Historic times in Gorham

Posted: Thursday, July 17, 2014 12:10 pm | Updated: 12:26 pm, Thu Jul 17, 2014.

GORHAM - Buckling under pressure, the University of Southern Maine on Tuesday temporarily halted repairs on a landmark after critics claimed the work spoiled the historical significance of the 193-year-old art gallery building on its Gorham campus.

Repairs to the landmark, built in 1821, began last year. Under the universitys renovation, windows were removed last week from the sides of the building, along with its wooden clapboards. The university plans call for replacing clapboards with vinyl siding. The plan is to store the windows and window sashes.

But, the repair project, costing $320,000, came under fire last week.

Theyve destroyed the exterior fabric of the building, Thomas Johnson, chairman of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, said on July 11, when he viewed the scene.

The sides and rear of the building were wrapped in Tyvek sheeting. Some molding pieces and broken clapboards with vintage nails were strewn on the ground near by. Johnson analyzed a strip of broken, milled wood.

This was cut from virgin forest, said Johnson, who is also director of the Victoria Mansion in Portland.

Bundles of new replacement materials were stacked behind the art gallery.

Gorham resident Adam Ogden said placing synthetic materials on the landmark is totally inappropriate. Ogden raised awareness of the project after seeing the building minus its siding and windows.

This is a crime, Ogden said on July 11.

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Historic times in Gorham