renovation news
recent MEETINGHOUSE RESTORATION projects
Bell Tower Renovations - 2023
In March 2023, Valley Restoration - the company hired by the Foundation - began working on removing water damage and waterproofing the area above the Revere and Sons bell.
As you can see, once the ceiling below the cupola was removed, the extent of the dry rot is evident. Once the replacement woodwork is installed, the entire exterior of the Bell Tower will be repainted while the scaffolding is up.
This project has been planned for years, but the pandemic got in the way.
As you can see, once the ceiling below the cupola was removed, the extent of the dry rot is evident. Once the replacement woodwork is installed, the entire exterior of the Bell Tower will be repainted while the scaffolding is up.
This project has been planned for years, but the pandemic got in the way.
New cisterns for the meetinghouse Community
Pictured L-R: 1717 Meetinghouse Foundation Trustee Dr. Peter Smith, Trustee Steve Musselman, WBFD Chief Joseph V. Maruca, Trustee and Foundation President Georgia Lonkart, and Town Councilor Kris Clark (Precinct 11) share in the celebration of the commissioning of 60,000 gallons of stand-by emergency water.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on November 14, 2021, for the installation of two 30,000-gallon underground water tanks. West Barnstable Fire District does not have town water and, therefore, does not have water hydrants. Four cisterns aid the Fire Department with the storage of water. One of those sites has been West Barnstable’s Town Green on Route 149. But that water tank was nearly a century old and needed replacement.
Thanks to the 1717 Meetinghouse Foundation for their funding, along with a Community Preservation Grant, the Meetinghouse - and West Barnstable Fire District - now have a reliable source of 60,000 gallons of water for fire protection.
Said Chief Maruca:
“I hope we never have to use it!”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on November 14, 2021, for the installation of two 30,000-gallon underground water tanks. West Barnstable Fire District does not have town water and, therefore, does not have water hydrants. Four cisterns aid the Fire Department with the storage of water. One of those sites has been West Barnstable’s Town Green on Route 149. But that water tank was nearly a century old and needed replacement.
Thanks to the 1717 Meetinghouse Foundation for their funding, along with a Community Preservation Grant, the Meetinghouse - and West Barnstable Fire District - now have a reliable source of 60,000 gallons of water for fire protection.
Said Chief Maruca:
“I hope we never have to use it!”
A THOROUGH Meetinghouse cLeaning and interior painting during the covid hiAtus
The 1717 Meetinghouse Foundation took advantage of the extended Covid-19 forced hiatus in March 2021.
First, the Meetinghouse was thoroughly cleaned by a professional crew. They even power-vacuumed the very tops of the original 1717 exposed beams - which probably hadn’t been cleaned in the nearly seventy years since the Meetinghouse was renovated.
Next, painters had the luxury of prepping the entire Meetinghouse all at once for a well-needed fresh coat of paint. Recently, a faint mold was appearing on the rear stairwells - visually similar to foxing. After painting, the Meetinghouse was then ready to reopen to visitors as Covid precautions eased.
After the cleaning and painting, to once again walk inside the Meetinghouse, it no longer smelled its age. And that’s a good thing.
A NEW ROOF FOR THE MEETINGHOUSE
|
|
CLICK FOR VIDEO:
From the creative minds of videographer Matt Weider and original music by Shawn Malcomson. The Trustees express gratitude to you both for this excellent short film. |
WINDOW RESTORATION
|
|
In two phases that began in late June and ending in December 2016, the Meetinghouse had all its windows restored.
Not a "replacement window" project, the original windows were removed from the building, transported for restoration at a workshop in Boston, and returned to the building (for another 300 years.) |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
|
|
Because of a generous gift from a member of the congregation of West Parish Church, the Meetinghouse has the new lighting that has been sorely overdue for quite some time.
State of the art, low operating cost and highest quality LED flood and spot lighting has been installed to help the Meetinghouse display its splendor at night. See it in person! |
landmark sign restored
|
|
Did you notice that the the historical sign that has graced the grounds of the 1717 Meetinghouse since 1939 is looking better than ever? The 1717 Meetinghouse Foundation has removed it, sent it to a foundry for refurbishment and a sign maker has restored it in time for the both the 400th anniversary of the West Parish Congregation and the 300th anniversary celebration of the Meetinghouse.
Originally placed to celebrate the Town's 350th anniversary, you can see from the 10 year old picture on the left that the Cape Cod weather has not been kind to the finish on this marker, an historical item itself. As the sign suffered from a pitted surface and the gold leaf finish was stained and peeling. The cost of this refurbishing exceeded $3000. |
BELL TOWER RESTORATION
|
|
CLICK FOR VIDEO:
The Revere Bell at the 1717 Meetinghouse is restored to the bell tower in July 2015. The damaged clapper was replaced as well as the deteriorated housing which holds the bell in place. Video by Matt Weider, original music by Shawn Malcomson, both members at West Parish of Barnstable, United Church of Christ. |
