide range of grant opportunities made available by the State to preserve local history. (Note, there are no building restrictions for a Historic District; it is an honorary designation.)
Knox, who was born in Boston in 1750 and was the seventh of ten children. Knox supported the American cause, and as early as 1772, he became a member of the Boston Grenadier Corps. He became a minuteman in June 1775 at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He served under General Ward, who was in charge of the colonials around Boston. In 1775, Washington arrived in Boston, taking command of the young American army. There he met and developed a friendship with Knox, a friendship that would last a lifetime.
Learn MoreHarmony Hall built 1849 was originally a school & a dance hall, & then the Town Hall for almost 100 years.
Otis Preservation Trust
48 North Main Road
PO BOX 355
Otis, MA 01253
If you have a question, or would like to contact us please feel free to use the form below.