Restoration Projects
Scope of work
Proposed restoration across our three sites: the Henry Bird Homestead, the William Voris Archaeological Site, and the Rye Meeting House. Each site is accompanied by its own schedule of work showing phases, current status, and budget, so you can see exactly where your gift goes.
Henry Bird Homestead
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places · U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
Farmhouse, barn, and wood shop
- Restoration of the 19th-century farmhouse and barn to depict the life and times of five generations of the Bird/Erikson family’s homesteading from 1852 to 2009, 145 years.
- Restoration of Henry Bird’s wood shop, nestled on the banks of the Blind Brook behind the family’s farmhouse, into a Woodshop and Marine Education Center to provide exhibits of his woodworking tools and craftsmanship, lectures and educational programs, and ongoing research in his study of horticulture, the salt marsh, and the natural environment.
- Providing exhibits and ongoing research related to the scientific work of Henry Bird, Roland Bird, and Junius Bird in the fields of Entomology/Horticulture, Paleontology, and Anthropology, and Alice Bird/Erikson and Doris Bird in the fields of Art and Literature.
Total estimated cost$1,597,890
ScheduleFour phases of work
Schedule of work
Phases, current status, and budget for the Henry Bird Homestead. Phase I is complete; Phase II is under way.
Farmhouse Restore exterior structure
| Work item | Phase | Status | Budget | Spent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New roof, gutters, and leaders | I | Completed | $141,585 | $141,585 |
| Repair cedar siding and wooden trim | II | In progress | $172,588 | $22,000 |
| Repoint masonry foundations and chimneys | II | In progress | Incl. above | — |
| Repair windows | II | In progress | Incl. above | — |
| Paint exterior | II | In progress | Incl. above | — |
| Total | $314,173 | $163,585 | ||
Farmhouse Restore interior structure
| Work item | Phase | Status | Budget | Spent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepare construction documents | II | In progress | $15,000 | — |
| Demolition | III | Next phase | $1,000,000 | — |
| Restore interior partitions | III | Next phase | Incl. above | — |
| Install heating, plumbing, and electrical systems | III | Next phase | Incl. above | — |
| Total | $1,015,000 | — | ||
Farmhouse Restore gardens
| Work item | Phase | Status | Budget | Spent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front porch gardens | II | In progress | $25,000 | — |
| Kitchen garden | III | Next phase | $30,000 | — |
| Total | $55,000 | — | ||
Barn Restore exterior structure
| Work item | Phase | Status | Budget | Spent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New cedar roof, gutters, and leaders | I | Completed | $176,717 | $176,717 |
| Rebuild ramp and repair barn door | II | In progress | $2,000 | — |
| Repair siding and wooden trim, paint | III | Next phase | $35,000 | — |
| Total | $213,717 | $176,717 | ||
Woodshop & Marine Education Center Restore exterior structure
| Work item | Phase | Status | Budget | Spent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebuild existing piles and piers | IV | Future phase | TBD | — |
| Repair siding and wooden trim, paint | IV | Future phase | TBD | — |
| Prepare boat house and dock construction plans | III | Next phase | TBD | — |
| Construct new boat house and dock | IV | Future phase | TBD | — |
| Total | TBD | — | ||
Henry Bird Homestead total$1,597,890 budgeted · $340,302 spent to date
William Voris Archaeological Site
Walking tour and exhibit
- Development of a self-guided walking tour of the Voris property, indicating where the home stood, including interpretive signs telling the story of this important member of 19th-century Milton Hamlet.
- Installation of the finds from the four archaeological digs on the site.
Total estimated cost$27,000
ScheduleTwo phases of work
Schedule of work
Phases, current status, and budget for the William Voris Archaeological Site. Phase I is complete; Phase II is under way.
Archaeological digs and exhibits
| Work item | Phase | Status | Budget | Spent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archaeological digs 1, 2, and 3 | I | Completed | $20,000 | $20,000 |
| Archaeological dig 4 | I | Completed | Incl. above | — |
| Curate and install exhibit | II | In progress | $3,000 | — |
| Plot residence foundation and benchmark footprint | II | In progress | $4,000 | — |
| Total | $27,000 | $20,000 | ||
William Voris Archaeological Site total$27,000 budgeted · $20,000 spent to date
Rye Meeting House
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places · U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
A year-round community gathering space
- Restoration of the Rye Meeting House to a fully functioning community gathering space to host lectures, educational courses, community events, and family events and gatherings, year round.
- Restore damaged bell tower framing and exterior siding.
- Providing an ADA-compliant toilet.
- Installing a catering pantry and work area to support events.
Total estimated cost$307,883
ScheduleFour phases of work
Schedule of work
Phases, current status, and budget for the Rye Meeting House. Phase I is complete; Phase II is under way.
Restore exterior structure
| Work item | Phase | Status | Budget | Spent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Install clerestory windows and cedar shingle roof | I | Completed | $97,108 | $97,108 |
| Conduct structural analysis of bell tower | II | In progress | $20,000 | — |
| Repair bell tower framing, cedar siding, and wooden trim | III | Next phase | $148,500 | — |
| Repair stained glass windows | III | Next phase | $10,000 | — |
| Paint building exterior | III | Next phase | TBD | — |
| Total | $275,608 | $97,108 | ||
Restore interior structure
| Work item | Phase | Status | Budget | Spent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renovate existing toilet for ADA compliance | II | In progress | $10,000 | — |
| Restore and paint vestibule, main room, transept, and chancel | II | In progress | $9,625 | — |
| Restore and paint reading room, vestibule, and storage room | II | In progress | $12,650 | — |
| Create catering pantry and work area | IV | Future phase | TBD | — |
| Total | $32,275 | — | ||
Rye Meeting House total$307,883 budgeted · $97,108 spent to date
Support this work
Help us bring these projects to life
Every gift goes directly toward preservation, exhibits, and the ongoing archaeological work on Milton Road.