- April 26, 2024
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Dear Editor:
As a native of this area, and as one who believes strongly in preserving local history, I would like to comment on the "Nathan Cobb Cottage," located on Orchard Lane in Ormond Beach.
In May of 2014, long-time resident and supporter of the Ormond Beach Historical Society Tom Massfeller purchased the property, paying careful attention to its upkeep, also giving private tours to those who were interested in its history. In June 2020, Mr. Massfeller passed away, leaving the cottage, and considerable financial assets, to OBHS, an organization he trusted to oversee the cottage as they do with other historic sites they administer. Unfortunately, the Ormond Beach Historical Society, within months of assuming title, has focused only on selling the property.
The history of the cottage is unique in that the structure was built from the 1896 wreck of the Nathan F. Cobb, a three-masted schooner named after a shipbuilder from Rockland, Maine. The ship, built in 1890, was en route from Brunswick, Georgia, to New York when it encountered a Nor'easter and capsized. Its cargo, two crewmen and part of the ship itself were lost in the high seas. After drifting for four days, the hull of the vessel became grounded on a sandbar approximately 1,000 feet off the coast of Ormond Beach.
Through the efforts of the Ormond Hotel manager J.D. Price, and other locals at the time, a rescue was launched to bring the stranded crew to shore. In time, much of what was salvaged from the ship's hull was used to build what is now the Nathan Cobb Cottage.
Today, the spirit of the Nathan F. Cobb is alive and well at 137 Orchard Street in Ormond Beach. But now, a dark cloud hangs over it as another storm approaches. OBHS seems to have lost its way when it comes to preserving our local history. Some board members have a short-sighted view of the cottage, preferring to sell it, rather than maintain it. For those of us who care about the fate of this historical house, we strongly urge you to take a stand in favor of delaying placing ownership into private hands, and honor the legacy of Tom Massfeller.
The Nathan Cobb Cottage is an indelible link to the history of this area, and we, as citizens of Ormond Beach, need to speak up and help save this unique historical landmark.
Cathy Wharton
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
In response to Cathy Wharton’s letter, every member of the Board of the Ormond Beach Historical Society is committed to preserving the Nathan Cobb Cottage. Some of us want the Society to keep and preserve it, and others want to sell it to someone who is fully committed to preserving it and willing to sign a contract/deed that will guarantee this and give the Historical Society the ‘first right of refusal” when it is sold in the future. Two people have come forward to purchase the cottage, one of whom is a board member and the other a well-known resident. Both individuals have a history of preserving historic properties, so those who opt for selling it do not want to delay sale of the property, lest the potential purchasers lose interest. They want to follow Tom Massfeller’s example and do exactly what he did: Purchase it to ensure that it is preserved.
Tom left the NCC to the Society without leaving a written document that stipulates what he would like the Society to do with it. Nevertheless, he did mention to me and two other members that the Society has his permission to sell it, and we are certain that he wanted to preserve it.
Both the Anderson-Price Building and the NCC have historical value that merits preservation. The Anderson-Price also has utilitarian value (i.e.,
many uses and the potential to fund itself through rentals) while the Nathan Cobb has limited utilitarian value because it is too small and it is located in a residential area with limited parking.
The decision regarding the NCC will be made by the entire Board of Directors. We have requested a comprehensive plan from the group that wants the Society to keep the NCC, which we have not received to date. We welcome comments from all citizens, and we urge Ms. Wharton and others to join the Historical Society and address their concerns directly to the Board.
As our Annual Review clearly demonstrates, the Society is more active in serving the community than ever. We take seriously the fact that we have a long-
term fiduciary responsibility to maintain the Society on sound financial footing.
Clearly, our friend, benefactor, and Board member Tom Massfeller enthusiastically and generously supported all of these Board decisions and also the preservation of all of these historic landmarks as well as the Nathan Cobb Cottage.
Jerry Lampe
President, Ormond Beach Historical Society
Dear Editor:
I read your piece "Residents at Ormond in the Pines receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine," and I am happy to hear that many 65 and older are beginning to get the vaccine.
Unfortunately, the rollout in the county has been rocky to say the least. My wife and I meet the age requirements, but were not lucky enough to get the shots here locally in Volusia County. Luckily, we did get appointments and the shots at the AdventHealth event at the Orlando International Airport today. The process was easy and the site operated like a well oiled machine. I have nothing but kudos for AdventHealth. It was worth the long drive there. My two-cents.
Joe Perez
Ormond Beach
