Restoration of historic Pontiac house to pick up in spring

PONTIAC The recent cold weather isnt doing much to help volunteers restoring the Strevell House, but the president of the Livingston County Historical Society said work on the home that once hosted Abraham Lincoln will resume full scale in the spring.

A lot of our volunteers head to warmer climates for the winter, Bob Sear said. It gives us a chance to focus on some other aspects such as fundraising.

The outside restoration is complete, Sear said. It includes a new roof, restoration of doors and windows and the replacement of ornamental fretwork. The foundation has been repaired, and the exterior has been painted in a historically accurate scheme.

It looks really good when you drive past it, Sear said. We still have some yard work and things like that to do, but it looks much better than it did.

Now, the focus has switched to the interior of the home at 401 W. Livingston St., which had been an apartment building in recent years.

There is still a lot of work to do there, said Ellie Alexander, director of Pontiac Tourism. A lot of progress has been made, but its going to take a lot of work and a lot of time.

The Historical Society acquired the property in 2009, and about $60,000 has been spent so far on the project, Sear said. Most of that money has been spent on the exterior, but the interior restoration and repair will be even more expensive, he said.

Sear said several businesses and volunteers have contributed labor and, sometimes, supplies.

The inside is pretty much gutted out, he said. We have some electrical and plumbing work to do, but things have slowed down a lot and will remain that way until the weather gets warmer.

The 1850s home of Jason Strevell is the last existing structure in Livingston County known to have hosted Lincoln.

Excerpt from:
Restoration of historic Pontiac house to pick up in spring