Uncovered in Hopedale
By Helen D. Kent
Hopedale Correspondent
HOPEDALE - The razing of a century-old building is cause for general interest, and the former Brae Burn Inn at the junction of Adin and Hopedale streets, now being wrecked by the John F. Curran Co., of Milford, is no exception.
Mr. Curran has razed more than 75 buildings, and he stated that the construction of the inn has presented him with unusual insight into the methods of building of 100 years ago.
The material is native spruce and the boarding as overlapped on the outside walls, constituted practically a fireproof building since all air was excluded. If a fire did occur, there would be no draft and the blaze would thereby be smothered.
No lumber was spared to ensure this protection. The outside of the building is clapboarded.
Originally there was a fireplace in every room but most of these were closed up during the years when central heating was installed.
Mr. Curran discovered several interesting souvenirs in the building, one being a partly-smoked Sweet Caporal cigarette, a brand which he stated was popular during the time of World War I. Another item was a set of plans for the elaborate remodeling of the inn during the tenure of the late Charles H. Andrew, proprietor.
The plans were drawn by Walter Collins, architect and called for a large addition on the south side and club rooms in the basement. An interesting feature was the upstairs plan, which included 13 bedrooms. This, according to Mr. Curran, would be considered unlucky in the hotel business today.
The early history of the building is of interest. According to Rev. Adin Ballou, the house was built about 1856 by Ebenezer D. Draper, who came here from Uxbridge in 1842 and with his wife, the former Anna Mowry Thwing, were active members of the Hopedale Community, he being its president. With his brother, George, Ebenezer founded the Draper Company, predecessor to the present Draper Corporation.
For a time, Ebenezer D. Draper and his wife lived in the Old House, the center of Community life. When the Community dissolved in 1856, he became interested in the American Steam Fireproof Safe Co. in Boston. [It may have been that early, but I think it was probably some years later before Ebenezer made his unfortunate investment in the fireproof safe company. DM] A few years later he and his brother dissolved their partnership in the Draper Co. Following the death of Mrs. Ebenezer D. Draper in 1870, the husband disposed of his property here and moved to Boston.
The history further states that the Ebenezer D. Draper house was purchased by Deacon Asa A. Westcott in 1873. Mr. Westcott came here from Scituate, R.I., and with his sons operated the A.A. Westcott Spindle Mill in Spindleville. The business was later run by his sons and grandsons, until a few years ago when the manufacturing of spindles ceased.
Shortly after the death of Deacon Westcott, the property was acquired by Draper Corporation and tenanted by Mr. and Mrs. Dana Osgood and later served as an inn with various proprietors up to about two months ago. Milford Daily News, December 16, 1957.
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