Preservation Achievement Awards 2024: Three Models of Stewardship
Three examples of robust stewardship over time of community assets and gathering places were recognized in the Preservation Alliance’s recent awards announcement. While preservation can be about big rescues and revivals, it’s also about showing up, good planning, and stewardship or care over time. Here’s more about the South Eaton White Meeting House Association, Tilton School, and the Longyear Museum, their work and their incredible commitment to special places.
South Eaton White Meetinghouse Assoc.: For the stewardship of their 1844 landmark
Partners:
Fox & Sons
Hill Excavation
Frog Rock Woodwork
H.R. Hoyt Construction
Conway Electric
Jay Hounsell, Mason
Gurney Land Care and Excavation
Thomas Costello, Fine Carpentry
Maine Mountain Post & Beam
South Eaton White Meeting House Parish Association’s National Register-listed 1844 landmark is stewarded by volunteers whose goals include preservation and making the 1844 building and surroundings a special part of their community.
Recently, the group addressed longstanding drainage issues by lifting the building off its shallow foundation, excavated and installed a new foundation, then placed it back down “like a baby in a cradle.” Rotten joists, windows, and plaster were repaired, perimeter drains installed, and the site regraded. After this project, the building still lacked restroom facilities, though it does have electricity.
A year later, staining on the new plaster indicated a leaking roof. Although it was more than they’d bargained for, the little community stepped up again to replace the roofing and sheathing.
Another collaborative effort began with a custom-designed and donated timber frame which volunteers sheathed and roofed in 2019 to provide much needed storage. The group also recycled an old outhouse from another property and acquired 16 acres across the road that surrounds the church cemetery which they also care for. Truly outstanding dedication and stewardship!
“We are proud to represent our members, community supporters and contractors who made this project possible. This project was key to ensuring the structural integrity of the Meeting House and will allow it to be used for generations to come. The completion of this work inspired members and the community to continue projects such as replacement of the roof, the completion of a post and beam storage shed, the installation of a locally sourced historic outhouse and maintenance of the 19th century cemetery.”
Tilton School: For the stewardship of the Charles E. Tilton Mansion, a centerpiece of their campus
Partners:
Milestone Construction, LLC
Samyn D'Elia Architects
Unlocking History
Trexler Engineering
Evergreen Architectural Arts
Land and Community Heritage Investment Program
Tilton School’s multi-million dollar restoration and stewardship of the Charles E. Tilton Mansion, built in 1861 and listed to the National Register in 1982, has revived a grand building and given it new purpose as a center for the arts, entrepreneurship, and hospitality, as well as service to the community. This past winter the restored mansion was completed and welcomed new users.
The project began in 2019 with a historic building assessment funded by LCHIP to document the history, evolution, and structural condition of the building. This context was used to identify character-defining features of the structure and develop a plan for the building’s continued use.
In 2020 work began with the roof and the exterior woodwork and porches. Restoration of the interior finishes, including the elaborate ceilings, followed. Fire protection was installed to ensure life safety and to protect a priceless building for future generations to come.
Now, advancement staff of Tilton School have offices here, along with an art gallery, classrooms, and visitor accommodations. Community uses include a partnership with the Tilton Historical Society which holds meetings in the mansion, occupies third-floor office space, and helps coordinate historical tours and events.
“Since Kreg began his architecture career working for John G. Waite Associates, one of the leading historic preservation architecture firms in America, he has had a long interest in preserving landmark buildings. While this project began with personal goals—teaching our teenage son carpentry skills during the Covid shutdown—we’re thrilled that it has had community-wide interest. It’s been a real honor to restore a building with the support of locals who stop to tell us stories about how they went to school here or attended community events.”
Longyear Museum: For stewardship of three Mary Baker Eddy Properties in New Hampshire
Founded in 1923, Longyear Museum is dedicated to advancing the understanding of the life and work of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer, Founder, and Leader of Christian Science. The Preservation Alliance’s 2024 award honors Longyear’s restoration and stewardship of three New Hampshire houses that represent distinct periods in Mrs. Eddy’s life. The buildings also demonstrate the evolution of the historic preservation movement and serve as models for heritage organizations’ stewardship.
Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910) was born on a farm in Bow and moved to Tilton with her family as a young teen. She struggled with illness, sorrow, and loss for many years, seeking spiritual solutions and comfort in her study of the Bible. In 1866, a transformative healing led to her discovery of Christian Science. She devoted the rest of her life to articulating and sharing her discovery and founding a worldwide religion.
Within a few years after Mrs. Eddy’s passing, philanthropist Mary Beecher Longyear (1851–1931) began preserving the historical record of Mrs. Eddy’s life. She traveled back roads throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts, collecting houses, artifacts, documents, and reminiscences from people who knew Mrs. Eddy.
Mrs. Longyear purchased the four-room cottage in North Groton in 1920, had it moved back to its original location by horse and sledge, and restored it. The house opened for tours in the late 1920s. Over the years it has been restored several times, the most recent exterior restoration being in 2002.
Mrs. Longyear also purchased the Rumney house in 1920, and it opened a few years later. Between 2005 and 2008, both the exterior and the interior of the house were restored according to updated historical research.
In 1985, the stately Concord Greek Revival at the corner of North State and Court Streets was donated to Longyear Museum. Extensive restoration work in 2007–2008 resulted in a return to its vibrant original colors, a new slate roof, and repaired cornices and columns.
Mrs. Longyear’s early contributions to the preservation movement and Longyear Museum’s 100-year history of preserving and interpreting historic properties to a high standard are noteworthy aspects of this award.
“The goal for any Longyear restoration is to give a correct impression of what life would have been like and looked like when Mary Baker Eddy lived in her homes, which were meticulously kept. We want the spaces to feel lived in, like the occupants may have just stepped out and will be right back. Each of Longyear’s historic houses serves as an instrument to tell a story—through its structure, style, contents, artifacts. Together, the insights these provide into the history of Mrs. Eddy and Christian Science are greater than the house itself. On a personal note: One Longyear Museum visitor described our restoration work as “an act of faith,” which is what the process represents to me. With every project, I learn more about myself—and about different aspects of historic restoration and reinterpretation. The end results are always a team effort.”
Learn more about this year’s Award winners here. If you have a re-use profile to share, let us know!