All Roads Lead to Bar Mills
by Meg Gardner
We are bursting with excitement about the first major exhibit that we have mounted in our new building. Our plans project eventually to encompass all of the Buxton/Hollis villages that span the Saco River, the silvery thread that has tied the two communities together throughout at least 5,000 years of history. Where better to begin than with our own “home,” the village that houses our beautiful History Center? The Grand Opening is April 8th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Wander down the timeline and contemplate the rich history of Bar Mills; weigh yourself (if you dare) on Dr. Drummond’s scale from the Buxton-Hollis Hospital; and then treat yourself to some delicious refreshments!
Many of you have seen and appreciated the beautiful restoration/rehabilitation results that have been effected by so many BHHS dedicated volunteers. We have tracked literally thousands of volunteer hours. Honestly, we have amazed ourselves. This tremendous effort, dedication, time commitment, and just plain hard and often dirty physical labor has resulted in a showpiece that celebrates not only our past history but also a spirit of adventure and determination that tackles each obstacle and looks forward to the future. Many, many people contribute to this effort. They provide generous financial support, donations of precious historical objects, hours of labor-intensive attention to the accessioning and other vital clerical tasks, provide outstanding delicious food for all of our programs and our annual meeting, and – let’s face it – some even clean the bathrooms. As a matter of fact, now that the subject of cleaning is on the table, so to speak, our big spring cleaning effort is scheduled for Saturday, March 18 from 9 AM until it is done. Come when you can. We could use your help! This is a very big job: we have a whole lot of building, artifacts, and books to clean and to get ready for the coming season. And, remember, if cleaning and more painting, etc., isn’t really your bailiwick, there are all kinds of other opportunities to fit your abilities and interests.
If you’ve looked at the program list you may have noticed that there is a wealth of activities and programs for 2017. Consider joining either one special project or an ongoing one. We understand that one size doesn’t fit all, but there is so much to do, so little time, and so much fun getting involved with BHHS activities that you will never regret doing so. While we are on this subject, remember that all are welcome to attend our Board meetings, which are scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month, beginning at 6:30 P.M.
BHHS has been blessed with generous financial donations, beginning with the $20,000 grant Narragansett Number One Foundation promised us (for a new boiler and water heater) if we were able to acquire a lease from MSAD #6 for the 100 Main St. building. In spite of extensive costs associated with rehabilitating the building, we have been able to pay our expenses and establish a savings account for needed future capital projects. Although we are still focusing on the main building, we plan eventually to expand and rehabilitate the portable section as well. We are saving up in order to be able to re-roof the main building when the time comes, which isn’t imminent, but which we know will be very expensive.
The “portables” have offered invaluable storage and work space during the renovations. However, area people – and some who have roots here but live elsewhere – have come forward with many beautiful and precious gifts to add to our collection. These range from an extensive collection of vintage clothing to an important collection of Native American tools to wonderful family photograph albums and books. You will have an opportunity to admire many of these fascinating items when you visit the “All Roads Lead to Bar Mills” exhibit. The collections are eclectic and stunning.
Preservation of these artifacts is a responsibility and privilege that the donors have entrusted to BHHS. One of the most vital components of preservation for all of these categories means that they must be protected from a damp environment. The National Register of Historic Places publishes an extensive collection of “Preservation Briefs” that supports this important consideration. The interior walls of all buildings including those of the Bar Mills School encourage insidious “wicking” of basement moisture that rises from wet or damp basements and permeates the floors and air above. Consider that we have a collection of valuable books; manuscripts; antique photographs and irreplaceable artwork; maps; vintage clothing and linens; and many very old family photographic albums, diaries, and scrapbooks in our collection, just one floor up from the damp and moldy basement. Continuing up to the second floor, we have a workroom full of treasures that are accessioned in their acid free boxes and our beautiful exhibit room with all of the Bar Mills treasures awaiting the moisture and its unsavory companions (including unhealthy air) from the basement. Even the third floor attic space cannot escape, in spite of the best efforts of our resident ghost, Will, to maintain and protect the building and its contents. It is obvious that, with our building lease secure, with the immediate renovations nearly completed, and with our collections expanding, we need to pay serious attention to waterproofing the basement. We also need more dry storage, which would be a bonus result of a solid, dry basement space.
For these reasons, the BHHS Board is unanimously committed to beginning a capital campaign in order to correct the problem in a comprehensive, lasting manner. After having researched various methods and their pros and cons, we have decided on a basement remediation system that meets our needs. The system we have targeted will meet all of the caveats we have listed and more, both by its comprehensive approach and its longevity. In order to move forward with the project, which is admittedly an expensive option, we will have to do a substantial amount of preparatory work, using both volunteer assistance and some of our own funds for contractors to complete the first phase. We will also research and write grants for this purpose. Additionally, however, BHHS must rely on targeted fund raising activities and individual donations in order to meet our financial goal. Thank you for your continued support.
