A California man has donated $100,000 to the town’s Heritage Commission for the renovation of the Town Hall.
Drew Houston of San Francisco made the donation in memory of his grandparents, Elizabeth M. and W. Rogers Hamel. The Hamels lived in Francestown for more than 50 years. Houston said he has many fond memories of summers in Francestown when he visited his grandparents at their farm on Bible Hill and his parents at their cottage on Pleasant Pond. Houston still comes back to Francestown to spend some time on the pond in the summer, said Michele Ferencsik, who is chair of the town’s Heritage Commission and also Houston’s aunt.
“Drew and his family have long-term ties to the community, his grandparents, mother and father and his aunt are all connected to Francestown,” said Brad Howell, ex-officio for the Heritage Commission.
Half of Houston’s gift is unrestricted and secured. The remaining $50,000 is a matching grant, which will be made available if the Commission can raise an additional $50,000 as a match.
Ferencsik said the entire commission was “over the moon” after learning about the contribution.
Howell said they’re getting close to the end goal of raising money for restoration efforts, although it still has work to do. The group is looking to raise about $1 million and has been moving closer to that number through community based fundraising events, applying for grants, and town donations. Townspeople previously approved a $350,000 bond issue for the project and this year it will ask voters to approve an additional $125,000 warrant article to be put toward the project.
“We’re moving in the right direction, but we’re not quite there yet,” Howell said.
He said the commission hopes to raise the remaining balance by the spring, at which time they would like to begin restoring the building. Construction is projected to take roughly 22 weeks to complete.
The town common, including the town hall and former academy building, the old academy dormitory building and town horse sheds, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in May. The Town Hall/Academy is a symbol by which the town is most identified.
“When the renovation is complete, the iconic Town Hall/Academy will again be used as a multigenerational center for civic, educational and social activities,” said Ferencsik. “The preservation of this Greek Revival ‘peoples’ house’ is a testimony to our residents, past and present, who value and respect our heritage and want to preserve it for future generations.”