(Chelsea Update would like to thank Arlene Kaiser for the information in this story.)
The Waterloo Farm Museum and Dewey School have been historical fixtures in our community for the last 58 years providing ongoing educational opportunities for over 1500 school children a year, as well as celebrating our local history through our seasonal events.
These events have included Pioneer Day, Antique Tractor Show, Blacksmith-Log Cabin Days and Christmas on the Farm.
Like many other small businesses or non-profits, due to the Covid-19 outbreak; our school programming for this season had to be canceled. Funding from these events and educational programs helps to support the maintenance and upkeep of the museum.
To enable the museum to keep its doors open and provide future programming, it is in need of financial support.
Due to the harsh winter elements and spring winds this year, the 34-year-old roof on the iconic farmhouse has been replaced with a standing seam metal roof. The wooden shingles had reached the end of their life and needed to be replaced to extend the life of the building into the future.
A metal roof once existed on the farmhouse and by replacing it took us to the era of the 1890’s look, the heyday of the farm’s booming success. All this work was done in a historical fashion to restore its integrity. Work to restore the roof was finished in early June.
Establishing a new roof has provided security of the farmhouse for future stewards of the museum, stability of historical programming, and maintenance of our local history for future generations.
The Waterloo Area Historical Society has established a fundraiser to raise funds for the replacement of the farmhouse roof.
There are two different ways in which you can assist us in this need.
- A program the museum has started called “Buy a Roof Panel” is receiving check contributions for $100, which can be mailed to Waterloo Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 37, Stockbridge, MI 49285. Please annotate in the memo section of your check “Buy a Roof Panel”.
- You may also help by making an electronic contribution of any amount through the link www.charity.gofundme.com on our Facebook page at Waterloo Farm and Dewey School Museum.
Brian Dewey, president, Waterloo Area Historical Society
