MARCH 2005
At a meeting of concerned citizens who met March of 2005 to discuss the restoration of the Meeting House, it was decided to restore the building as an historic artifact, and not make any modern-day improvements beyond those required by law or reason. An Architecture & Restoration Committee was formed and placed in charge of the actual work. We immediately realized that this extraordinary effort could not be accomplished by volunteers alone. Skilled specialists in the area of historic building restoration were needed.
 MARCH 2006
As a result, our first task was funding a study of the building to understand where repairs were needed and determine the costs. A restoration architect was needed to conduct this study and advise the committee throughout the project, and in March of 2006 a Historic Structure Report was prepared. This report detailed the architectural and building history and provided information on the repairs needed for the Center Meeting House. In addition, James L. Garvin, the state's Architectural Historian wrote an appraisal of the building at this time in which he notes that this building is well worth saving and represents a major artifact of our state. Click HERE to download a PDF of this report.
During this time, it was learned that the Meeting House was in desperate need of a new foundation due to settling: since it made no sense to repair any other part of the building without a solid foundation, this would be the first project as well as the first of a number of structural surprises that we had as we tackled this restoration. Construction documents were then drawn up, and a contractor was located to lift the building and install a new foundation. By November, this project (referred to as Phase 1 in our plan) was complete.
JUNE 2007
We began work on the exterior of the building and the roof structure. The engineer investigated the existing roof structure and the obvious sagging problem. The guiding principle throughout this process was to keep as much of the original structure as possible, and to repair instead of replace. A special emphasis was placed on saving the horizontal 42-foot beams in the roof structure, since they appear to be from the original Meeting House that was built on Bly Hill in 1791.
As is common with renovating any building of substantial age, the biggest unknowns (and most costly problems) are often hidden from easy inspection behind the walls. The only way to determine the price of this effort was to remove the interior plaster and supporting lath. Because the existing plaster was a twentieth-century replacement of the original and of poor quality, the plaster was removed in October, 2007. In addition, the stairs to the attic and belfry were repaired.
Once the plaster was removed, the poor condition of the structure finally became clear. Based on this inspection, several weeks were spent discussing how much of the existing structure could be saved. The condition of the three main trusses was so bad, we reluctantly agreed they needed to be entirely replaced.
Once these decisions were made, a temporary reduction in scope was agreed to (based on funds presently available) and a new contract was signed in February 2008 for a guaranteed maximum price of $537,712. This contract would include replacing the three mid-structure roof trusses along with the south-end supporting posts, replacing the roof deck, installing asphalt shingles, restoring or replacing all windows (except the 1902 lower sash), replacing eight lower sashes with accurate reproductions to match the upper sashes, repairing window trim, removing clapboards on the south side using a lead abatement contractor, installing new radial sawn clapboards on the south side along with the west side gable above the pavilion and the lower tower, and removing the upper tower (belfry) for detailed inspection.
JULY 2008
Replacement of the trusses and the removal of the bell tower provided some entertaining and exciting viewing. We also discovered that much of the older construction and design of the building was highly innovative; even the engineers marveled at what had been accomplished 175 years ago without modern construction equipment. Much of the renovation work has been performed with great attention to detail. For example, the notched purlins (horizontal structures that support the loads from the roof) were dropped into place without a single hammer or nail. This portion of the work was completed in July 2008.
BELL TOWER - 2008
While the crane was available and the workers were there, the board decided to bring the bell tower to the ground where a more complete analysis of its condition could be made. This was decided in spite of the fact that there were no funds available at that time to accomplish any of the work that would be required. It wasn't until later in 2009 that the board was able to decide to proceed with the restoration and replacement of the tower.
2009
We now have a building that is square and level, the roof no longer sags, and the bell tower is up and the bell rings beautifully. The new windows restored the Meeting House to a more accurate eighteenth-century look. The top panes were restored and the bottom panes were renewed as the old 4x3 pane arrangement was not historically correct. Driving past the Center Meeting House from the south, one can now begin to see how the building will look when fully restored, as the clapboards have been renewed, but on this side only.
Much restoration remains before the Center Meeting House returns to its full potential. Plans, specifications and prices are being developed for the remaining work. Next will come replacing clapboards on the front and north side, stripping and painting the east (rear) side so we will still have one side of the building with original materials; repairing, stripping and painting the front trim and doors, repairing/replacing shutters and fans on all sides, upgrading interior electrical facilities and underground service, renewing and painting the lath and plaster inside, restoring the floor in the main auditorium, replacing the floor in the vestibule, cleaning the original paint, and cleaning or replacing carpets and seat cushions. We also plan to modernize to meet requirements to provide handicapped access to the building. We do want everyone to be able to enjoy this treasure of our town.
As Town Administrator Dennis Pavlicek has so aptly observed, “By completing this project, not only are we honoring our past, but we are giving future generations a ‘window from the past’ they will be able to treasure for many generations. Please give generously so that we may all hear the tolling of the bell at our Meeting House once again.”
On Decmber 2, 2009 the bell tower was reset atop the Center Meeting House. In the photo to the right one can see that finishing touches to the tower were continuing at that time. The seam where the new tower intersects with the rest of the structure is being closed and weatherproofed. In the spring, final touch up of the paint will be completed. This is a major step along the way in the complete resoration of this "Jewel in the Crown" of Newbury.
Your assistance and generosity will ensure that we can complete our efforts. Please contact us for information about how you can help!
2010
With 2009 closed with a fully restored Bell Tower, reset high atop the CMH, work began anew with fundraising.
Results to date for 2010 can be summarized as follows:
- The third annual Newsletter which was mailed to members, friends, and all property owners of Newbury brought a response of new and renewed memberships and generous donations. In addition to membership fees, our members have donated an additional $6,600. Thank you members!
- Elevenl new Pew Sponsorships have been received in 2010. We are thrilled that 21 26 of the 42 pews now have proud sponsors and sales efforts are continuing to get them all sold!
- LCHIP awarded the CMH with its second grant, a much-needed $100,000 grant toward getting the building structurally completed
- The people of the Town of Newbury at Town Meeting awarded CMH a $100,000 grant following approval of a warrant article.
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