The Clintonville Historical Society recently decided that if its History House was to be saved, repairs needed to be made now.
Marilyn Berkvam, historical society president, said the project will cost an estimated $25,000 to $35,000. The society has already signed a $12,000 contract for a new concrete foundation for the building.
Ordinary maintenance over the years could not have stopped the deterioration of its foundation, Berkvam said. The concrete around the foundation had to be jack-hammered away to determine the extent of the damage.
Berkvam said the final cost of the project will depend on how many other “surprises” the society encounters.
The oldest part of the History House was moved to its current location on 11th Street about 120 years ago. It was set on a fieldstone foundation. Part of the stone foundation and the beam that rests on it have deteriorated. Load bearing posts are rotting and need to be replaced.
As the repairs are made, the portion of the house that has “sagged” will be slowly raised toward its original position. Other repairs are needed to stop further deterioration. The porch on the west side of the house is dropping and is pulling on the house. Rain is entering the building through the exterior basement door. There are also some safety issues that need attention.
The south and west sides of the building were painted this summer and some repairs around the windows were made before the painting.
The deterioration of the History House started long ago, Berkvam said, but the problems became more obvious over the past few years. The entry door scraped and stuck. The gap under it grew and let the cold in. Some cracks in the plaster appeared.
At some time in the past, she said, an attempt to protect the wood beam was made. Concrete was poured around the outside of the beam. It made sense at the time, but may have made the problem worse by trapping moisture against the foundation.
The roof has been taken care of, exterior painting has been done on an as needed basis, heating was installed, wiring updated and plumbing repairs made.
The society has the funds to pay for the repairs, Berkvam said. Its money is invested and generates some income for operating. A future fund drive, however, is likely so that the investments are not depleted.
The society’s log cabin and the cordwood house are also in need of repairs and restoration.
The Clintonville Community Historical Society held its first annual meeting on May 1, 1975. It didn’t have much money at the time, according to Berkvam, but the members went searching for a building to use as a museum, as well as a site for the log cabin.
The History House, along with the lot it sits upon, was chosen because of location, price and historical significance, Berkvam said. In 1975 it was purchased from the Kuester family for $13,500. The purchase was financed with a succession of loans and fund drives, and became debt free about a decade later.
The log cabin was reconstructed on the site and dedicated as part of the 1976 bicentennial celebration.
The History House was dedicated in 1978 after three years of restoration and furnishing. Since that time the membership of the historical society has grown to more than 180 members.
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