Keeping A Roof Over The Historical Society

By Kendra Bobowick

Jostling in the mailbags alongside letters to Santa in coming weeks will be another letter, but the appeal inside this envelope is addressed to residents.

“The Newtown Historical Society needs your help!” the letter begins. Apologizing for its call for assistance at a time of year when holiday shopping receipts accumulate, the note gets to the point: “The Matthew Curtiss House roof needs to be replaced.”

Society President Lincoln Sander said the cedar shingles are not leaking yet, but he does not want to risk any damage to the historic circa 1750 home-turned-museum since the society purchased the property. He estimates that the current roof is between 25 and 30 years old. “That’s about all the wood is good for,” Mr Sander said.

To keep the old saltbox at 44 Main Street historically intact, the society wants to replace the wood shingled roof, which Mr Sander estimates to be $20,000. The problem is the historical society’s bank account. Bottom line? “Not enough money,” Mr Sander said. He hopes for donations to fund a new roof by spring.

Upkeep and maintenance are ongoing. “Old houses are wonderful, but they require extensive upkeep,” Mr Sander said. “They’re made of wood and need to be taken care of.”

The donations would be investments for the museum in town where school tours and history camps step across the threshold and into the past. The small, nonprofit organization is run by a group of volunteers who keep track of the town’s documents and artifacts.

The letter explains, “The Newtown Historical Society works very hard to preserve the town’s past for the benefit of all its current and future residents.”

Outlining the society’s sources of funding the letter continues, “Our work is funded solely by the Society’s fundraisers, occasional grants, donations, and by minimal membership dues. We receive no state or federal funds…the society simply does not have the resources to cover the estimated $20,000.”

In closing the letter asks, “Please consider giving what you can…”

Make tax-deductible donations payable to the Newtown Historical Society and mail them to the Newtown Historical Society, PO Box 189, Newtown CT 06470.