Millis restores historic Lansing Millis train station; fundraising under way for interior work and future uses
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Summary
Volunteers and town officials detailed exterior restoration progress at the Lansing Millis Memorial Train Station and launched private fundraising for interior renovations. Possible uses discussed include relocating a food pantry to the first floor and creating a local-history museum upstairs.
Ellen Rosenfeld, presenting to the Select Board on Oct. 20, reported near-complete exterior repairs to the Lansing Millis Memorial Train Station and said volunteers have begun fundraising to pay for interior renovations. Rosenfeld showed photographs of the building in disrepair, explained recent repairs and described remaining interior needs that she said can be funded through donations and grants rather than an additional town appropriation.
Rosenfeld said the exterior work has largely been completed: rotten columns were rebuilt, decorative trim was replaced with durable Azek composite where needed, a copper turret roof was patched, composite railings were installed and sheltering work preserved sandstone details. She estimated remaining exterior repointing and interior cosmetic work — new flooring, lighting, plaster and paint — and said she has already raised some private donations and asked the public to contribute online via the town website.
On future uses, Rosenfeld presented two ideas she said the committee has discussed: moving the local food pantry from a cramped church basement into the train station first floor, and creating a small local-history museum on the second floor to house the Millis Historical Commission’s collections, which Rosenfeld described as densely stored and at risk. Rosenfeld said the station opened in 1886 and described the building as a shared civic asset; several residents present at the meeting praised the restoration work and offered support.
Rosenfeld said the town previously allocated $250,000 for exterior work from free cash and a community preservation committee grant; she said she does not intend to ask for town funds for the interior and instead will continue fundraising. She encouraged residents to visit the town website to read the station’s history and to use a posted QR code or mail check donations marked “Train station.”
Select Board members and attendees at the meeting thanked Rosenfeld and volunteer contractors; one resident noted the station draws visitors and community interest. Rosenfeld said the Historical Commission’s storage at Oak Grove Farm is crowded and fragile, and a curated museum space at the station could help preserve artifacts.
