Peter H. Peirce Homestead
Our Future is Bright!
The Friends of the Middleborough Public Library is honored that Attorney William Decas gifted the Peter H. Peirce Homestead located at 132 North Main Street Middleborough to our organization. Attorney Decas approached the Friends to discuss his desire to leave the Peirce Homestead to our non-profit. We discussed his desire to strengthen the public library and how the mission of the Friends focuses on his commitment to both the library and community. Attorney Decas’ gift to us is a gift to all residents of Middleborough and the surrounding communities.
The Board of Directors for the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library is grateful for Attorney Decas’ generosity and is committed to having the Peter H. Peirce Homestead contribute to the future growth of services and programs offered by the library while maintaining it as a valuable community asset located in Historic Downtown Middleborough.
Transition of the Peter H. Peirce Homestead
In preparation for the transfer, the Board has identified both immediate and long-term plans for the property. They include:
· Creation of the George and William Decas Outdoor Performance Pavilion,
· Renovation of commercial and residential space in the building, and
· Conversion of the first floor to support community based cultural activities.
In the months to come, the Friends will share plans associated with each of the items identified above. We look forward to the support of the community as we work to make the Homestead a valuable cultural asset for the residents of Middleborough and surrounding communities.
Behind the Doors
When it was announced that the Homestead had been bequeathed to the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library, residents questioned the current use of the building and how that impacts its future use.
The property was purchased in mid-1990 by Attorney George Decas and is best known as the Law Office of Decas, Murray, and Decas. The firm currently occupies a small portion of the first floor. The second floor houses a two-person office and a residential unit. Additionally, there is vacant office space on that floor. The third floor contains a one-bedroom residential unit and a studio apartment which has been used for storage for many years.
The Friends are currently working on plans to revitalize the second and third floors with the expectation that these floors will continue to serve as residential and commercial income sources that will offset the expenses needed to maintain this historic site.