The sound of tap, tap, tap was heard last week in Farmington Village as the historic Stanley-Whitman House museum got a new, yet historically-correct, cedar-shake roof.
The house, which will celebrate its 290th birthday next year, was the first in Connecticut on the National Register of Historic Places. Consequently, the materials used for the roof replacement and its construction was done in a historically-correct way to maintain and preserve the house’s integrity.
Construction was expected to begin next fall as fundraising for the roof had only recently begun. But Sanford & Hawley, a Unionville building-supplies company, stepped up and donated materials. And then Ace Roofing of Indian Orchard, Mass., which has worked on other historic buildings in Connecticut and Massachusetts, agreed to reduce the cost if they could begin the project immediately.
“We expected to begin next fall as we weren’t sure how well we’d do with raising the needed funds in this economy,” said house and museum director, Lisa Johnson. “We’re thrilled to have it done now, especially with winter coming.”
The roof was completed on September 18, but the fundraising continues as the campaign also includes a Historic Preservation Fund to support future restoration and maintainance needs.
Stanley-Whitman House, circa 1720 and located in the historic village of Farmington, is a living history center. It runs educational programs for Farmington and area schools districts and hosts community programs throughout the year.
Visitors immerse themselves in history by doing, acting, questioning and engaging in Colonial life through programs, events, classes, exhibits and lectures. They learn about the ideas that formed the foundation of that culture, and the history and dynamic of early Farmington are brought to life.
Two of the public service areas of the museum--a bright, modern classroom and a period Tavern Room--are modern and bright and for a small fee are available to host meetings and gatherings. Surrounding the house are period raised-bed gardens, an apple orchard, and heritage trees and stone walls.
The house and museum, at 37 High Street, Farmington, also manages Memento Mori, Farmington’s ancient cemetery on Main Street, and the Village Green at the intersection of Rtes. 4 and 10. Each are owned and supported by the Farmington Village Green and Library Association (http://www.the-FVGLA.org), which also owns and manages the Farmington and Barney Libraries.
Donations to the SWH Historic Restoration Fund can be sent to: Stanley-Whitman House, 37 High St, Farmington, CT 06032. Online at http://www.Stanley-Whitman.org.
The house, which will celebrate its 290th birthday next year, was the first in Connecticut on the National Register of Historic Places. Consequently, the materials used for the roof replacement and its construction was done in a historically-correct way to maintain and preserve the house’s integrity.
Construction was expected to begin next fall as fundraising for the roof had only recently begun. But Sanford & Hawley, a Unionville building-supplies company, stepped up and donated materials. And then Ace Roofing of Indian Orchard, Mass., which has worked on other historic buildings in Connecticut and Massachusetts, agreed to reduce the cost if they could begin the project immediately.
“We expected to begin next fall as we weren’t sure how well we’d do with raising the needed funds in this economy,” said house and museum director, Lisa Johnson. “We’re thrilled to have it done now, especially with winter coming.”
The roof was completed on September 18, but the fundraising continues as the campaign also includes a Historic Preservation Fund to support future restoration and maintainance needs.
Stanley-Whitman House, circa 1720 and located in the historic village of Farmington, is a living history center. It runs educational programs for Farmington and area schools districts and hosts community programs throughout the year.
Visitors immerse themselves in history by doing, acting, questioning and engaging in Colonial life through programs, events, classes, exhibits and lectures. They learn about the ideas that formed the foundation of that culture, and the history and dynamic of early Farmington are brought to life.
Two of the public service areas of the museum--a bright, modern classroom and a period Tavern Room--are modern and bright and for a small fee are available to host meetings and gatherings. Surrounding the house are period raised-bed gardens, an apple orchard, and heritage trees and stone walls.
The house and museum, at 37 High Street, Farmington, also manages Memento Mori, Farmington’s ancient cemetery on Main Street, and the Village Green at the intersection of Rtes. 4 and 10. Each are owned and supported by the Farmington Village Green and Library Association (http://www.the-FVGLA.org), which also owns and manages the Farmington and Barney Libraries.
Donations to the SWH Historic Restoration Fund can be sent to: Stanley-Whitman House, 37 High St, Farmington, CT 06032. Online at http://www.Stanley-Whitman.org.