We are bursting with excitement about the first major exhibit that we have mounted in our new building. Our plans project eventually to encompass all of the Buxton/Hollis villages that span the Saco River, the silvery thread that has tied the two communities together throughout at least 5,000 years of history. Where better to begin than with our own “home,” the village that houses our beautiful History Center? The Grand Opening is April 8th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Wander down the timeline and contemplate the rich history of Bar Mills; weigh yourself (if you dare) on Dr. Drummond’s scale from the Buxton-Hollis Hospital; and then treat yourself to some delicious refreshments!
Many of you have seen and appreciated the beautiful restoration/rehabilitation results that have been effected by so many BHHS dedicated volunteers. We have tracked literally thousands of volunteer hours. Honestly, we have amazed ourselves. This tremendous effort, dedication, time commitment, and just plain hard and often dirty physical labor has resulted in a showpiece that celebrates not only our past history but also a spirit of adventure and determination that tackles each obstacle and looks forward to the future. Many, many people contribute to this effort. They provide generous financial support, donations of precious historical objects, hours of labor-intensive attention to the accessioning and other vital clerical tasks, provide outstanding delicious food for all of our programs and our annual meeting, and – let’s face it – some even clean the bathrooms. As a matter of fact, now that the subject of cleaning is on the table, so to speak, our big spring cleaning effort is scheduled for Saturday, March 18 from 9 AM until it is done. Come when you can. We could use your help! This is a very big job: we have a whole lot of building, artifacts, and books to clean and to get ready for the coming season. And, remember, if cleaning and more painting, etc., isn’t really your bailiwick, there are all kinds of other opportunities to fit your abilities and interests.
If you’ve looked at the program list you may have noticed that there is a wealth of activities and programs for 2017. Consider joining either one special project or an ongoing one. We understand that one size doesn’t fit all, but there is so much to do, so little time, and so much fun getting involved with BHHS activities that you will never regret doing so. While we are on this subject, remember that all are welcome to attend our Board meetings, which are scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month, beginning at 6:30 P.M.
BHHS has been blessed with generous financial donations, beginning with the $20,000 grant Narragansett Number One Foundation promised us (for a new boiler and water heater) if we were able to acquire a lease from MSAD #6 for the 100 Main St. building. In spite of extensive costs associated with rehabilitating the building, we have been able to pay our expenses and establish a savings account for needed future capital projects. Although we are still focusing on the main building, we plan eventually to expand and rehabilitate the portable section as well. We are saving up in order to be able to re-roof the main building when the time comes, which isn’t imminent, but which we know will be very expensive.
The “portables” have offered invaluable storage and work space during the renovations. However, area people – and some who have roots here but live elsewhere – have come forward with many beautiful and precious gifts to add to our collection. These range from an extensive collection of vintage clothing to an important collection of Native American tools to wonderful family photograph albums and books. You will have an opportunity to admire many of these fascinating items when you visit the “All Roads Lead to Bar Mills” exhibit. The collections are eclectic and stunning.
Preservation of these artifacts is a responsibility and privilege that the donors have entrusted to BHHS. One of the most vital components of preservation for all of these categories means that they must be protected from a damp environment. The National Register of Historic Places publishes an extensive collection of “Preservation Briefs” that supports this important consideration. The interior walls of all buildings including those of the Bar Mills School encourage insidious “wicking” of basement moisture that rises from wet or damp basements and permeates the floors and air above. Consider that we have a collection of valuable books; manuscripts; antique photographs and irreplaceable artwork; maps; vintage clothing and linens; and many very old family photographic albums, diaries, and scrapbooks in our collection, just one floor up from the damp and moldy basement. Continuing up to the second floor, we have a workroom full of treasures that are accessioned in their acid free boxes and our beautiful exhibit room with all of the Bar Mills treasures awaiting the moisture and its unsavory companions (including unhealthy air) from the basement. Even the third floor attic space cannot escape, in spite of the best efforts of our resident ghost, Will, to maintain and protect the building and its contents. It is obvious that, with our building lease secure, with the immediate renovations nearly completed, and with our collections expanding, we need to pay serious attention to waterproofing the basement. We also need more dry storage, which would be a bonus result of a solid, dry basement space.
For these reasons, the BHHS Board is unanimously committed to beginning a capital campaign in order to correct the problem in a comprehensive, lasting manner. After having researched various methods and their pros and cons, we have decided on a basement remediation system that meets our needs. The system we have targeted will meet all of the caveats we have listed and more, both by its comprehensive approach and its longevity. In order to move forward with the project, which is admittedly an expensive option, we will have to do a substantial amount of preparatory work, using both volunteer assistance and some of our own funds for contractors to complete the first phase. We will also research and write grants for this purpose. Additionally, however, BHHS must rely on targeted fund raising activities and individual donations in order to meet our financial goal. Thank you for your continued support.