Grand Opening a Success

Despite hot, humid, and stormy weather, the Grand Opening of the Fort Plain Free Library’s newly repaired/restored/and renovated quarters held on Sunday, June 8, was an unqualified success. Those in attendance viewed the first of many displays of Clinton Liberal Institute artifacts and memorabilia prepared by board member Eileen Chambers. Quite a few confessed that they had no idea that this co-ed preparatory military boarding school attended by the likes of Simon Lake, inventor of the submarine, had been located in Fort Plain at the end of the 19th century. In addition, they were able to view a Power Point presentation featuring some of the many photographs and postcards donated to the library by local historian Myron Saltsman. The images depicted the Old Erie Canal in Fort Plain and provided a wealth of easily understood information about the engineering marvel that made the village a prosperous commercial and transportation hub.
Visitors also commented on the new herb and perennial garden in keeping with the period of the house designed and planted by Sherri Byrne, owner of The Herb Cupboard. The garden will grow and change over the years adding to the attractiveness of the exterior. Also unveiled was a large landscape painted by local artist Joanne Resch that graces the Willett Street entrance to the building and welcomes residents and visitors alike to the facility and the community. The painting depicts the Mohawk River, Abeel’s Island, a packet boat traveling the Canal, and emphasizes the natural beauty of the area. Finally, all enjoyed a lovely assortment of snacks and refreshments prepared by library patron Donna Ahrens. For those who missed the Grand Opening, feel free to stop in during regular library hours for a tour of the facility. For pictures of the event, please go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseone.

GRAND OPENING

The Fort Plain Free Library will host a Grand Opening to celebrate the completion of its repair/renovation/and restoration project on Sunday, June 8, from 1:00 - 4:00. Construction on the project began in September, 2007, and work included the repair and restoration of the front porch, the addition of a handicapped ramp at that entrance, upgrading of the lights and windows resulting in a reduction in energy costs, repair and restoration of the interiors of the two former front parlors, and the installation of secure, custom display shelving. The first of many displays of Clinton Liberal Institute artifacts and memorabilia has been prepared by board member Eileen Chambers. The custom display shelving added as a central part of the project allows the library, for the first time, the opportunity to share this remarkable collection with the public on a continual basis.
Sherri Byrne, owner of The Herb Cupboard, has planned and planted an herb and perennial garden in keeping with the period of the house. The garden will grow and change over the years adding to the attractiveness of the exterior. Local artist Joanne Resch was commissioned to paint a large landscape that graces the Willett Street entrance to the building and welcomes residents and visitors alike to the facility and the community.
Funds for the project were provided, in part, by the New York State Canal Corporation, the New York State Library through the Public Library Construction Grant program, Senator Hugh Farley, the Yerdon Foundation, the Arkell Foundation, the family of Bob and Ruth Moyer, family and friends of Evelyn Cranker, American Legion Post #554, McFee Memorials, Midvale Veterinary Clinic, the Shults Agency,
Canajoharie - Fort Plain Elks, Loyal Order of the Moose, and Loren Prime.

Nearing Completion....

Staff and volunteers have spent the past several weeks rearranging fixtures and furniture and reshelving our non-fiction and reference collections. It is wonderful to have these materials back and available for loan to the public. A collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the Clinton Liberal Institute has been artfully arranged on the new custom display shelving and is available for viewing. A small amount of detail work on the now lovely front porch and the restored fireplace in the Welcome Center remains. In addition, a landscaping project will begin shortly now that the weather has improved. For recent photos, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseone/ or stop in at the library during regular library hours.

Well Worth the Wait

Recent work on our ongoing renovation/restoration project has centered on the installation of the custom display units that will house the library's Clinton Liberal Institute and local history collections. Repair and restoration of the fluted columns that have traditionally graced the front porch is also complete and the pillars were put into place earlier this week. In addition, the bookshelves have been returned from storage and the non-fiction collection will be reshelved when detail work is complete in the project area. For photos of this exciting aspect of the project, please go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseone/.

Looking Good!

Progress continues inside the library as doors into the non-fiction area and Visitor's Center are in place, new carpeting has been installed, and the tiling in the entranceway is complete. The removal of the stairway and wall at the beginning of the entranceway has opened up the area considerably. Work within the next weeks will focus on new lighting for the media center, the completion of the front porch with the addition of the rebuilt pillars and refurbished railings, and the return of our non-fiction collection and fixtures. For new photos, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseone/ with particular attention to images 8 and 10 - 14.

Progress!

Progress is noticeable these last two weeks as the siding is completely installed and painted and new windows are in place. The interior walls are finished for the most part, primed, and the actual painting of both the walls and the molding has begun. Three of the four entrances into the area have been reconfigured with the two into the Visitor's Center becoming windows and the one into the non-fiction room remaining an entrance but reconfigured to match its counterparts. The tile in the bathroom as well as the fixtures have been replaced. Next week, work will begin on the columns on the front porch and continue in the bathroom and entrance way. For the latest photos, visit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseone/sets/72157603278099305/.

Putting It Up Instead of Taking It Down

Work on the library's repair and restoration project has entered a new phase as crews swiftly apply the new siding. New concrete piers are in place and framing for the front porch and the handicapped ramp has begun. Inside, application of gypsum board over the existing plaster walls continues. Electricians have rewired to accommodate new recessed lighting, the addition of a closed circuit television system, and the switchover of much of the outside wiring to underground conduits. During the next few weeks, work will center on modifications to the present bathroom, installation of the more energy efficient windows, and further work to the front porch. For photos of the building with its new siding in place, please visit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phaseone/sets/72157602849990824/.