Fundraising
Effort to Repair Meeting House Bell Tower
The Chesterville Center Union Meeting House has been
in need of bell-tower repairs for some time. The queen-post truss that
supports the tower has settled, the supports under the bell are
weathered beyond repair, both tiers of the tower require new roofing
and painting, and the bell itself is in need of maintenance to become
operational again.
With assistance from Maine Preservation and the Maine
Community Foundation’s Maine Steeples Project, an assessment and
engineering report were prepared in 2017 and a local contractor has
provided a proposal to perform the required work on the tower. Three
generous grants have been obtained for the tower repairs including
$19,800 from the Maine Steeples Project, $10,000 from the Davis Family
Foundation, and $8,000 from the Narragansett Number One Foundation. The
Franklin County Fiddlers performed a benefit concert and Tim Sample did
a benefit performance. These two events raised an additional $1,843.
A community fund raising appeal letter was sent out
to all Chesterville residents. We are very grateful for the $1,972 that
was raised through our neighbors.
The Meeting House has reached out before, and
donations and grants together with a large volunteer effort have
enabled some major improvements in recent years. The main floor has
been re-shored, a dressing room and privy have been added along with an
A.D.A. compliant ramp, a handicapped parking area, and two air-source
heat pumps. Successful fundraising and donations also allowed for some
important weatherization and moisture control measures.
The bell-tower restoration will be the next milestone
in making sure the Meeting House remains a landmark in Chesterville for
another century. below. Work on the steeple will begin on September 16,
2019 and be completed by the end of October. Thanks for being a part of
this important project.
Chesterville
Center Union Meeting House
c/o Carolyn Drugge, Chairperson
72 Dutch Gap Road,
Chesterville, Maine 04938
Tel: 207 778-3767
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