​​HELP RAISE $370,000 BY december 2027

Your help is needed for repairs and restoration of 2nd floor Library Community Room, installing fire escape stairs for safety, restoration of the 2-story winding staircase in the building's front foyer . . . and more. The funds raised may also be used towards 2026-2027 matching grant applications.  Please join our efforts today.   Even small donations like $18.58 help!

21%

Current Funds: $78,601               Goal: $370,000

PHASE 3A PROJECT GOAL ​                 
​ THROUGH DECEMBER 2028                                COST ESTIMATE:  estimate $370,000

• Rehabilitate WNW single main entrance door, ramp and covered porch to meet ADA accessibility for all ($30,000 grant awarded to cover estimated 87% of the work cost)
• Re-point building's brick in-fill foundation face
• Work with Eversource electric utility to upgrade and move service to underground entry from current overhead wires over Town House Road
• Add building stand-by generator
• Re-locate and upgrade the 500-gallon propane gas tank to NE side of building, new underground pipe to building for HVAC system
• Fabricate interior 'false walls', insulated, between Community Room and Masonic Temple to help manage temperature changes (monitor moisture) to historic hand-painted murals in Masonic Temple Room
• Electrical wiring upgrades will include:  Add LED lighting to ceilings.  Update portions of the building fire alarm, burglary and camera security system.
• Add 2nd floor Community Room water closet-bathroom
• Restore 2nd floor Community Room plaster ceilings and walls
• Restore front foyer cantilever winding stairwell area 2.5 floors
• Repair and restore South front double-door exterior entryway stairs

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PHASE 3b PROJECT GOAL                  
​ THROUGH - tbd                               Overall Project cost estimate (2026 DOLLARS):  estimate $495,000

• ​Add exterior French perimeter drain water mitigation system at roof eaves for building drainage, parking lot drainage, improve Town House Road ditches and culvert drainage
• Add elevator and stair two-story tower to East (blind) side of building to include:
  • LU/LA elevator from ground level to 2nd floor Community Room
  • 2nd stairway from ground level to 2nd floor Community Room
• Upgrade HVAC system for 2nd floor Community Room - heat, air conditioning, fresh air handling unit, dehumidification

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​PHASE 3c PROJECT GOAL                  
​ THROUGH - tbd                                OVERALL PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:  TBD

• ​Restore 9 interior single solid wood doors on 1st and 2nd floors
• HVAC system, 1st floor - heat, air conditioning, energy recovery unit fresh air circulation, humidification and dehumidification
• Create parking lot and professional landscape plan, begin implementation – widen parking lot into berm banking, narrow parking lot entrance, tiered landscaping, drainage system, upgraded underground electrical wiring for LED perimeter lamp posts, directional signs
• Demo cracked and falling plaster on 3rd floor ceiling - clean up the area

remnants of historic cloverleaf windows - use as template for reproduction windows in bell tower

Lucas Mueller, Jacobs Glass, Inc., example work

and ongoing...

• ​Continue to accept Cash and other monetary donations!
• Continue to accept volunteer help in writing grant applications
• Continue to apply for government and private foundation grants
• Continue to coordinate with Effingham Public Library, Effingham Preservation Society and other organizations
• And most important, continue to listen to constructive ideas and feedback from Effingham citizens along with  our many project supporters  living  locally and nationwide.​

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​Artisans at work repairing and restoring similar style windows, Jacobs Glass, Inc., Winslow , Maine

Bill Blodgett & Lucas Mueller

Bill Blodgett

Michael Bragg

View the Historic Building Assessment with Preservation Guidelines Report.
Prepared by ​Christopher P Williams Architects, PLLC.

view report

​​DONATE NOW  Your tax-deductible contribution will help fund the renovation of this unique New Hampshire icon.