Campaign Story

A Living History • A Community Vision • A Future Being Built Together

At the heart of Woburn’s Central Square stands one of the city’s most recognizable historic landmarks: the former Wyman School property, anchored by its iconic 1892 Romanesque “castle” at 677 Main Street.

For generations, the Wyman School served as a place of learning, gathering, and community life. Built in 1892 on land historically connected to the Wyman family—among Woburn’s earliest settlers—the property became deeply woven into the city’s identity. Originally commissioned just a few years after Woburn officially became a city, the school represented civic pride, permanence, and public investment in education.

But after the school closed and the property sat vacant for years, residents began hearing rumors in 2024 about possible redevelopment and the uncertain future of the site. For many in Woburn, the thought of losing the Castle felt unthinkable.

Summer 2024 - Early Concerns Begin

Throughout the summer of 2024, community members began hearing stories about potential development plans for the Wyman property. Conversations spread quietly throughout the neighborhood as residents worried the historic site could eventually face demolition or private sale.

Among those concerned was longtime Woburn educator, arts advocate, and lifelong resident Susan Thifault. Susan believed the property represented far more than an abandoned school building. To her, it was a rare civic asset with the potential to once again serve the people of Woburn.

September 2024 - A Grassroots Movement Begins

In September 2024, Susan Thifault formally reached out to Mayor Michael Concannon by email to express concern about the future of the Wyman Castle and surrounding property. She volunteered to serve on any future committee or planning effort related to the site and was told, “I’ll keep you in mind.”

At the same time, Susan began researching successful preservation and adaptive reuse projects across Massachusetts. She decided to visit local arts and community places in Watertown, Arlington, Lexington, Concord, Somerville. Each visit left a lasting impression: She saw what was possible when communities chose preservation over demolition or selling land to developers. The template was already there. All she had to do was follow what others had done over 20 years ago.

Inspired by those examples, Susan began organizing a grassroots awareness campaign focused on protecting the Wyman Castle and preserving the property for future public use.

October 2024 - Public Awareness Campaign Launches

On October 23, 2024, The Daily Times Chronicle published an article titled: Mayor to Dispose of the Wyman School property. “Mayor Begins Process to Dispose of Old Wyman — City Council to Decide Fate.” After seeing the article in the paper, Susan decided to begin an intensified grassroots campaign with a simple message. Wyman Castle was worth saving.

Susan publicly launched the preservation effort. She published a Letter to the Editor and began building awareness through:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Email outreach
Local newspapers
Neighborhood conversations

October 28, 2024

Susan writes a letter to editor “Make the choice that honors this city’s history and save the Wyman castle.

November 2024 - “Be a History Hero”

As public interest grew, Susan personally mailed letters to every member of the Woburn City Council as well as State Representative Richard Haggerty.

She launched the campaign slogan: “Be a History Hero”

The campaign encouraged residents to:

Contact city officials
Learn about the property
Share information with neighbors
Join preservation efforts

December 2024 - Organizing the Community

Councilor Joe Demers contacted Susan and promised to organize a public community meeting after the holiday season so residents could discuss ideas for the property’s future. A public community forum was officially scheduled for January 28, 2025, at the Woburn Public Library. Determined to ensure strong public participation, Susan launched a grassroots outreach effort throughout the Wyman neighborhood:

Distributed more than 200 flyers door-to-door
Posted extensively on social media
Encouraged neighbors to attend and bring others
Over 125 people attended this meeting given by City Councilor Joe Demers
At this meeting the citizens had a chance to express their concerns and ask questions.
The Mayor and city council members also attended.

The campaign remained entirely community-driven.

January 2025 - The Movement Takes Shape

Susan writes another letter to editor asking the public to attend Wyman meeting on January 28, 2025 an Be a History Hero

Throughout January 2025, efforts intensified to encourage residents to attend the upcoming community meeting.

