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Northfield panel backs accessibility-focused renovation of Centennial House at 94 Main Street
Summary
The Northfield Historical Commission voted April 13 to send a letter of support for a plan to renovate the Centennial House at 94 Main Street to add ADA-accessible features while retaining its operation as a bed-and-breakfast; the presenters said proceeds will support the Resilience Center nonprofit.
On April 13, 2026, the Northfield Historical Commission voted to send a letter of support to the Northfield Building Inspector for a renovation plan for the Centennial House at 94 Main Street.
Designers Rachel Keenan Roberts of RKR Design and Amanda Sanderson of Purple Iris LLC presented proposed changes intended to preserve the building’s role as a bed-and-breakfast while improving accessibility. The presenters said the project would comply with requirements tied to the building’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places and would include interior and exterior modifications to improve access.
The plan, as described to the commission, calls for converting the current office into an ADA‑compliant bedroom, reconfiguring nearby bathrooms to be accessible, converting a back bathroom into a public, accessible restroom, and creating a reception area with two tables sized for accessibility. Exterior work described includes an ADA‑compliant ramp on the north side with a new doorway to the building and creation of accessible parking on Meadow Street. Presenters also noted plans to upgrade the fire system.
Presenters said the operation would continue to function as the Centennial House bed-and-breakfast. They told the commission they have hired an innkeeper to live on site and that one of five bedrooms upstairs would be reassigned as a housekeeping room. The presenters said the business will operate through a for-profit LLC (separate for liability reasons) and that revenues from the for-profit enterprise are intended to provide funding for the Resilience Center, a local nonprofit.
Following the presentation, commission member Joe Graveline moved that the commission write a letter of support to the Northfield Building Inspector endorsing the renovation plan; Bee Jacque seconded the motion. The minutes record that the motion passed. The minutes do not record a roll-call tally or further conditions attached to the support.
The commission postponed review of the previous meeting minutes earlier in the session and adjourned at 4:22 p.m. The meeting minutes were submitted by Committee Clerk Lindsay McCarthy. The date of the next meeting was listed as "TBD."
