Last spring the Barkhamsted Historical Society was the recipient of a $150,000,
Small Town Economic Assistance Program, or STEAP Grant. The grant is specifically
geared toward capital improvements and expansion. Several projects had been
earmarked for these funds and have either been completed or are well underway. As
was mentioned in the Sept 2008 Quarterly, the floors in the front kitchen have been
re-finished and now look very nice. This fall volunteers Dave Ravsio and
Michael Ream did a wonderful job fabricating an old fashion sliding barn door to
conceal the archival storage unit. Additionally, Dave and Michael worked to prepare
the Tavern for the new landing stoop off of the rear door, which will connect to
a ramp and allow wheelchair access.
The stoop and ramp are part of a much larger project consisting of grading
the yard and construction of a brick walkway. Former First Selectmen and BHS
volunteer Michael Fox has headed up the landscape and walkway project. Michael
has done a great job in planning and coordinating a new brick walkway which encompasses
three sides of Squires Tavern. Mike and other volunteers have spent many hours
planning the layout, choosing the materials and hiring the contractors.
The walkway is designed to direct visitors to the front door, the main entrance,
of the Tavern. While the old walkway did led to the front door, visitors were
more inclined to enter through a side door. The walkway will also run parallel
to the side of the building allowing easy access to the informational
kiosk and ultimately connecting to the ramp at the rear of the building.
In preparation for grading of the yard, local resident Michael O'Connor was hired
to grind several old stumps down. Local excavating contractor Eugene Allen was hired
to do the grading and prepare the walkway paths.
Eugene dug a trench, following the walkway outline, then
filled and compacted the base with processed stone. Local stone mason Michael Hoffnagle
will be laying the brick walkway and is scheduled to begin the final phase of this
project the third week of November.
Other major projects which are underway include the installation of a lightning
protection system by Northeast Lightning Protection, LLC, who are headquartered
in Bloomfield. After
a lighting strike took out all of the electronic, heating, cooling and alarm systems
last year the board decided to protect the building from future strikes and future potential
for damage, including fire.
BHS also hired local painting contractor Jim Parrott to scrap down and paint the
Center School house, the
historic one room school house which was moved from its original
Barkhamsted Center
location to its present location on Route 181. Jim did a nice job and the schoolhouse
looks great with its fresh coat of paint.
BHS has also hired Canton
roofing contractor Greg Erisoty to replace the cedar shake roof on the schoolhouse.
Greg is scheduled to begin work on the schoolhouse roof in late November.
Several other projects are under consideration for next year, including possibly
the construction of a working multi-purpose blacksmith shop and pottery shed.
Also being considered is an interpretive trail through the grounds of Squires Tavern.