BATH, N.H. -- The old Moses Payson mansion in Bath is a piece of the town's history, but the building has had a rough past.

It was once set on fire, and for years, it has been neglected.

When the owners finally decided to destroy the mansion, Charlie Diamond stepped in.

"The day I saw the crane, I came running over and pleaded with them to stop. The guy said, 'I can't do that, I'll get fired,' so I asked him, 'Couldn't you just go work over there?'"

Diamond bought the Payson mansion. He said he did it to honor Bath's rich history.

"I couldn't imagine if this got torn down," Diamond said. "It would be destroying part of the town. I just couldn't imagine this building being gone, given how rich the history of Bath is."

In its glory days, the mansion was home to dignitaries.

“The original owner came into Bath with only $1. He built this building and he attracted lots of lawyers and judges and politicians here,” said Diamond. “At the time, Bath was the legal capital of New Hampshire.”

Call it his diamond in the rough. His hope is to raise money to restore history.

For more information on the mansion, go to: http://www.togo.to/Bath/