The city’s Historic District Commission (HDC) last week denied a request to remove a shingled tower from the historic Henry Pratt workshop at 5 Turner Ave., and also denied the owners’ request to refresh the building with vinyl siding.

The unusual-looking building, which is now being used as a residential garage, was once the workshop of local builder and craftsman Henry Pratt who built some of the finer historic houses in the village in the late 1800s.

According to the application on file with the city, owners John and Pamela Lawson would like to remove the shingled tower because of the cost of maintaining it and the fact that its weight is stressing the structure of the building.  They also noted that maintenance costs could be reduced by the application of vinyl siding.  

According to historical documents, Pratt built the tower to serve as the base of a propellor-style windmill for his workshop.

The building is a part of Oaklawn’s federally designated Historic District, which means that it is part of a protected preservation area. Proposals for new construction or exterior alterations are subject to review by the HDC in order to determine the impact on a building’s historical character and whether or not changes will make a structure inconsistent with the historic character of the district.

The Oaklawn historic district is the only designated historic district in Cranston.

The decision to deny the Lawson’s request was preceded by lengthy discussion during which Commission members sometimes questioned how much latitude they have over determining exactly what exterior changes can be made to buildings in the historic district.

Some board members also considered modifying the Lawson’s request in an attempt to find a compromise between the owners’ concerns and the need to protect the historic value of the former Pratt workshop.

In conversations with the committee, the Lawsons noted said that they had received information from various contractors who said that there was dry rot around the base of the building and that it might need to be stabilized at the bottom since it does not have a foundation. They said that the weight of the tower is further stressing the building. Some HDC members debated whether it would be possible to reach a compromise under which only a portion of the old windmill tower was removed to reduce stress, while keeping at least a third of the tower to serve as a visual indication that the building had historical significance.

Pratt, a creative builder known for the decorative touches he added to his late 19^th-century houses, had originally hoped that the windmill would produce enough energy to power his tools.  Historical documents indicate that the farm-style windmill did not achieve that, but did generate enough power to help him draw water from his well.

Stephen A. Torregrossa, chairman of the historic commission, said that according to his understanding of the rules and policies governing the HDC, a compromise would not be possible because any buildings within the district have to either be restored to exactly their original specifications or torn down if it not structurally sound. As a result, he said, removing part of the tower should not be considered.

Because there were questions about the condition of the Pratt garage, Torregrossa said that in his opinion, it should be razed.

The Lawsons asked if they would be allowed to build a new garage in its place but were advised that current zoning laws would not allow that given the size of the lot it is situated on.

Torregrossa’s remarks about tearing down the building seemed to surprise some HDC members who said they were looking for a compromise.

Acting City Planning Director Beth Ashman said that the final decision rested with the HDC but noted that language in the city code of ordinances indicates that the commission it does have some latitude in determining if a building can be modified while still preserving its historical character.

A couple of residents, including members of the Cranston Historical Society, spoke out against removing the tower from the garage as well as the request to add vinyl siding.  Historical Society member and Cranston resident John Hill cautioned that the integrity an entire historic district can be eroded bit by bit as the result of decisions to allow historical structures to be modified in ways that are not keeping with their original character.

In denying the application to take down the old windmill base and add vinyl siding, HDC members noted that they would not object to work done to further stabilize the building as long as it was done with “in kind” materials.

The Lawsons declined comment after the decision, saying that wanted to review all the information that had been discussed.

Editor’s note: Cranston Herald reporter Barbara Polichetti is a volunteer with the Cranston Historical Society.