Historical society seeks help for Tallman renovation
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The Rock County Historical Society is gradually developing a campus on North Jackson Street in Janesville. From left are the Lincoln-Tallman Restorations, the Archives Research Center and the Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center.
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A mobile storage system donated by Blackhawk Community Credit Union has been installed in the newly waterpoofed basement of the building at 430 N. Jackson St., which will become the historical society’s archive center. The new system triples the amount of archive storage available.
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On of the improvements to the Rock County Histroical Society's Archives and Research Center that is being developed on N. Jackson St. is a ramp system that makes the structure accessible to all people. The current archive is not compliant.
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All the hardwood floors in the Rock County Historical Society's new Archive and Research Center will be refinished including the stairway, newel post and banister.
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Michael Reuter
JANESVILLE — When renovation of the Charles Tallman House is complete, storage space for collections and research will double for the Rock County Genealogical Society and Rock County Historical Society archives.
Work on the 1915 stucco house at 430 N. Jackson St. started nearly three years ago. When finished it will officially become the Charles Tallman Archives and Research Center.
Total cost of the project is $300,000. To date, $100,000 has been raised and another $100,000 has been donated in time and materials.
Historical and genealogical society volunteers have contributed more than 10,000 work hours. Still, money, master painters, carpenters, plumbers and general contractors are being sought to donate time and materials to finish this project, said Michael Reuter, historical society executive director.
"We're taking the campaign public to raise the last third and final $100,000 now that we're on the home stretch of this project," said Reuter, noting work should be done by year's end.
Completed projects include waterproofing the basement and installing a handicap accessible ramp, a new roof, collapsible storage in the basement, bathroom tile flooring, lighting throughout the first floor and all new electrical wiring. Original hardwood floors on the first and second floors of the house also have been refinished.
Refurbishing projects left on the list include installing a toilet and fixtures in the first-floor bathroom, an air conditioning unit and antique period hardware on doors and antique period lighting fixtures. In addition, the home's interior and exterior need painting, the parking lot needs resurfacing, and landscaping work remains in front of the house.
Reuter explained why public support is so important to the project.
"We're providing more value to the community than just being a store house for our old stuff," Reuter said. "We will be seen as a destination for people to come for local history as it relates to Rock County."
According to Reuter, other community benefits of the archives and research include:
-- Providing a permanent place for all archival materials that pertain to Rock County history.
-- The society's dedication to hosting lectures, historic house research, and educational programs focused on genealogy, oral histories, and photograph and document care.
-- Inclusion of touch screen and Smart board technology connected to area research center databases and classrooms.
"To keep a project's momentum going for so long is an amazing feat given the economy," Reuter said.
"It's really a testament to the efforts of the historical society staff, board members, genealogy society members and other community volunteers, who are passionate about preserving these artifacts, have worked on this project to keep it going and to see it completed."
ROCK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY CAMPUS
1. Lincoln-Tallman House
Built: 1855-57
Use now: Guided tours are offered daily.
Restoration work completed at a cost of $1.2 million: The city of Janesville and the Rock County Historical Society have worked together on the restoration of this facility since 2009. Improvements made include a new roof, restoration of external doors and hardware, renovation of carriage and portico/front porch, renovation and re-installation of front side storm windows, installation of a handicapped-accessible lift.
Restoration work planned at a cost of $812,500: Costs include hiring a museum experience/design firm to assist in developing participatory and multi-sensory experiences so guests can immerse themselves in the time period the house represents. Also, planning, develop and implementation of an exterior lighting and landscape plan for house and the rest of the historical society campus; restoration of the house's conservatory; fence restoration and addition; cast-iron crown and sill restoration; remaining storm window restoration; foundation and masonry re-pointing repairs on the house; and endowment to keep up with ongoing maintenance.
2. Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center
Year built: 1915
Use now: Historical society administrative offices, gift shop and four exhibit galleries.
Restoration work completed at a cost of $960,000: In 1996, money was raised to create the addition to the Stanley Tallman House, which became the Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center. Almost 20 years later, it is in need of improvements.
Restoration work planned at a cost of $105,000: Update signage in front and back of the center; re-deck and paint the center's observation deck; install a new roof; and create an endowment to keep up with ongoing maintenance.
3. Charles Tallman House
Year built: 1915
Use now: Will become the home of the historical society's archives and research center.
Restoration work completed at a cost of $200,000: Purchase of the building, installation of handicapped-accessible ramp; new roof installation; hardwood floors refinishing; basement waterproofing; compact shelving and drop ceiling installation; new cabinetry in kitchen; removal of a steel fire escape; sanding and painting of first and second floor; and sanding and staining of the main staircase.
