ADAMS -- The developers of the Mausert Block plan to soon go live with a decade-by-decade history of the building on their website
Stephen and Holly Stenson of REDPM have dug into old Transcript articles, connected with descendants of the building’s prior owners and compiled a document sure to engage enthusiasts of local history.
The timeline -- including links to decades-old news articles -- is due to hit www.mausert.com in pieces, corresponding with articles in the Transcript about the time period. The first article, on the building’s conception and construction in 1900-01 and the years following, runs in next Saturday’s edition of the Transcript.
"To us, the history of the building is very useful," Stephen Stenson said Wednesday. "It reveals things about a building that wouldn’t be apparent in a traditional architectural walk-through."
And they would like to share the findings. Holly Stenson said it’s an opportunity to involve the community in the process of reshaping a town icon.
"Everybody has their story [about the building]," Stenson added. "It was one of the first things we got from people after taking on the project. ... We want to start documenting these stories and interacting with the community as the building is built back into a vibrant part of the community."
Stenson encouraged residents to begin posting stories on the Mausert
George and Conrad Mausert had the building constructed in 1900-01. It was one of four large brick buildings erected on Park Street during the era.
"All these buildings were built within six or seven years," Eugene Michalenko, of the Adams Historical Commission said. "That was the boom that went on in Adams."
The building’s history includes businesses from hat shops to grocery stores, a third-floor dance hall and secret society, ownership conflicts, a fire and condemnation.
Stephen Stenson said readers can expect some funny details, as what constituted news in the early 1900s differs quite radically from today.
"It goes down to a personal level -- like if someone moved or had a nice party," Stenson said. "[It’s] like the Facebook page of the early 1900s."
To reach Phil Demers, email
pdemers@thetranscript.com.
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