Climbing down from a ladder propped against the Matthew Curtiss House last week, John Bernabe considered his work. He and his crew with John’s Painting out of Danbury spent time recently making improvements to two landmarks under the Newtown Historical Society’s protective care: the Middle Gate Little Red Schoolhouse and the Matthew Curtiss House.

Wednesday, October 29, Mr Bernabe pointed out the white-trimmed windows on the Matthew Curtiss House set in their red frames, noting the repairs he made. The whole saltbox would be washed and coated by Saturday, weather permitting, he estimated. Soon the circa 1750 house will be a fresh Cottage Red, with refinished white-trimmed windows, siding and porch repairs. Already painted and with its siding and roof replaced by Wednesday, among other repairs, the Middle Gate single room school-house is also now looking better.

Newtown Historical Society Co-President Amy Fallas-Kerr said, “We are working to maintain the historical society’s assets, the biggest of which are the buildings.”

In a recent e-mail, she said, “The Newtown Historical Society is passionate about preserving our cultural commonwealth.” Historical Society members “are dedicated to the discovery, preservation, and interpretation of the artifacts, stories, and documents that illustrate the evolution of Newtown into the vibrant community it has become today. Our primary responsibility to cultural stewardship are our largest artifacts — the Matthew Curtiss House Museum and the Little Red Schoolhouse.”

She continued, “We are thrilled to be moving forward in our preservation efforts to both of these structures that are central to our community outreach and educational programs.”

Mentioning the contractor, John’s Painting, Ms Fallas-Kerr said they have done “a marvelous job on the house for a nonprofit rate.” They gave the historical society a “fantastic nonprofit quote.” Ms Fallas-Kerr said. She also offered much thanks to Mark Edwards of Mark Edwards Roofing & Siding LLC who donated the roofing for the Little Red Schoolhouse.

“Without the support, work, and generosity of these contractors, the maintenance of these historical resources would not be possible,” she said.

This week as Mr Bernabe worked with his crew, Kleber Sontes stood on the old field stone stoop, sanding areas on the front door. The ongoing work has been visible to many, including Town Historian Dan Cruson, who works out of an office across from the Matthew Curtiss House at the Edmond Town Hall. He said the repair work was “needed badly.” The Matthew Curtiss House is often opened for tours, children’s camps, and seasonal open houses, while the one room schoolhouse is frequently used for programs and open houses, he said.

He is “ecstatic to get the house back to decent, watertight shape.”

As of this week, repairs should be complete.

According to Ms Fallas-Kerr, the Little Red Schoolhouse was in “desperate need of maintenance.” Its shutters had “fallen off,” she said, and the wood from the threshold was coming apart, the paint was peeling, and it needed a new roof.

The structure now has a new roof, clapboards, and a fresh coat of paint. The Matthew Curtiss House now has reglazed windows, secured clapboards, and exterior paintwork.

The Newtown Historical Society funded both projects with the help of contractors contributions and work rates, but the repairs are costly for a small all-volunteer nonprofit organization, she said. Help preserve Newtown’s history by donating online at newtownhistory.org/about.shtml or by sending a check to Newtown Historical Society, PO Box 189, Newtown CT 06470.