The Madison County Historical Society has signed a contract with Miller and Maack Construction of Collinsville to correct long-time issues with the roof of the 1836 Weir House, according to a press release from the historical society.
Madison County Historical SocietyThe Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) has signed a contract with Miller and Maack Construction of Collinsville to correct long-time issues with the roof of the 1836 Weir House, according to a press release from the historical society.
Joe Hutton, an owner of the company, presented a detailed plan of attack that will stabilize components to prevent future movement that causes leaks.
The work is made possible through funding with a matching grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCOE). MCHS also received a façade grant from the City of Edwardsville that covers a portion of the window and door restoration.
The Wier House, located at 715 N. Main St., has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983, according to the MCHS, which purchased the site for a museum in 1963. The house was built in 1836 and was owned by the Weir family for three generations. It was built the year after Dr. John H. Weir, family patriarch, came to Edwardsville, the historical society has reported.
Miller and Maack is well-known for their work in historic preservation. The company did the work on restoration of the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville and the D. D. Collins House in Collinsville. Hutton is a life-long resident of Edwardsville with a personal interest in the restoration of the MCHS museum building.
Much work has already been completed on the house. The windows in the original house have now all been restored by Old House Restoration Company. They specialize in window restoration. Still to be done are the first floor windows of the “new addition” that was added in 1928.
Restoration specialist Ned Giberson is working on the front entrance as well as the side entrance used by Dr. Weir’s patients more than a century ago.
A new electrical panel, all new HVAC system, and a restored back porch with a new ADA compliant ramp have all been completed. In addition, most of the paint has been removed from the building so the soft brick underneath can now breathe as intended, according to the MCHS press release.
Society leaders hope to open the first museum exhibits in the building by summer. Until then, museum exhibits can be found in the Madison County Archival Library next door, at 801 N. Main Street, Edwardsville. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
To help the society meet the terms of the matching grant, donations can be sent to MCHS, 801 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Located at 801 N. Main St., MCHS is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Call 618-656-1294 to learn more about funding, membership, or volunteer opportunities.
Learn more at madcohistory.org.
