Written by Sarah E. Anderson
The historic Gilford Outing Club warming hut. (Photo: Harrison Haas)
Five years ago, when I was ten, I started a campaign to rehabilitate one of Gilford, New Hampshire’s treasures, the Gilford Outing Club’s old warming hut. I began this project because I love buildings and felt this one should be preserved.
The Gilford Outing Club (G.O.C.) was a thriving community-oriented organization that trained four Olympians. One of them is Penny Pitou, two-time silver medalist in the 1960 Winter Olympics. It operated from 1947 until they closed their doors in 1992; the property was donated to the town in 1994.
The warming hut is an 18’ by 33’ one-room building just outside of Gilford Village. It sits on a concrete slab and is constructed of rough-cut 2×4’s spaced 24” on center. It is clad in rough-cut clapboard siding. The windows have been replaced over time as G.O.C. members donated their old windows. The year it was built has not been determined.
Sheldon Morgan and Sarah Anderson discussing rehabilitation strategies with R. J. Ilg, a local builder. (Photo: Carol Anderson)
When we first saw the building, everything from the G.O.C. was still there including an antique woodstove. These items are currently in storage and will return to the building when the work is complete.
Since the town owns the property, I presented a letter to the Gilford Board of Selectmen and they granted approval for the rehabilitation. I have also given the board updates along the way as we progressed. Sheldon Morgan, director of the Department of Public Works, has helped me and my family from the beginning.
We raised approximately $10,000 for supplies, $4,000 of which is matching funds from Meredith Village Savings Bank. Fund raising included holding events and programs on the G.O.C. We received generous donations from local people and businesses who wanted to support the effort.
After much research, including talking to an engineer and reading The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, it was determined the walls were rotted beyond repair. They are currently being duplicated by the Huot Technical Center in Laconia.
A pulley of the old rope tow lies in the grass beside the hut. (Photo: Harrison Haas)
The Gilford Rotary Club will assemble the new walls later this year, and a local resident has already milled the lumber for the siding. The reconstruction of the warming hut will be complete this year, but the project is not over.
The next phase of the project will be repairing the tow shack at the top of the hill and getting the entire property, which includes 17.95 acres, on the State Register of Historic Places.
While working through this project, I have met many wonderful individuals and have learned how much this building means to so many people. I have also learned so much about preservation and how important it is to preserve history. Because of this I want to make it my career.
I feel strongly about how important historic buildings are to our communities and our world. I am always sad when I learn of the demolition of an historic building or a building that may become historic. I know these buildings should not be destroyed and I am committed to saving as many as possible.
Sarah Anderson is a 10th grade home-schooled student from Gilford, New Hampshire. She has been working on the preservation of the warming hut with the help of her mother, Carol Anderson, and younger brother Dean.
gordon
May 5, 2011
The Gilford area is rich in ski history. I’m glad to see that some of it survive.
James Garvin
May 5, 2011
This is an inspiring example of what the next generation of preservationists is already accomplishing at an age when few people have found their mission in life. Sarah is not only a determined steward of her heritage, but a fluent and persuasive writer, another talent that is much needed in our field. Her preservation of a fragile element of New Hampshire’s pioneering ski industry pays tribute to one of the great phenomena of the twentieth century–transformation of the harsh New England winter into a season of recreation and communion with nature. Sarah’s project is an important element of a larger preservation effort that will celebrate the surprising contributions that Gilford, New Hampshire, made to one of America’s great sports.
Deb Gagne
May 5, 2011
Sarah what an inspiration you are to your town, your state and historic preservation around the country. I would like to point out to you a program through the State of NH, which is the Conservation License Plate (Moose Plate) Grant program. Since the town of Gilford owns the building, it qualifies the town to apply for up to $10,000 to restore this building or the tow shack at the top of the lift. It is too late to apply for this years allocation, but as long as the program continues into next year this would be a great way to generate additional funds for work that needs to be done. All work funded through this program must meet the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. If you would like to talk about this please feel free to email me at deborah.gagne@dcr.nh.gov
Your Blog is fun to read and I look forward to a conversation some time about the future work plans for this site.
edf
May 5, 2011
Keep up the great work on the buildings Sarah and your great writing skills could also make a difference. This story makes me want to get to work preparing my 2 year old to walk in Sarahs footsteps!
Denise Crompton
May 5, 2011
I remember when Sarah first started this project. She has confronted a number of setbacks that would cause many people to give up. The way Sarah has persevered is very impressive. I see a bright future for both Sarah and the town of Gilford.