Restoration work planned at a cost of $100,000: New asphalt drive and parking lot; new painted exterior; exterior landscaping; front entry capping and rail installation; purchase and installation of a new air conditioning system; installation of historic light fixtures for the public reading room and historic hardware for first floor doors; and establishment of an endowment to keep up with ongoing maintenance.
4. Wilson-King Stone House
Year built: 1845. Moved to historical society campus in 1964.
Use now: Currently houses historical society archives and the Rock County Genealogical Society.
Restoration work completed and cost to date: None.
Restoration work planned at a cost of $205,000: Program development; implementation and fabrication; capital improvements such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plus electric and IT upgrades.
5. Tallman Carriage House
Year built: 1857
Use now: Not currently in use.
Restoration work completed to date at a cost of $80,000: Electrical service installed in facility; architectural assessment of capital improvement priorities.
Restoration work planned at a cost of $475,000: Implementation of museum exhibits/experiences that promote the commercial, industrial and entrepreneurial success of Rock County businesses; structural, electrical, plumbing and HVAC improvements; and establishment of an endowment to keep up with ongoing maintenance.
To help
Donations can be made online at www.rchs.us/preserving-our-legacy-the-charles-tallman-project-an-introduction, by phone at 608-756-4509 and in person at the Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center, 426 N. Jackson St., Janesville.
All donations of money and supplies are tax-deductible. These contributions, in addition to donations of time, will be recognized during the grand opening open house event and on a memorial board in the facility's reading room.
Feb 2, 2013 at 2:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Unfortunately there isn't a market for the "boutique" style downtown hotel outside of large cities anymore, frogger. The proposed condominium conversion is the most effective way to preserve the structure.
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Not every downtown has an anchor per se, frusion; in fact the best indicator of health is a diversity of activities, from shopping to eating to entertainment.
Feb 1, 2013 at 12:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
IF the Monteray would get fixed up it would be neat to have it be a hotel again. When I go places I look for the cool old stuff not the Holiday inn. Pfister in Milwaukee is cool. Found a couple cool ones in downtown San Antonio too.
Feb 1, 2013 at 10:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
I'm not saying anything new from previous discussion of downtown but we need an anchor down there. A place that will draw a volume of people. It is then other specialty shops can thrive but until then, there is nothing that will bring enough people downtown to encourage further development and investments. I know there are a few popular eating establishments but you still need something that will bring in a constant flow of people. Janesville does not have it right now.
Feb 1, 2013 at 9:35 a.m.
Suggest removal
velheim- I care- I am gen X thanks!
It takes work and more work to keep and old building up.If you also noticed it is not a small building. It is a GEM. I loved to visit when I was in grade school and still visit. Try a visit for yourself!!
When they hold their events people of ALL ages are there.
I do agree about down town- there are plenty of shops but they need to be open more often and at night and on Sunday. But they don't open for fear of people not coming down I guess. Somebody has to give!
Feb 1, 2013 at 6:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
This is money well spent
Jan 31, 2013 at 6:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Velheim, if you would in fact read the article -- clearly something you did not do -- it explains how this is only part of a years-long renovation process. The projects done first were needed to protect the structure from further damage. They were not just slapping paint on. If you are curious how the money is going to be spent, the article does explain in fair detail.
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Since this article is requesting individuals to donate, your presentation of other priorities is strange, as if donors are required to choose. In any case, the city study done several years ago clearly identified the importance of the Tallman House in generating tourist interest in Janesville.
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Anyway, many of the same people you are insulting in your comment supported the Historic Overlay District, which would have been one way to cement the importance of our downtown's historic buildings as a building block in creating a more commercially successful downtown. It's unfortunate that you don't realize who is on your side and choose to be mean.
Jan 31, 2013 at 5:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Kindly explain how people who want to donate to the Tallman House renovation should instead implement your plan to improve Janesville.
Jan 31, 2013 at 5:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
You guys have spoken of "Renovating" the tallmen house for years. What about all the paint jobs and construction that has happened on off during the last 5 years alone?
Either renovate the house or don't.
If anything, take comfort that very few people in Janesville sincerely care about the Tallman house and only those of the baby boomer generation honestly care.
Those are the only types of people you actually see frequenting that area when they hold their annual public events.
This is about as repetitive of a topic as the city side walk plan we keep trying to sweep under the rug.
Oh! What about that constant rumor that the GM plant is going back into business! I love that one! Thats my favorite!
Instead of the tallmen house or the sidwalk plans, lets put our tax dollars into bringing more commercial outlets to downtown Janesville.
Have you seen downtown lately? Aside from lawyers walking back and forth between office and court house and the occasional group of people heading to either Five Points, the bar, or to the Mark and your occasional Charter student heading to school, downtown Janesville hasn't seen much of a peak in activity compared to the commercial boom it has been historically known for.
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