A campaign email account was created: savethewymancastle@gmail.com

On January 28, 2025

Community Meeting - More than 150 residents attended the public meeting at the Woburn Public Library. The turnout surprised city officials and demonstrated the depth of public interest surrounding the property. Councilor Joe Demers facilitated the meeting, where residents shared ideas, concerns, and visions for the site’s future. Participants filled flip charts and sticky notes with suggestions ranging from preservation and arts programming to gardens, gathering spaces, and educational uses. The meeting became a turning point. What began as concern was becoming an organized movement.

January 30, 2025 — Committee Formation

Just days later, Susan asked certain members who attended the meeting on January 28 to form a committee under the name “ Save the Wyman Castle Committee”

Founding members included:

Susan Thifault
Dr. Patricia McCauley
Madelyn Farrell
Catherine Shaughnessy
Kathryn Thifault
Other community members

The committee immediately created:

A Google Form for collecting supporters and emails
Volunteer outreach systems
Community organizing efforts
Gmail address
Yard sign drive

January 31, 2025 - Call to Action

A citywide call-to-action campaign launched encouraging residents to:

Contact city councilors
Spread awareness
Volunteer
Become “Street Captains”
Help preserve the Castle

February 2025 - Official Campaign Launch

On February 4, 2025, the committee held its first official meeting at the Woburn Public Library. At that meeting the initial members were interested in working to save the castle. Susan Thifault, Kathryn Thifault, Dr. Patricia McCauley, Madelyn Farrell, Catherine Shaughnessy and several community members.

February 11, 2025

Soon after, Susan publicly launched the official campaign as a press release to: Save Wyman Castle and Protect the Wyman School Property

The campaign emphasized that preservation was about more than saving a building.

It was about:

Preserving Woburn’s history
Protecting public land
Creating future community opportunities
Building a lasting civic asset

The committee also began researching:

Nonprofit governance
Lease structures
Restoration models
Financial planning
Community arts center case studies

Examples in Concord, Arlington, Somerville, Lexington, and Watertown demonstrated that historic buildings could successfully become nonprofit-operated community arts centers.

March 2025

Committee pivots to stop as they learn a 225 unit development project “overlay district” was on the agenda at city council. This development would be in central square. The committee decides that this development would forever alter the historic look of central square so they inform the neighbors and do a grass roots campaign with flyer drops with detailed information. Committee members and citizens attend many city council meetings to speak about saving the castle.

March 18, 2025

Yard sign Pick up - photo of the Wyman castle committee yard sign pick up in Daily Times.

The committee continues to work to stop the “overlay district" and 225 units.

April 2025

Urge citizens to attend the April 15, 2025 meeting to prevent the 225 units. City council voted it down due to over 200 people attending the council meeting and expressing concerns. Developers change their mind on overlay plans for 225 units but they may be back with other options.

May 2025

Two Committee members decided to step down from the committee and Kathryn Thifault and Karen Thifault began to attend meetings.

June 24, 2025 - Building the Foundation

Save the Wyman Castle members ask Joe Demers city council Ward 4 to have a meeting with abutters. Joe plans a neighborhood meeting at Spence Farm to discuss the future of Wyman School site. Roughly 75 people attended.

https://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/woburn/article_7c736709-aab4-45ce-bc17-db4d1deedf0f.html

Throughout 2025, committee members continued working behind the scenes.

They:

Studied adaptive reuse projects
Developed organizational plans
Built community relationships
Expanded outreach efforts
Continued conversations with city officials

The vision for the Castle Arts and Community Center became increasingly detailed:

Performance spaces
Artist studios
Galleries
Community meeting rooms
Educational programming
Gardens and outdoor gathering areas
Farmers markets and civic events

The proposal emphasized:

City ownership retained
Nonprofit-led fundraising and operations
Long-term public benefit

July, 2025

Save the Wyman committee has a long discussion about the continued campaign. A vote was taken with committee members to decide to take a “lets see what happens” approach or “Shoot for the moon” approach. The committee voted “We are in it to win it” and voted to invest and continue. They also decided to shift and save the entire school property to make it into an arts and community center for the entire school property.

August 2025

During the summer months, over 400 yard signs were delivered to the public. The committee continues to reach out to city council, research surrounding arts centers, build their email list, attend committee meetings and plan for the fall.

