​​HELP RAISE $375,000 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!

2%

Current Funds: $7,325               Goal: $375,000

PHASE 3A PROJECT GOAL ​                 
​ THROUGH DECEMBER 2027                                COST ESTIMATE:  $375,000

• Hire construction project manager to oversee building restoration and construction work 
• Confirm building construction work with historic architect plans.
• Rehabilitation of the rear exterior double door entryway (no add-on cold weather enclosure at this time) to be used as main building entry during warmer months of the year, May - September 
• 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 external fire escape from Community Room 2nd floor to ground
• Re-locate the 500-gallon LP gas tank to NE side of building, new underground pipe to building for HVAC system
• HVAC system, 1st floor - heat, air conditioning, energy recovery unit fresh air circulation, humidification and dehumidification
• Fabricate interior 'false wall', insulated, between Community Room and Masonic Temple to help manage temperature changes to historic hand-painted murals in Masonic Temple Room
• Restore 11 interior single doors on 1st and 2nd floors
• Restore front foyer cantilever winding stairwell area 2.5 floors
• Repair and restore South front door exterior entryway stairs
• Re-point building's brick foundation face
• ​Remove/demo 1 current exterior covered entry ramp, exterior door and nonconforming window off parking lot side; exterior clapboard restored wall area
• Restore by reproducing and installing 1 large 6 over 6 pane double hung window off parking lot side to match other building windows
• Exterior building paint with lead encapsulating paint – a third of building side wall off parking lot around new entry will need touch-up
• Upgrade project related electrical wiring, alarm system and camera security system
• ​​Up to 10% contingency for unanticipated items ​

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PHASE 3b PROJECT GOAL                  
​ THROUGH - tbd                               Overall Project cost estimate (2025 DOLLARS):  $455,000

• Hire construction project manager to oversee restoration and ensure quality construction
• Confirm building construction work with historic architect plans.
• Rehabilitation of the rear exterior double door entryway to include new entry landing with covered entrance portico
• Restore 2nd floor Community Room plaster ceilings
• HVAC system for this one room - heat, air conditioning, fresh air handling unit, dehumidification
• Add 2nd floor Community Room water closet-bathroom
• Add building stand-by generator
• Electrical wiring upgrades will include:  Add LED lighting to 2nd floor ceilings.  Update the building fire alarm, burglary and camera security system.
• Upgrade HVAC system for handling the 2nd floor Community Room space
• ​​Up to 10% contingency for unanticipated items​​

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​PHASE 3c PROJECT GOAL                  
​ THROUGH - tbd                                OVERALL PROJECT COST ESTIMATE:  n/a

• Create parking lot and professional landscape plan, begin implementation – widen parking lot into berm banking, new parking lot entrance, landscaping, drainage system, upgraded underground electrical wiring, LED lighting perimeter lights, directional signs, ADA hardscape ramps to new entry door landing
• Add LU/LA elevator from 1st floor to 2nd floor Community Room
• Add 2nd stairway from 1st to 2nd floor Community Room
• 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.