How it Came to Be

How the Wilson house
became our
community center

By 1796 the residents of early Monterey decided to move the Town Center, originally in the area of the Adonijah Bidwell House, to a more southerly position at the junction of Beartown and Carrington-Batelle Roads. There was an active subscription to build the new church, and by 1827 membership had grown to 164 persons.

In 1825 one Barnabas Bidwell bought property at the Second Center, and three years later became an active member of the congregation.

As the settlement prospered and grew, it became apparent that a third move was warranted, to a location further south with better roads and the advantage of water courses. A subscription was taken up in 1842, at which time Barnabas Bidwell pledged $25 for two shares. “The South Tyringham Meeting House Society” was established in 1846, and by 1849 the church was in use, at the location and in the building we know today.

Barnabas had also looked southward; he had purchased two parcels in 1847 and an additional 13 acres in 1873. When he sold his property in 1880, it was described as “being about 100 rods southeast of the Meeting House.” It is what we now know as the Wilson/McLaughlin property on New Marlborough Road. The map of 1858 lists the property as “B. Bidwell, Rev. W. H. Phelps.” Rev. Winthrop H. Phelps was the second minister of the South Church, 1854-61. Stylistic characteristics and other references suggest that about 1850 the house was moved to its present location from the Second Center. Our later map of 1876 specifies the owner as “B. Bidwell.”

This property echoes in real historical time the migration and development of Monterey. It also embodies the spirit of those who lived here before us. It seems most fitting that its use continue as a vital resource in our community.
– Cynthia J. Weber

When Edith Wilson passed away in 1995, she bequeathed her house and land (28.6 acres) to the Town of Monterey with the stipulation that her old farmhouse be used for a municipal purpose. The land could not be sold once the townspeople accepted her gift, which they did at Town Meeting in May 1996. A committee was appointed, several plans were researched and abandoned, and the property was neglected for all intents and purposes until the committee of 2004 decided on the current plan of renovation to create a community center.

Years passed with progress slowly forward, removing hazardous materials, lead-painted woodwork, rotting floor joists, and so on. In the end FWMH raised over $300,000 to complete the renovation using professional tradesmen and craftsmen where necessary, and volunteer labor for much of the work. Monterey voters cooperated by awarding $95,000 in three grants, and we applied for and were awarded two grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council totaling $65,000. The remainder of the funding came from private donations and event income.

The Certificate of Occupancy was granted on April 12, 2017, about 12 1/2 years after the WMH committee decided to create the community center.

The bequest of our
property donor,
Edith Wilson

Edith Lavinia Wilson (1913-1995)

Edith Wilson was a long-term resident of Monterey whose enduring contributions to the town enrich us all.

Edith was born in Cairo, Illinois, and moved to Monterey in 1942 with her friend and fellow-graduate of the Chicago Art Institute, Marjorie McLaughlin (d. 1991). She was a versatile artist, working as a painter, sculptor and architect. Many of her oil paintings are in the possession of the Town, with some hanging currently in the Town Hall, and her design for the Town Seal still represents Monterey on many a document, T-shirt and coffee mug.

Ms. Wilson was active in town affairs for many years, with service on the School Board, Planning Board, Board of Appeals and Historical Commission. In fact, she was a pivotal figure in the establishment of the first Zoning By-Law in town and the initial Planning Board. Later she worked on the effort to pass State legislation allowing election of Planning Board officials; Monterey was the first township in the Commonwealth to elect a Planning Board.

In addition to her bequest of house and land to the Town, Edith Wilson also established a scholarship fund which assists Monterey youth with their college expenses; the McLaughlin-Wilson Scholarship Fund is managed by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and is a critical aid in the college education of numerous Monterey children.

