The Abattoir at Ottis State Forest Farm, Lower Spectacle Pond

One of our very notable projects this year has been the Abattoir at the Ottis State Forest Farm on Lower Spectacle Pond in Sandisfield, Massachusetts. This building was once part of the privately owned Spectacle Pond Farm, located within Otis State Forest. The Abattoir is a significant historical structure that dates back nearly two centuries. It is one of the few remaining examples of its kind in the state of Massachusetts.

What is an Abattoir?
We preservationists like to pretty things up when we can. Sometimes, a French word is perfect when the English equivalent is unpleasant. This is a perfect example. Abattoir is a more elegant name for its less appealing English term, slaughterhouse.

In 2007, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) acquired the 900-acre Spectacle Pond Farm, incorporating it into the Otis State Forest. This acquisition aimed to preserve the area’s pristine old-growth forests and the undeveloped shoreline of Lower Spectacle Pond.

Before the Restoration

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) serves as the caretaker of the property. Because it is such a tangible link to the region’s agricultural heritage, and the building was salvageable, DCR wanted to restore this humble structure as part of revitalizing the farm. In 2024, the Abattoir was rehabilitated in place so it could be made available to the public for educational purposes.

“DCR has lost many timber frame buildings in recent decades, especially in Western Massachusetts. This project will help to preserve a tangible artifact from the agricultural history of Sandisfield and the region.” A DCR representative told the Sandisfield Times, “This abattoir is the rarest and most stable of all the buildings and is the only known remaining abattoir in DCR’s portfolio.”

Kronenberger & Sons Restoration has an ongoing maintenance contract with MDCR and we were excited to be able to fit this restoration project into our annual contract. We worked with a structural engineer to develop the plans for the restoration as much of the foundation of the structure had collapsed.

During the Structural Restoration and Rehabilitation Phase

One really nice aspect of the project was that we were able to use a lot of reclaimed materials from the other period buildings on the property that are slated for removal, such as clapboards, window and door parts, siding, and most of the post and beams used to recreate the structural components. All in all, we estimate we were able to use approximately 75% salvaged materials from other farm buildings.

Putting the Building Back Together – Applying Finishes and Stonework

KSR served as the General Contractor and site supervisors. Our work included the structural restoration of the post and beam framework, shoring up and restoring the foundation and stonework, installing new concrete and stonework, restoring or refabricating the windows and doors, and installing the siding and roofing.