Riverside Avondale Preservation's historic HQ seeks contractors for restoration

An historic house that is home to the organization that strives to maintain Riversides classic look is about to embark on its own preservation.

The Buckland House, Riverside Avondale Preservations 100-year-old headquarters, will get its own historic makeover this summer and fall.

A $103,150 historic preservation grant and a $51,575 contribution from the group will fuel the project at the two-story headquarters at 2623 Herschel St., executive director Carmen Godwin said.

RAP is supposed to be an example of preservation for the neighborhood and we felt really strongly that we needed to be that model, Godwin said. By doing the renovation we would be walking the talk. It is important that we are the stewards of an historic home.

Riverside Avondale Preservation works to enhance and preserve the historic neighborhoods architecture, history, culture and economic strength. The 1,844-square-foot headquarters was first the home of George and Grace Buckland and daughters Mary and Charlotte. Grace Buckland and Mary operated the French Primary School there from 1918 until the mothers death in the 1940s. When Charlotte died as the last family member, a relative donated the home to Riverside Avondale Preservation in 1990.

The homes foundation was restored in late 2012 with the house being lifted 2 feet so deteriorated stones and bricks could be removed before floors were leveled and rotten beams replaced.

The project, including new front steps, was paid for with a state matching grant. But the homes age and its move for foundation repair have revealed other issues like a leaky roof, crumbling plaster walls, misaligned windows and damage to the dining room floor from a long-ago fire.

The group had filed for a renovation grant four years ago. But the Legislature did not fund it despite its high ranking until state and local lawmakers lobbied this year and the Department of Historic Resources awarded it. So the renovation will also include roof replacement, chimney stabilization, interior and exterior work and better handicapped accessibility to the downstairs bathroom, all following criteria for historic properties.

The group is seeking contractors with experience in historic renovation by an April 11 deadline. State officials would have to approve the contractor, then construction could begin in May and be done by October. Until then, the offices have relocated to the St. Vincents Dillon Building at 3 Shircliff Way.

For information about the bid process, go to riversideavondale.org.

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Riverside Avondale Preservation's historic HQ seeks contractors for restoration