Inside The Fight To Save Natick’s Oldest House

George Sawin can point to the house where his ancient ancestors lived out their lives. Soon, the structure might be torn down. WBZ NewsRadio's Chaiel Schaffel reports. 

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
More than three hundred years ago, George Sowin's great great
great great great great grandfather built this house that were
standing in front.

Speaker 2 (00:07):
Of, and we're approaching what would have been the front door.

Speaker 1 (00:10):
The structure on South Street is the oldest house and
first house in Native sixteen ninety six. Thomas Sawin, the builder,
was at first enemies with the indigenous people here.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
And what's interesting is that ten years later, the same
Thomas Slwin, who had participated in that massacre, was invited
by the same Native people to come and live with them.

Speaker 1 (00:29):
After King Phillips wore, Thomas built a mill for the
local people here and later represented them in court, earning
their favor. But the house might be close to its
final fate. Mass Audubon, which owns the house, has plans
to destroy it. They say the structure is too dilapidated
to keep.

Speaker 2 (00:42):
They'll be permitted to tear it down, which would be
a tremendous tragedy.

Speaker 1 (00:46):
George wants the organization to hand over his ancient family
home to a nonprofit instead. Kyle Shaffel w BZ, Boston's
news radio