Meetings Schedules and Progress

Held March 21 on-site

In attendance:

Roy Harrington, Larry Harrington, Kay Kottas, Floyd Zabel, Charlie Runtie, Jessie Harrington, Charlie Zabel, Fred Zabel, Dan Zabel, Randy Prior, John Carlson

Possibilities for funding include grants.  Several were found from internet sources, others were suggested by Randy Prior, Saline Co. Extension Educator.  Kay reported Nebraska Community Foundation may have an interest, but we would need to have the building in a non-profit status for them to help.  That would mean donate land/building to a public entity such as community, county or non-profit agency  OR donate an easement to an entity such as USDA through Farmland Protection Program (FPP)  OR  apply for 501c3 status.  The Community Foundation would provide services to help train individuals to raise funds, take care of all accounting and auditing work, provide these services for short term repair funds and/or long-term endowment funds for upkeep.  Kay brought information about the FPP, but we would need to apply for this by April 5.  Randy Prior will check into the specifics of this program and send information to Kay.  Kay noted that there have only been 2 easements under the FPP in all of Nebraska .  Randy noted that there are none which preserve history structures, though this is allowed.

There are many items within the house that would need to be moved to the barn.  Floyd needs a new roof on the barn first.

Larry described possibilities for preservation which include moving the building closer to the road or closer to Hwy 15 so that visitors would not disturb the residence at the farm.

He indicated that the only way to preserve this building would be to put a larger building around it.  John Carlson and others agreed.  Larry suggests moving the building, putting up another building around it, then restoring the building slowly in sections as funding becomes available, leaving sections unfinished and covered with Plexiglas for educational purposes. 

There was some discussion about moving the building or leaving it where it is.  The State Historical Society suggests we leave it as close to its original location as possible because of the additional historical value.  In addition, there is some doubt about whether the condition of the building will allow it to be moved.  Some had doubts about the value of restoring the building at all.

Potential locations include closer to the entrance to the farm, along Highway 15 or into town in Western, potentially behind the old lumber store.

General consensus was that we would need to

1)      first determine whether the building could be moved.  This will be determined by the house mover who has agreed to give us an estimate based on some potential locations.

If it cannot be moved, we would need to revisit the issue to see how we would want to preserve it in its current location.  In either case, we might proceed by:

1)  Determine the cost involved in repairs by consulting with David Murphy of the State Historical Society

2)      Create a strategic plan

3)      Gather materials to help promote the restoration

Current steps to be taken

Larry and Floyd :  Follow up with mover.

Larry:  Follow up with contacts from SE community College

Roy and Joyce:  Scan articles and photographs and certificates pertaining to the house

Randy Prior:  Follow up on FPP

Kay Kottas:   Follow up with NE Community Foundation and look into grants

Follow up with Architectural preservation consultant at UNL, send meeting notes to interested individuals

Jessie Harrington:  Find article in Beatrice paper regarding a Community enhancement grant for Fairbury

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