The entire first floor of the wing that now houses the Museum Shop – the so-called “ell” housed the kitchen and service area in the days when the building was a private residence – has recently been repaired and repainted, thanks to a grant from the Thomas A. Rodgers Jr. Family Foundation.
A leak in the roof a few years ago caused a section of plaster ceiling to sag from the lathe, and several areas of stucco on the walls and ceilings in various rooms to peel and flake – frankly, it looked like hell – but little could be done about it due to the lack of funds to cover the repairs, which were generally cosmetic; there was also a sizeable area of wall and ceiling damaged in a second floor room. The top priority was to replace the roof, an expensive undertaking that was accomplished in 2016.
But the shop was looking a bit shabby, if truth be told, and I was anxious to see it repaired, especially since it is the first area seen by visitors to the FRHS.
Best face forward, you know.
In early May the sagging ceiling was buckled up, the damaged stucco replaced and blended in so that the new is hardly distinguishable, and painters applied a fresh coat to the walls and ceilings on the entire first floor; damaged areas were repainted on the second level.
Problem solved and much more welcoming.
Many sincere thanks to the Rogers Family Foundation for making this work possible – very much appreciated!
