Historical Society prepares for 2007 construction

  PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – With spring here, thoughts of remodeling projects abound – including those of members of the Presque Isle Historical Society who are gearing up for the next round of refurbishing the old fire house located on Church Street.
    “Spring means that work will once again resume on the restoration of the historic fire station at 11 Church Street. Be on the lookout for all the action as exciting changes take place this spring and summer,” said Kimberly Hall, spokesperson for the non-profit organization.
Hall said the society just received a $15,000 grant from the Davis Family Foundation to assist with the cost of the three replicated arched doors which will be installed this spring.
“The original arched doors were of heavy wood with arched windows. The Historical Society has had to have these three doors replicated at the cost of $10,000 per door, or $30,000 for this phase of the restoration alone,” said Hall.
So far, the organization has received one generous donation from an anonymous donor to the tune of $10,000. Added to the $15,000 grant the group recently received, that brings the door project funds to a total of $25,000, just $5,000 shy of the total cost needed to complete the three doors.
“The arched doors are modern replicas of the original doors modified to increase longevity and thermal efficiency. They were constructed of woods indigenous to our area and were built and will be installed by Alden Swanson,” said Hall.
Masonry on the south front side of the building was done last fall and windows were replaced. Work will continue along those lines this year.
“This spring and summer, the society hopes to have the masonry on the remaining three sides of the building completed, the remaining windows replaced and the roof repaired,” said Hall.
According to Hall, the masonry work will be done by STIX Builders, owned by Matt Smith, who currently resides downstate but is a Presque Isle native. Work is expected to begin around April 23, weather permitting, and is expected to take approximately six weeks to complete.
Once completed, the Historical Society hopes the building will serve as a cultural and tourism center promoting all of Aroostook County.
“It will house the vast collections of books, photographs, documents and artifacts owned by the Historical Society; will provide a centralized location for the society’s hands-on historical educational activities and guest lecture series; and will provide a permanent office for the society,” said Hall.
Much work remains to be completed but won’t be possible without continued financial support.
“The overall estimate for the restoration of the entire structure is $1.6 million. We have raised just over $260,000 to date,” said Hall.
To raise the difference needed to finish the work, fund-raisers will be planned on a regular basis, said Hall.
“The fund-raisers we’ve planned include the Pops Concert in October, the barbecue we always do at the Balloon Festival and more,” said Hall, noting renovations will be done in phases as money is raised.
“We hope to have all (renovations) completed by April 2009 in order to use the historic fire station as a cornerstone for Presque Isle’s Sesquicentennial celebration,” said Hall, noting Presque Isle was first incorporated as a town on April 4, 1859.
Hall said the society would at least have the first floor done by then.
“We do the work as the funds are raised so that we remain on a solid financial foundation,” explained Hall.
Remaining work includes electrical, plumbing, sprinklers, roof, interior and structural components. When planning those warm-weather projects, including construction and remodeling jobs, keep in mind the society can use some of your leftovers.
“It is difficult to give you a list of what construction supplies could be donated as first and foremost. The materials would need to be commercial grade and, for the most part, of specific sizes, weights. The only general supplies we can really use would be lumber and sheetrock,” said Hall.
The mission of the Presque Isle Historical Society, which was founded in 1963, is to study, promote and preserve the history, local culture, heritage and physical artifacts of Presque Isle for future generations. The society hopes to have the building completed by April 2009 in time to serve as a cornerstone for Presque Isle’s 150th anniversary celebration.
For more information on the Presque Isle Historical Society, visit www.pihistory.org or e-mail pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com.
“Great things are happening with the Historical Society,” said Carol Bell, society president. “Keep watching for more details as summer approaches.”