Muncie Star Press- Muncie, Indiana. Article published Nov 19, 2006
Montpelier's oldest building getting new use, makeover
By RIC ROUTLEDGE <mailto:ricroutledge@hotmail.com>
MONTPELIER -- "The building has been saved, but there is still more to do." That's the battle cry of Tom McGeath, president of the Montpelier Historic Preservation Association. He refers to the city's oldest structure, a building that has been used for everything from a church to a storehouse for dynamite. According to The History of Montpelier United Methodist Church, edited by Tom Thomas and Steve Gray, the structure was built between 1854 and 1858, "according to whose account one discerns to be accurate" to serve as a church for the Montpelier Mission. At the time the church was built, Montpelier consisted of seven log cabins, one small brick house, six small frame houses and a population of 87, according to the authors. The building, which was originally on the west side of Adams Street between Huntington and High streets, had been scheduled for demolition in 2002 when McGeath, a retired school teacher and former mayor, took an interest in it. "I made the mistake of saying, 'Gee, we should save that old building,' '' he recalls, laughing. "I've lived in the area all of my life, and I never really paid attention to it," he added. "I was never inside until I asked Mike about it one day." Mike Chaney, the owner of the building, donated the structure to McGeath, who in turn donated it to the association in July 2004. Renovation work began immediately. It had to, McGeath said, because the building was in danger of falling down. "We repaired damaged boards with like-era boards," he said. "We repaired windows and then put them back. We put on a new roof and painted the building. We are following the guidelines of the National Historic Register." The improvements were startling. "It's an amazing project. The difference that they've made in the building is night and day," said Wayne Goodman, director of the Eastern regional office of Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. "They have improved the building tenfold. When they took on the project, the building was in a serious state of decay." Goodman said it's been gratifying just to watch the Montpelier group at work. "It's been fun and rewarding being a part of project, and it's great to work such committed people in the community of Montpelier," he added. In March 2005, Goodman's office gave the group a $20,000 low-interest loan to move the building to a new site. For just $1, Blackford County Schools sold the group land on the south side of the public library, next to where the H.G. Morgan Elementary School once stood along Main Street. The group has also received renovation funds from the Blackford Community Foundation and from the Central Indiana Community Foundation. The building, which is 30 feet by 45 feet, is within walking distance of the Montpelier School, and that proximity suits McGeath, who used to teach there. "We want to turn it into a museum," he said. "We think we can get the kids more involved in history, especially Montpelier and state history. Most of us are retired teachers, and we know the fourth grade studies Indiana history." The preservation group has amassed an extensive collection of historic items with no place to display it. Most of their artifacts are in a storage unit. "We want to create rotating displays to recognize various groups like our fire and police departments, the alumni association, veterans, local athletes and others," McGeath said. "We don't want a museum where if you visit it in January you will see the same things in August." The building is being used for some displays and events now. So what is left to do? Well, a heating and cooling system would be nice to make it a year-round facility and to protect artifacts. And the group would love to add on a room for office space. The structure still needs drywall and a front entrance. All of that, according to estimates, would cost about $30,000. The work will get done. These are determined people. But a grant would allow them to get it done much faster. Raising funds through bake sales and chances for quilts made by local people is a slow process. But McGeath is seeing growing interest in the museum. "People come and just look at the building," he said. "Then they will come in and look at the displays. And people are contributing now, which means others believe we are going to get it done." |