October 2025

October 1, 2025

Mayor still open to uses for Wyman school

https://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/woburn/article_4e72e709-8c4b-4451-aad3-434f06f8085d.html

November 2025 - Sharing our vision

Press Release on November 14, 2025, Save the Wyman Castle Committee unveils vision for castle and surrounding property.

The group has formally applied to be a nonprofit organization under the name: The Castle Arts and Community Center

The vision was ambitious but clear: To transform the approximately 35,000-square-foot property into a vibrant arts and community center operated through a nonprofit model for public benefit.

By November 2025, the committee began publicly presenting its formal vision to the public for the property. A 10-minute presentation “road show” was carried throughout the city to community organizations and civic groups.

Early supporters included:

Reeves PTO
New Horizons
Senior Center
Woburn Historical Commission

One meeting at a time, support continued to grow.

November 13, 2025

Our accountant files all the official paperwork for a non profit organization under the name “The Castle Arts and Community Center”

Incorporate as a Massachusetts nonprofit

Create a mission statement

Create bylaws

Filed for Articles of Organization with Massachusetts

Apply for federal tax exempt status

Officers and board members appointed

November 18, 2025

A bank account is open at Northern Bank bank account.

November 19, 2025

Erin Merceruio Nelson joins our team as a strong fundraiser professional

November 28, 2025

We were officially notified that as of November 13, 2025 we have federal income tax under Internal Revenue.

December 2025 - Momentum Expands

December 2, 2025 -

Petitioning City Council for ‘citizen’s participation’ time… ‘Save the Wyman’ group wants to convert school into community center https://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/woburn/article_0e091ba2-c196-40d1-b0c1-99f274cf98c6.html

The outreach campaign expanded further across Woburn.

The committee presented to:

Woburn Guild of Artists
Community organizations
Neighborhood groups
Senior organizations

December 12, 2025

Received letter that we are officially recognized as a non profit.

January 2026 - Public Momentum Builds

January 24, 2026

Committee registered with the office of the attorney general charities division in Massachusetts

The campaign had evolved into a major community movement.

The committee released:

A public video presentation
A formal petition campaign
Expanded citywide outreach

Presentations were delivered to:

Woburn Rotary Club
Woburn Historical Society
Woburn Redevelopment Authority
Woburn Public Library

A public “Fireside Chat” event was given at the Woburn Public Library as interest continued to increase.

January 12 - Meeting at city hall

January 16, 2026

Hoping to execute a lease with city officials this spring… ‘Save the Wyman’ group makes pitch for new community arts center. The committee presented to the land and infrastructure committee and left a formal presentation for them to read.

https://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/woburn/article_c0ebd4cb-24d8-4fed-8383-3e155f74a5bb.html

Susan Thifault sends a letter to the editor. “Thanks for answering the call to “save the Wyman Castle”

Dear Community of Woburn, Thank you all for the incredible support and commitment that brought us to this point.On January 12, 2026, The committee formally presented its proposal to city officials requesting a long-term lease agreement that would allow the nonprofit to begin fundraising and restoration planning.

City officials acknowledged both the historic importance of the property and the challenges associated with restoring it.

We delivered a plan that included:

Our official nonprofit 501(C) (3) status
An established bank account
A newly added Nonprofit Fundraiser Board Director
Community roadshow presentation list
Community data
Research and data on surrounding communities arts and community centers
Site visits to surrounding communities art and community centers
An outline of a fundraising plan
A clear timeline to begin operations

January 21, 2026

Council wants more specifics about lease - Daily Times article

January 23, 2026

Woburn resident Christina McCabe writes a letter to the editor. “Wyman school's future should serve the Woburn community”

February 2026 -Behind-the-Scenes Work Continues

Throughout February 2026, volunteers continued intensive behind-the-scenes work:

Nonprofit administration
Budget development
Lease research
Capital campaign planning
Community outreach
Request for Proposal research

The movement remained entirely volunteer-driven. Neighbors continued doing the work because they believed the property deserved another chapter.