The timeline
of the center’s
development

Summer 1995:Edith L. Wilson passes away
May 1996: Town of Monterey votes to accept her bequest of house and 28.6 acres of land
1996 – 2004 Wilson McLaughlin House committee researches various options; addition is removed from house; personnel on committee change with the years Summer 2004: Current WMH committee formulates Community Center plan, non-profit corporation December 2004: Friends of Wilson McLaughlin House, Inc. (FWMH) incorporation papers filed
January 2005: FWMH corporation recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
April 2005:FWMH granted tax-exempt status by the IRS ( 501(c)(3) non-profit status )
May 2005: Town of Monterey votes to lease the house to FWMH for the purpose of creating the center
December 2005: Monterey Select Board and FWMH sign 5-year lease with option to renew
January 2006: FWMH circulates Request for Proposal from architects for Community Center design
March 2006: FWMH hires Clark & Green Architects, Great Barrington, MA
Spring 2006: FWMH raises “seed money” from citizens and BTCF Grant
August 2006: FWMH holds Tag Sale and George Packer Lecture fundraisers; Monterey Piecemakers initiate creation of a quilt to be auctioned as fundraiser August 2006: FWMH presents renovation plan for house with addition
October 2006: Monterey Piecemakers quilt is auctioned
December 2006: FWMH requests Select Board petition Probate Court for relief from provision of will January 2007: Select Board initiates petition of Probate Court
May 2008: Probate Court hearing and decision: Town may build a different structure if desired
Summer/Fall 2008: FWMH researches requirements and costs for main floor renovation
December 2008: FWMH votes to undertake renovation of main floor of house only
February 2009: FWMH submits Building Permit Application for the renovation
March 2009: Building Inspector determines that Special Permit required since the property lies in the Agricultural-Residential District, and the Community Center would be a municipal use
June 2009: Building Inspector gives Building Permit for repair/reshingling of roof
July 2009: FWMH submits Special Permit Application to ZBA on behalf of the Town (since the property belongs to the Town, and the entire property will be used for municipal purposes)
July 2009: Roof repair and reshingling complete October 2009: ZBA Special Permit Hearing and Decision – permit granted for Community Center use of property
November 2009: Planning begins for the Community Garden, to open Spring 2010
April 2010: Community Garden marked, plowed, fertilized and fenced. Gardening begins.
May 2010: Town Meeting votes funding for driveway and parking area construction
May 2010: Community Garden holds Seedling Sale with seedling-growing assistance from Gould Farm
Summer 2010: Community Garden thrives, crops are bountiful
December 2010: FWMH signs additional 5-year lease with Town of Monterey
April 2011: Second gardening season begins in the Community Garden
July 2011: New driveway by Monterey Road Crew
August 2011: Hazardous materials removal completed October 2011: First Community Center Fun Day February 2012: Fundraising campaign underway: matching grant from Turkeybush Foundation
May 2012: Townspeople vote to support our Capital Campaign with $10,000 award
May 2012: 3rd Annual Plant and Seedling Sale at Commnity Garden Summer ’12 – Winter ’13:mail Capital Campaign material, solicitation of funds, research contractors
Feb 2013: Solicit lead removal bids
May 2013: Lead paint removal complete
May 2013: Townspeople vote to support our Capital Campaign with $45,000 award
October 2013: Octoberfest 2013
Sep & Dec 2103: solicit basement/subfloor bids; fundraising continues
January 2014: basement/subfloor work begins, then suspended due to cold weather
Feb/Mar 2014: prepare & submit grant application to Massachusetts Cultural Council Capital Facilities Fund April 2014: basement/subfloor work complete; contract for frame repair; install gutters to catch rain water for use in community garden
May – Sept 2014: architect Steve McAlister works on drawings, specs
June 2014: award of $40,000 grant from MA Cultural Council Cultural Facilities Fund
September 2014: Installation of structural steel beams, rods. New stairway, 2nd floor joists and plywood installed.
October 2014: Octoberfest 2014
Order SIP (structural insulated panels) for walls; prepare building for SIP installation. Start Buy a Window campaign. November – December 2014:Buy a Window campaign successful – 27 windows purchased! Winter 2015:Install SIP panels, windows, CLOSE IN. Spring – Summer 2015:plumbing, electrical, interior carpentery, create soffits & prepare walls for siding, exterior drainage, footings for entry pad October 2015:Octoberfest 2015
frame entryway; spray foam insulation basement and top floor. November-December 2015:Interior insulation, sheetrock main floor ceilings and walls, paint interior. January – May 2016:Furnace installed; heat on! Interior carpentry, second floor wall, ceiling, sheetrock. May 2016:Town Meeting awards $40,000 toward completion; MA Cultural Council awards $25,000. June – July 2016:Kitchen and bath tiles installed, cabinets & counterop with sink. Interior carpentry. August – September 2016:Exterior siding and trim complete, paint. Final plumbing work. Landscaping, groundswork, septic system installed, pathways constructed. Fall 2016:Interior carpentry: custom stairway installed, finish window and door trim. Interior details Winter2016-2017:Install oak flooring, build stair railings, final electrical work. FINAL INSPECTIONS. April 12, 2017:Certificate of Occupancy granted. The MCC is officially open to the public. Monterey Council on Aging holds first public event that very day with a Stretch Class attended by six Monterey seniors.