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A Flurry of Activity at Squires Tavern
If you just happened to take a ride down East River Road in Barkhamsted this fall you would have noticed a flurry of activity at the Squires Tavern, a late 1700s house that was just leased by the Barkhamsted Historical Society from the State’s Department of Environmental Protection. This flurry of activity isn't squirrels scurrying around gathering nuts for the winter; it is masons, carpenters, painters, electricians, excavators, cement trucks, roofing men and volunteers.
Thanks to State Representative Richard Ferrari, State Senator Tom Herlihy and the Squires Tavern Committee, the Barkhamsted Historical Society has received an "Art, Recreation and Culture" grant from the CT Office of Policy Management with the requirement to expend the monies within a year. We all know that it doesn't take long to spend money on a major project, especially if it is used to restore, rehabilitate and renovate a building. But the small town of Barkhamsted knows that this money must be spent wisely, because so much work needs to be done to make this building functional as the headquarters for the Historical Society and to house Barkhamsted's collection of historic items and documents.
Walt Landgraf and Dave Ravasio worked many hours securing bids for the work that must be accomplished. As everyone knows, it is almost impossible to get contractors to respond in a timely manner, to bid, and then to be able to do the work immediately. Fortunately, Walt and Dave thrive on impossible challenges.
For those of you who don't believe in miracles, look at what has occurred in just two short months. If you peek around the back of the Tavern you won't see Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel; but you will see Eugene Allen with his backhoe excavating a trench so a curtain drain and a waterproof retaining wall can be installed by Richies of Torrington. Ed Kostak is hammering away making a new cellar hatchway more in keeping with the date of the Tavern, removing clapboards so as to make repairs to the sills. Ed will be nailing and hammering, repairing and replacing until the end of the year. And with the holiday season almost upon us, Santa will be pleased that he will be able to land on the roof without fear of falling through because Mike Cote and his crew have repaired the roof and installed all new wood shingles.
Up to the rooftop, click, click, click, and down through the chimney comes Old Saint Nick. But which chimney? Mason Bill Parsons worked on the two chimneys and five fireplaces—a minimum of three fireplaces will be functional. SCASCO worked on the heating system and the Tavern is toasty warm. To our delight, Morris Electric inspected the wiring and panels and found no apparent problems.
An architectural wonder, located on the back lawn, is the Squires Bat Hotel built by Byran Waltz and his dad. Dave's Painting will put on the last of the stabilization items in the spring of 2002 with a fresh coat of paint. Last, but definitely not least, is the work performed by the many volunteers who show up every week to work inside. Walls, floors and ceilings that were installed in earlier renovations are systematically being removed. Wide floor boards and a fireplace have been found.
There is still plenty of work to be done. Come join the group—they all whistle while they work! Call 860-379-7362 to find out when the next work day will be.
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