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Stevens-Buswell School

Stevens-Buswell Community Center:  Progress Report—January 2011

 

Since our annual meeting last September, work on the old school building has moved steadily forward. Manchester Roofing submitted the low bid for the roof work, and they replaced the roof in October. The crew from Milestone Engineering and Construction, the company that we selected to manage the construction project, is finishing the copper flashing and replacing rotten clapboards. The low bid for asbestos removal came from Green Environmental, and they completed this work in October as well. We asked them to save the original flooring in the front rooms and halls on the main floor if possible. It appears that this effort was quite successful, and David Baer, our construction manager, believes that we will be able to reuse most of the old floor.

Before moving forward with the renovation work, we took our plans before the Historic District Commission and the Planning Board. Both groups were favorably impressed by our architect, Eric Palson, and our plans. We received approvals of the sign for the entrance and the basement windows that we had selected.

Another major activity was the purchase of an old trailer that could be used to store some vintage light fixtures, a large blackboard, and other items that we wanted to keep for the renovation of the former school. In addition,

Anne and Robert Cruess of TFMoran made a very generous offer of a large quantity of office furniture that could be used in the renovated building. The Bostwick family and friends spearheaded the major effort to move all this furniture to our trailer, and then they packed it securely to prevent any damage when the trailer was moved to the Town Transfer Station.During November and December, the work has continued in spite of the cold weather. Because of the mold damage and the need to remove partitions that were added over the years, we decided to combine mold remediation and demolition work together. North Ridge was selected from three companies to do this work, which will be completed very soon, and we will be well ahead of schedule. This progress will allow us to move forward with the electrical work much sooner than expected.  The basement windows have been ordered, but the ground is frozen so the re-grading will be done in the spring.  Stay tuned!

Joan Shaw Reeves

 

$50,000 grant from Lowe’s and

National Trust for Historic Preservation

 

The Bedford Historical Society recently received a $50,000 grant from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The grant was presented at an event in front of the Stevens-Buswell School at 18 North Amherst Road on December 14, 2010 at 1:00 in the afternoon.

The National Trust and Lowe’s are helping communities breathe new life into former schools. The Stevens-Buswell School is one of ten schools that were chosen nationwide this year to receive a total of nearly $500,000 in grants from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation.

“Historic schools have played a critical role in our nation’s past and, as these projects show, remain cornerstones of their communities even when they no longer serve as schools”, said David J. Brown, executive vice president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “By expanding our commitment to rehabilitating historic schools nationwide, the National Trust and Lowe’s hope to revitalize communities, create jobs and preserve an important part of America’s story.”

“The preservation efforts of the National Trust and Lowe’s will help ensure that these schools long serve as vital community resources,” said Larry D. Stone, chairman of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. “By supporting rehabilitation of these significant landmarks, Lowe's is helping protect and enhance places that continue to enrich lives while preserving a piece of history for future generations.”

The Bedford Historical Society leased the building from the Town of Bedford in September 2010 and began the rehabilitation in October. The roof has been replaced, and soon the basement windows will be replaced, which will make the building weather-tight and allow interior improvements to begin.

All the work on the future Stevens-Buswell Community Center is being accomplished through private donations and grant awards. Contributions are greatly appreciated and may be sent to the Bedford Historical Society at 24 North Amherst Road, Bedford, NH 03110. The Society actively preserves Bedford’s history and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization so donations are tax deductible.

Stevens-Buswell Community Center:  Progress Report—May 2011

 

Now that spring has arrived, the Friends of the SBCC are very busy planning fundraising events, and we are busy preparing for the summer work that needs to be completed in the building. EricPalson has met with us and completed drawings that will allow David Baer to begin the building renovation. David has estimated that it will take about $33,000 to complete the work that should be done before we start the electrical work. Susan and Joan have written several grants for this work and hope that some requests will result in positive responses. Unfortunately, the Hunt Foundation turned down our request for funds for the remainder of the money needed for the heating system.

In addition to applying for grants, Susan and Joan met with Mr. Riley, President of Centrix Bank, who agreed to help us with our SBCC project. He came to see the building and spent time talking with various people about the building and the need for a community center. We have received a check for $2500 from the bank. We made a trip to Lowes as well to request volunteer help in painting the clapboards that replaced the rotten clapboards. We are pleased to report that John Hersey has volunteered to do the grading work at the back of the building in the near future. Shirley Steele bought geraniums and planted them in the urns at the entrance to the building.

News from the Stevens-Buswell Fundraising Committee

The committee has been busy these past few months, developing some great fundraising efforts to supplement the considerable work being done by our grant writers, Susan Tufts-Moore and Joan Shaw Reeves. First and foremost, we are selling beautiful Lucinda house pins and tags. These pins are a New England creation, and each one is unique.   We have them on display at the Town Offices, along with other BHS articles, and we hope, if you haven’t seen them already that you will swing by and have a look. They are proving to be extraordinarily popular – more than half our first consignment sold before we ever got to the Town Office. We plan to have them everywhere the BHS is – the Memorial Day festivities, the Strawberry Festival, the Art Show, the Car Show and the Community Yard Sale in the fall.

Another fundraising effort is the Community Yard Sale to be held Saturday, September 24th, in the parking lot of the Town Offices. Spaces are on sale for $25.00 each and we’re hoping for a great array of vendors with everything from collectibles, treasures and almost-antiques to arts and crafts of all kinds. If you would like a space (or two!) or know someone who might, call Gwen Broder (472-3217) or Ellen Bostwick (472-3411) and remember, it’s first come, first served!

The BHS and the Friends are selling Panera coupons. Books of coupons were purchased to add money to the BHS account and to support the SBCC project. Each coupon is worth $5.00 and can be used to purchase food or drinks at the Panera Restaurant. No change is given back if the bill is less than $5.00. This is an excellent fund raising opportunity for us. Please contact Margaret Wiggin if you would like to purchase coupons. Coupons will be sold at various events.

Another New Fundraiser! Dinner at the Weathervane Restaurant

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