Newton Historical Commission Denies Senior Center Landmark Status

NEWTON, MA — The Newton Historical Commission (NHC) voted last week not to nominate the Newton Senior Center for further landmark study, allowing the city’s plans to replace it with a brand new Newton Center for Active Living (NewCAL) to continue.

The motion to nominate the building for landmark status, which was defeated by a vote of 2-5 with one member absent, would have changed or delayed the NewCAL project. However, the city may now continue its initial plan to break ground in 2023.

The existing Senior Center building was constructed as the Newtonville Branch Library in 1938, a Depression-era Public Works Administration project, and was the largest of the city's branch libraries.

At the building's dedication in 1939, an array of prominent officials were present and the event was headlined by Robert Frost, who read his poem, "Mending Wall," lines of which are contained in the building's stained glass windows.

Because of its historical significance, hundreds of residents have spoken out against the Senior Center being demolished, many writing to the city asking for the exterior portions of the Senior Center building be preserved, and City Councilors Tarik Lucas and Julia Malakie nominated the site as a landmark.

The next community update meeting on the NewCAL project will be on Thursday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m.

To watch the full NHC meeting, click here.