Safeguarding History: Enhancing the Historic Firehouse in Hardwick, Vermont
The Historic Firehouse in Hardwick, Vermont, has witnessed countless moments of our town's history, serving as a reminder of our shared past and as a cornerstone of our identity. Since the early 2000’s it has been the home of the Grassroots Arts and Community Effort (GRACE), now owned and operated by Rural Arts Collaborative. The Firehouse is home to a collection of art, a community printmaking studio, community group meetings, Karate and Jiu Jitsu classes, and much more. However, as with any historic building, the Firehouse faces challenges that threaten its integrity and longevity. One of the most pressing issues has been persistent water damage, endangering both the structure and its contents.
Thanks to the generous funding from the Vermont Community Foundation, the Preservation Trust of Vermont, and generous private donors and tireless volunteers, we are thrilled to announce that the basement and exterior drainage issues have been resolved this spring!
Understanding the Challenge
The Historic Firehouse has long struggled with water infiltration. Over time, rainwater and groundwater have seeped into the basement, leading to damp conditions that promote mold growth, compromise structural materials, and degrade the building's foundation. Following the July floods in 2023, the interior air quality was compromised, and programming inside the building was limited. Without exterior drainage, water pooled around the building with nearly every rainfall, pouring into the basement and exacerbating the problem.
The Solution: Basement and Exterior Drainage
William Chidsey and Jack Daily laid out a mitigation plan that utilizes sump pumps inside the basement, a vapor barrier and clean stone, and outside french drains using perforated underground pipes to collect and redirect water away from the foundation. Thanks to the support of the Vermont Community Foundation following the flooding last year, and to the Preservation Trust of Vermont granting a large Historic Preservation grant to be used over several years, these projects did not require additional funding from our donor base.
The exterior pooling during rainstorms is all but eliminated with the installation of the french drains.
A Community Effort
This project is more than just a technical upgrade; it's a community effort to preserve our heritage. Many thanks to the volunteers who helped clean the basement after the 2023 flooding, hauled away trailer and truck loads of wet materials, donated the use of fans and dehumidifiers, and donated their time to pick up materials in Derby and beyond for the drainage construction. The time and energy gifted from these generous community members is a demonstration of the power of community and the value our state places on the arts, as well as a commitment to protecting Vermont's historical treasures.
Long-Term Benefits
The benefits of these improvements extend far beyond the immediate issue of water damage. By ensuring the Firehouse remains dry and structurally sound, we protect the building's historical character. Firehouse will continue to serve as a venue for community events, educational programs, and a beacon of Hardwick's historical charm.
After the old flooded silt was removed, drain trenches are dug and a system of drain pipes running to sump-pump collection wells were installed. The old water-damaged support posts were replaced with new concrete footings and new posts. Some of the original posts that were not badly damaged were not removed, and kept for historical purposes.
The interior drains were then covered with a vapor barrier and clean crushed stone, transforming the basement to a dry and usable area.
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For more information on how you can get involved or to make a donation, please visit our website or contact our office.
Before the drainage work, water pooled around the building so badly that in a heavy rainstorm it would create a river through the backyard and waterfalls into the basement.
Trenches were dug and drainpipes installed under crashed gravel to pipe water away from the basement.
The backyard, with a view of the Lamoille River, has a new future for programming and gatherings.
A view of the backyard, after exterior drains and erosion barriers are installed.
Jack Dailey of Dailey Land Maintenance and Bill Chidsey of Solar Harvester worked tirelessly for several weeks. Thank you for all your hard work!