Old farmhouses and their place in the architectural history of the Island were a topic for discussion when a hearing opened on a plan to demolish a crumbling house in West Tisbury.
A historic home demolition project in Oak Bluffs remains undecided after the Martha’s Vineyard Commission agreed to reopen the written record on the plan.
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission cleared the way late last week for the demolition of a historic house overlooking East Chop Drive, unanimously approving the plan to raze 19 Mill Square Road.
Home demolitions — in particular historic home demolitions — have flooded local review authorities in recent months, testing historic commissions, architects and homeowners.
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission approved a project to tear down a historic summer cottage in East Chop, weighing the benefits of responsible rebuilding against the loss of history.
Plans to tear down a historic East Chop home forced neighbors and historic planners to weigh concerns about increasing home demolitions.
