The Harvard Historical Commission voted 4–1 Wednesday night to deny Fivesparks permission to install three modern steel sculptures on the grounds of the former library at 7 Fairbank Street, in the town’s historic district. The decision came after a public hearing that drew dozens of participants and heard competing arguments over both the appropriateness of the artwork and the commission’s authority to regulate.
The Sept. 2 hearing was the continuation of a process that began earlier this summer, after Fivesparks sought a certificate of appropriateness for three sculptures donated by the Rappaport Foundation: “Low Boy,” a polished steel sculpture by Joel Perlman measuring nearly 9 feet wide; “Lil,” a stainless steel work by Willard Boepple standing 10 feet tall; and “Auciello I,” a 6-foot-tall refinished steel sculpture by Peter Lipsitt.
The Select Board approved a licensing agreement for the sculptures in March, contingent on Fivesparks obtaining Historical Commission approval, if required. Town counsel KP Law subsequently determined that the commission had jurisdiction over the proposal, leading to Wednesday’s hearing.
Fivesparks board member Spencer Holland, an attorney with Mirick who practices public and municipal law, challenged KP Law’s opinion at the outset of the hearing. Holland argued that the commission’s authority under the town bylaw extends to buildings and structures, while the proposed sculptures are movable property. Because the Select Board granted Fivesparks a revocable license and the sculptures would not be permanently affixed to the property, Holland argued they should be treated more like movable objects, such as large planters, than structures subject to Historical Commission review.
Fivesparks board member Willie Wickman told commissioners the organization welcomed the conversation the proposal had generated in town. She compared the issue of adding contemporary art to a historical property with other ways historical buildings have been adapted to modern needs citing the addition of an accessibility ramp at Fivesparks.
Supporters said the sculptures would bring additional art to the town center and spark interest and curiosity, while opponents focused largely on the scale and contemporary appearance of the sculptures and their placement within the historic district.
Melissa Marteney of Ayer Road, speaking also on behalf of the Harvard Historical Society, objected to the sculptures’ size. Hilary Maglothin, whose property abuts Fivesparks, argued the pieces’ scale would obscure the Fivesparks building, while other residents questioned whether the location was suitable and expressed concern about the precedent that approval could set for additional artwork on the Common.
The commission also received nine emails opposing the proposal and a petition bearing 41 signatures in opposition, according to information presented at the hearing.
The petition stated that its signers are not opposed to modern art itself, but object to permanently placing the three sculptures in a historically significant location without a demonstrated connection to Harvard or its historic district. It asked town officials to deny approval of the installation in order to protect the district’s historic character.
Following public comment, the five present commissioners closed the hearing and deliberated before voting on the proposal. One commissioner was absent and one voted in favor, four opposed, defeating the application. Commissioners said Fivesparks could return with another proposal.
In a statement following the decision, Fivesparks said its board had not yet determined what it would do with the sculptures.
“We’re naturally disappointed with the commission’s decision, but we appreciate the community engagement and thoughtful feedback the proposal generated,” the statement said. “We continue to believe that art can bring people together and inspire meaningful dialogue, as was always our board’s plan.”
The organization said its board will discuss its next steps and remains committed to being “both good neighbors and dedicated stewards of this historic property, as we have been for nearly 10 years.”
