Ventfort Marks Completion of Major Restoration
 Pictured are Jay Paget of MassCultural Facilities Fund, left, Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, Executive Director Jeffery Folmer, Rep. William 'Smitty' Pignatelli, board member Tjasa Sprague and Robert L. Culver of MassDevelopment. |
With the help of $1.12 million in funding, professional restorers were able to recreate the intricate stonework, turning broken pieces into "a Faberge egg" over many months.
Officials of the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum celebrated the completion of the wall and other significant projects of the ongoing restoration on Monday. They were joined by public officials to recognize the participation of the Manton Foundation, which funded the bulk of the work.
"The past couple of years have been especially gratifying. We've made enormous strides on so many levels," said Jeffrey Folmer, executive director, in a statement. "Attendance is up, our terrific programming has been hugely successful, our public and media profile has increased considerably — and now, thanks to these very generous grants, the mansion is not only looking fabulous, but it's allowed us to expand on other fronts as well."
Built in 1893 by Sarah Morgan, sister of financier J.P. Morgan, the mansion is best recognized for being the exterior set for the Oscar-winning film "The Cider House Rules." It is an official project of Save America's Treasures and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It opened as a nonprofit venue in 2000 and received an initial $500,000 in 2007 from the Manton Foundation, created by Sir Edwin A. G. Manton, longtime executive of American Insurance Group and arts patron, who died at age 96 in October 2005. The foundation also supports Manton's contribution to the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown.
This first grant, included in the $1,120,000 total, allowed the nonprofit organization to begin tackling a number of dire projects, most notably the West Wall that was not only crumbling and fast becoming a potential safety concern, but was also the unsightly first impression of every visitor.
'Strong Wind'
"The wall looked simply awful, and the tarps covering it were constantly being torn and tattered by the strong winds from which Ventfort Hall derives its name," said Tjasa Sprague, founding member of the Ventfort Hall Association. "Ventfort means 'strong wind' in French."
With the recent completion of the restoration, Ventfort has received an additional $500,000 from the foundation to complete funding of the wall and other projects, and to meet other needs. Ventfort Hall has also announced the receipt of $120,000 in state funding through the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund.
"The state's backing and the Manton Foundation's level of commitment to our mission speaks volumes with regard to our success and sustainability," said Folmer. "Their support along with the support of our many members, donors, volunteers, and visitors from around the world has created an air of enthusiasm that's electrifying."
Ventfort was awarded the state grant last June and the funds were recently released in January by MassDevelopment. The $120,000 award required a match that was made possible with Manton Foundation funds. The state award was a targeted reimbursement to specific expenditures incurred on restoring the West Wall and portions of the second floor.
The funding allowed the organization to not only address the aesthetics but the very real safety concerns of the crumbling wall and greater access for visitors. It opened up the second floor, the Bonsal Chapel, and other historic rooms, one of which has been designated as an educational room for classes, workshops and othe activities. That was crucial to the goal of increasing educational programs, said Folmer, who added that an educational coordinator will be hired.
Work on the West Wall began in 2007 with Champlain Masonry of Pittsfield who was awarded the contract to do most of the work, including the brickwork and the installation of the northwest gable. The association has also used its own team of experts for many years.
Sprague, who has overseen the restoration along with the board since the association bought the building in 1997, said the most complex part was the gable.
"We have been working with a master stoneworker and plasterer since the beginning, and all last summer, he undertook the Herculean task of carving large blocks of rectangular stone into the intricate, original architectural gable design dating back to 1893," she said.
The complete restoration of the library was also recently finished. This room, like most of the property, stood in almost complete ruin having been exposed to the elements for many years when the building was abandoned. But even more damaging was the demolition by the owner who preceded the nonprofit association that formed to save the property.
"The room was a puzzle-work of thousands of planks, broken boards, tiny odds and ends, and missing architectural pieces," said Sprague. "We have been lucky to find several men who are masters at these dying crafts and who have been working with us for years. Armed with a few photos, our crew of woodworkers, plasterer and contractors managed to put Humpty Dumpty together again to re-create a Faberge egg."
Other smaller projects completed with Manton funds include restoration of the porte-cochere ceiling; replacement of awnings on the South Veranda; handicapped bathrooms and other accessibility features on the first floor; a new exterior entrance; work in the salon; repairs in the basement; various plumbing and electrical work and other small repairs throughout the building.
"With the 10th anniversary of our opening approaching in 2010, we want to make sure that we grow stronger every year, continue to teach people about this fascinating and important part of our world's history, and ensure that never again will this grand dame of the Berkshires fall into ruin," said Folsom.
