Stagecoach mural proposed for Handly building

One of the homeliest buildings in downtown Springfield could soon be graced with a large mural of Springfield’s historic 1800s stagecoach and the Adna Brown Hotel.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20111227/NEWS02/712279891

Published December 27, 2011 in the Rutland Herald

Stagecoach mural proposed for Handly building

By SUSAN SMALLHEER
Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD — One of the homeliest buildings in downtown Springfield could soon be graced with a large mural of Springfield’s historic 1800s stagecoach and the Adna Brown Hotel.

A group of residents are working with artist Jamie Townsend of Springfield to create the mural, which would be hung on the Handly building, which is located at the head of the Springfield Square.

The building, which is sometimes called “the Plywood Palace” by locals, has long drawn the attention of people working on downtown revitalization efforts.

The building itself was victim of a large fire in the early 1980s, when the top floors were demolished after the blaze.

Several years ago, at the height of Simpsonmania when ‘‘The Simpsons Movie’’ premiered in Springfield, people had proposed painting the large plywood structure bright Simpson yellow in an effort to brighten up downtown.

Nina Jamison, executive director of Gallery at the VAULT, said that in the process of inviting artists to display at The Great Hall at the recently restored and reconstructed Fellows Gear Shaper complex, she wanted to do something about the old Parks and Woolson factory on Park Street.

But when she contacted Townsend, he suggested the Handly building instead, she said recently.

Townsend has recently painted a large mural at Springfield Bowl.

Jamison said the mural, which would be painted on nine plywood panels measuring 4 feet by 8 feet, would be able to be removed from the building, when and if more ambitious restoration efforts are undertaken.

The mural will be 12 feet by 24 feet, she said. A sketch by Townsend shows Springfield’s 1800s stagecoach, which ran between Charlestown, N.H., and Springfield, Jamison said.

The last stagecoach stopped in 1897 when electric streetcars were installed. The Adna Brown Hotel burned on New Year’s Day in 1961. The 48-room hotel stood where the former Chittenden Bank stood. At the time it opened in 1892, the hotel was described as one of the finest in Vermont.

Jamison said she approached building owner Bill Handly of Springfield about the mural, and he fully supported the effort, she said.

She said the mural would not interfere with a potential project at the Handly building, proposed by Springfield On The Move, which involves siding and painting the building.

“The mural can come down easily, we’re not taking anything away,” she said.

Jamison said that John Meekin, one of the developers of One Hundred River Street LLC, has donated studio space for Townshend to paint the mural in the yellow house on the Fellows property on Pearl Street.

“Jamie can be painting all winter,” said Jamison, noting that Meekin had a pellet stove installed in the house, which will also house Polly Whitcomb’s new clay studio.

Jamison said that project doesn’t need a zoning permit since the mural is not considered a sign.

Bill Kearns, Springfield’s zoning administrator, said similar murals have run into trouble because they included words, and often directions.

Jamison said any donations can be sent to the Springfield Rotary Club, since it is a nonprofit organization with tax status.

Eventually, a total of $2,500 will have to be raised to pay for the mounting of the mural panels, additional supplies and Townsend’s costs.

Townsend’s preliminary sketch is based on a old photograph of the stage in the Harland Whitcomb Collection at the Vermont Historical Society, she said. The driver of the stagecoach is Wallace Fairbanks, with Ed Keys, Sim Long and John Hart also on hand.

Town Manager Robert Forguites said he supported the plan, and planned on asking the Select Board to lend their symbolic support to the effort as well.