February 17, 2026

Letters to the editor from Pauline Caruso Foley “Support Wyman Arts Center”

February 27, 2026

Woburn citizens unveil ambitious arts center plan for Wyman School.

https://homenewshere.com/middlesex_east/article_4c3dcd91-e8c6-4350-a6db-4d8369e02c7c.html

March 2026 - A Growing Citywide Movement

The campaign had become a recognized citywide preservation and community development effort.

Key developments included:

Meetings with Representative Richard Haggerty
Citywide flyer campaigns
Expanded online outreach
Launch of a Community Spotlight Series

The committee highlighted successful arts and community centers across Massachusetts, including projects like the Mosesian Center for the Arts, demonstrating how historic preservation could strengthen local culture, economic activity, and civic life.

Kathryn Thifault and Karen Thifault will continue to support at important meetings but the core board members are now

Susan Thifault
Dr. Patricia McCauley
Madelyn Farrell
Catherine Shaughnessy
Erin Merceruio Nelson

April 3, 2025

Committee votes to shirt the Campaign from Save the Wyman Castle to Support an Arts and Community Center.

New yard signs were created and 50 were put up around the city.

April 2026

April 10, 2026

Carolyn Cribbie writes a letter to editor “Another Woburn resident supports proposed castle arts and community center at former Wyman school

April 2026

Our board members attended the April 21 city council meeting. See news article April 23 article

At this meeting a resolve was presented to the city council and they voted to send it to the mayor.

A resolve - the City Council of the City of Woburn requests that the Mayor send an order to the City Council authorizing the Mayor to direct the Purchasing Department to develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the “Disposition of Real Property by Ground Lease” at the property known as the Wyman School, located at 679 Main Street, as recorded by Deeds as recorded in Middlesex Registry of Deeds at Book 2137, Page 591 and Book 2072, Page 269; and That a Preservation Restriction Agreement be included as part of the Request for Proposals (RFP) to ensure that any proposal would be legally bound to preserve the “castle” portion of the structure.

Our non-profit intends to submit a proposal in response to the RFP upon its release, alongside other interested applicants.

April 23, 2026

In a move that could give rise to the ‘arts and community’ center project… Council adopts resolve to seek proposals for Wyman School lease https://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/woburn/article_8a50222f-f042-4982-8029-d0e7f0b00ae8.html

May 2026

Committee members attend town hall meeting with mayor to ask the following questions

Update on RFP process
Mayors thoughts on the arts and community center
Complete ST 2 form
Complete timeline and story
Complete Wyman history of land and building

May 7, 2026

The mayor has a town meeting on Thursday, May 7 at 6:00 pm at city hall.

Please see news article - Mayor request authority to solicit RFP's

May 19, 2026 City Council Meeting - Board members attended

City Council voted in favor of authorizing the mayor to develop a Request for Proposal for disposition of real property for ground lease for the Wyman school property.

What does this mean?

On May 19, the City Council voted to allow the mayor to begin preparing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the future of the historic Wyman School property.

An RFP is a public process where developers or organizations can submit ideas and plans for how the property could be used. The discussion involves a possible ground lease, which means the city would likely keep ownership of the land while leasing it to another party for redevelopment or use.

This vote does not finalize any plans for the property. It begins the process of exploring proposals and future options for the site.

May 26, 2026 City Council Meeting - Board members attended

Please see news article Council Com. backs plan to pursue Wyman lease

Breaking it down:

Authorize Mayor = The Mayor is allowed to move forward with the next step.

Request for Proposal (RFP) = A formal document asking interested parties to submit plans and proposals for the property.

Disposition of Real Property = The city is considering transferring rights to use the property. It does not necessarily mean selling it.

Ground Lease = The city would typically retain ownership of the land while leasing the property to another party for a long period (often decades). The lessee may be allowed to renovate, develop, or operate the site under the lease terms.

Wyman School, 679 Main Street = The specific property being discussed.

The city is beginning a formal process to solicit proposals and explore options for the property's future.