Newport
The National Park Service designation, announced last week by the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources, means the owners of the mill are eligible for tax credits and grants for its redevelopment.
The Sunapee Street mill is owned by 169 Sunapee Street LLC, a Naples, Fla.-based business, according to the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s website. Assessed at $1.25 million, the three-story, 70,000-square-foot building, with about 28 acres, was sold for $1.1 million. The property also includes two operating hydroelectric dams that were restored by the former owner, William Ruger Jr.
According to a news release from the Division of Historical Resources, the designation, which was applied for by the owners, does not impose any “new or additional restrictions or limitations” on the building.
“In New Hampshire, listing to the National Register makes applicable property owners eligible for grants such as the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program,” the release said.
Also available to those who invest in historic structures is the state Community Revitalization Tax Incentive, which freezes the pre-renovation assessment for up to seven years on any qualifying structure. However, that program it is not on the books in Newport and would need voter approval.
The mill is currently vacant and most recently was used to store a large collection of vintage automobiles owned by Ruger. There was also a computer and electronics recycling business on one floor that was operated by Lyle Patterson, who worked for Ruger. Patterson died in July 2015.
The new owners have not made their plans for the property public.
Newport’s planning and zoning administrator, Julie Magnuson, said the property is located in a few different zones, including industrial, light commercial and residential.
“They would need zoning approval for their plans,” Magnuson said.
Kevin Henderson, of First Realty New England of Sunapee, was the agent on the sale.
He said last week he is also marketing the Corbin Estate, with 500 acres, for Ruger, who now lives in Maine.
In addition to the restoration of the hydro dams, Ruger invested in new flooring for the mill, which last operated in the 1940s as the Gordon Woolen Mill, a maker of Army clothing during World War II.
Richards and Sons built the mill in 1905 and operated it until 1926. It is the last textile mill in Newport.
The state Division of Historical Resources said the building is noted for its unique five-story Romanesque tower with three arched windows on each side. Also, the wood beams and many of the large windows with wheels and rod mechanisms are original.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com
