A last minute reprieve for the Moses P. Payson Mansion offers to change its course from Demolition to Renovation.

On Tuesday, November 16th, 2004 a wrecking crane arrived and began demolition at the rear section of the building.

A local entrepreneur seeing the demolition immediatly intervened. This action has led to a new awareness in the community, and a new opportunity for preservation in the Bath Historic District.

The Moses P. Payson Mansion is the oldest building in the center of the town of Bath. An attempt is underway to save this important historical treasure together with the inspirational history that it represents.

The brick walls of this mansion are four courses thick. The fire was confined to the roof and did not burn the walls. There is little damage by heat to the walls inside the building.

The visible damage to the building was primarily done by the crane that had begun demolition.