Chronicle Highlights Acton's Powers Gallery

When Larry Powers, owner of on Great Rd, was looking to purchase a place for his gallery business in Acton, he came across a perfect location with some significant historical value. In 2005 he purchased a ‘lottery’ home built in the 1800’s from the Nylander family who wanted to see the historical value of the home maintained – Powers had every intention of doing so.

“The project was fun and terrifying all at the same time,” said Powers. “It had to satisfy commercial code and they say the hardest thing to do is to take a residence and transform it into commercial property. The building was built in 1800 and I’m guessing it would have been bulldozed and turned into a mall or something.”

When Powers took on this project he had his brother, Mike Powers handle the renovation and four employee’s (who are still at the gallery) help with the project: Evelyn Smith-Scally (Lowell), Susanne Meterko (Acton), Elizabeth Hanson (Cambridge) and Greg Weeks (Fitchburg).

“It really was a labor of love from the beginning with a great effort from everyone,” said Powers.

WCBV TV Channel 5 – Chronicle

According to Powers, when the renovation project began he was in touch with Chronicle producer, Stella Gould. She thought it was a great idea for a show but at the time there was no theme to dovetail into the show. Fast forward five years later and the theme ‘Recycled Boston’ arose and Gould gave Powers a call.

“He basically got in touch with me too early,” said Gould. “He presented it while it was in progress and it just didn’t fit into a show format at that point but I kept it.”

The Chronicle special will air Friday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 5. Tune in and see how the renovation project was completed. 

"It’s a gem on Route 2A," said Powers. “It’s a real slice of Acton history that will be this way in perpetuity.”