Groveland volunteers work to restore historic building

By Sara Codair
Correspondent

September 11, 2008 02:26 am

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GROVELAND — For many years, Washington Hall has been sitting empty and unused.

Now its most common visitors are carpenters and painters hired by the Groveland Historical Society to renovate it. When the work is done, it will hold both a museum and a small theater.

Built in 1874 by Ezekiel James Madison Hale, Washington Hall was a community center for the people who worked in Groveland's mills, said Claire Walsh of the Historical Society.

According to the Web site of St. James Episcopal Church, Hale was the main owner of Groveland's three mills.

Washington Hall changed hands a couple times before the town took ownership.

"Mr. Veasey ended up owning the mills and Washington Hall," said Walsh. "When he passed away in the late 1920s, his family tried to sell them but couldn't because of the Depression. Eventually they donated the hall to the town and tore down the mills."

Now, the town's Historical Society is renovating its second most historic building with money it received through the Community Preservation Act.

"The first floor will be a museum," Walsh said. "The second floor is a big open room with a stage and a 30-foot ceiling, so we want to open that up to events and performances."

Walsh said it will be four or five years before the hall is open to the public.

So far, a new roof has been put on, the trim has been replaced and the north side of the foundation has been repaired, she said.

"We also had to remove some of the surrounding trees because animals were jumping from them to the roof and getting inside the building," she said.

G.S. Painting power-washed the building late last week and plans to start painting this week.

The building is also being insulated and its original window sashes are being refurbished, Walsh said.

It also needs to be rewired, and the most efficient way to heat it needs to be determined and installed.

Once that is complete, work can begin on the interior.

"It's slow going, but we didn't expect it to go fast. Everyone is a volunteer so it can be hard to coordinate things." Walsh said. "If we get done everything we are planning this year, we'll be in a good place."