About 417 S Main St
Historically known as The Sheriff Purnell House, as featured in Architectural Historian, Paul Tourat’s book “ Along the Seaboard Side”. The construction of this beautiful American Four-Square home began in circa 1915. The home, as title, belonged to one of the first Worcester County Sheriff’s and his wife Dorothy Purnell. The house, along with the neighbors of South Main Street, were quite social, and known for their fun and festive soirees. As the story goes, The Harvey P. Pruitt Home, and the storied residence, Waverly were the epicenter of private parties, great music and conversations were known to be the course of many evenings. Again, as the story goes, transportation between the residences was known to be wheel barrels… which later began a tradition on South Main Street, and remains to this day ( !)
Following the passing of the Purnell Family, the 2nd owner’s Dr. & Mrs. Cyril Heinrich purchased the Sheriff Purnell residence. Dr. Heinrich was a veterinarian and treated large animals in the existing barn on the property, which at that time was a classic barn inclusive of a dirt floor. The Heinrich Family sold the residence to the 3rd owners, Sidney & Sherrie Beckstead upon Mrs. Heinrich’s passing in 1993.
Upon purchasing The Sheriff Purnell Residence, Sidney & Sherrie embarked on a quest to lovingly restore each aspect of this turn of the Century historic home, that is elegantly tucked behind a majestic Magnolia tree, and circular driveway in Berlin’s Historic District.
Sherrie & Sidney contracted a respected member of The American Society of Interior Designers ( ASID), Susan Moore, to begin the process of designing a plan to restore the home to its original historic design. A master craftsman was hired to restore the English Fireplace, woodwork moldings, and remove carpet and wallpaper from each room. The custom-made fencing, the Chippendale railing, and countless other custom works were under the direction of Sid & Sherrie, and carried out by the incomparable master craftsman Dennis Smith, who continues to care for and oversee this beautiful residence for Sherrie while she travels for business.
The Beckstead’s photographed the restoration of this home, and they are available to view, and will be gifted to the new owners.
Phase II: Restoration of the Barn- Sid & Sherrie were committed to making this space a beautiful living space with attached brick walkways and patios for their 4-season outdoor/indoor living lifestyle inclusive of many parties celebrating life, love and friends’. The barn design elements included a concrete floor, and added kitchen amenity, a full bathroom with a second story used for office and guest accommodations. Many Sunday Football games, with outdoor fire pits, steaks on the grill, and great friends created the atmosphere that the Beckstead’s embraced while enjoying the Sheriff Purnell House.
Phase III: The Carriage House A desire of Sidney’s, a place to house his sports car, his beloved John Deere tractor, and an art studio, where he sketched and painted not only his beautiful jewelry pieces, however, his masterful oil painting, and pen and ink sketches.
Sherrie & Sid created all of the gardens and planting on the property, inclusive of the tree lined driveway to the back of the house. The Beckstead’s added the driveway, and one of their favorite things was to see the gardens and trees in bloom, the barn, the carriage house and the main residences north side when arriving on that driveway to their home at The Sheriff Purnell House. Sherrie & Sid lovingly restored, treasured and acted as stewards of this historic Berlin property, all the while serving up the best parties on Main Street. 1993- 2025. This beautiful Berlin treasure now awaits it's next loving occupants.
