Paul Revere House Museum’s Executive Director, Nina Zannieri, presented at this week’s NEWRA meeting on the progress of the museum’s ongoing expansion project, including conversion of the c.1835 building at 5-6 Lathrop Place into an Education and Visitor Center.
The facility will include youth and family program space, restrooms, museum shop, midnight ride exhibit and displays. It will also include an elevator offering full handicapped access to all floors as well as to the second floor of the Paul Revere House for the very first time. The Paul Revere House currently hosts over 250,000 visitors per year.
Describing Lathrop Place, Zannieri said, “This building belongs to the community. This is a classic North End building with a history. It is a prime example of what was on many street corners in the North End.” The building will add 3,600 square feet to the museum.
After the renovation, the main entrance to the Paul Revere House will stay on North Square, off the Freedom Trail, although the museum may use Lathrop Place for deliveries.
The Museum has raised $1.5 million of what is expected to be a $3 million total cost. The exterior will be completed in August 2010 and the interior could open in 2012.
Certain zoning variances will be required and the Museum will return to the neighborhood groups at a later time to discuss those issues.
North End/Waterfront residents receive free admission to the Paul Revere House museum. More information can be found at www.paulreverehouse.org.
