Historical Society sets summer move for Elevator Barn

 

By J.D. Leichtman

C & G Staff Writer

     Rochester’s favorite barn just got a step closer to its new home.

     The Rochester-Avon Historical Society recently confirmed that the Rochester Elevator Barn will be relocated to the Clinton River Trail sometime in mid-June.

     The news of a firm date range comes at a good time for the society, which was beginning to see a drop in fund-raising due to uncertainty about the future.

     “We were beginning to lose momentum, and I think this helps solidify things,” said Rod Wilson, past president and current member of the Historical Society.

     “People now realize that this is a reality, this is going to happen.”

     The proposed move has been in the works since early 2005, when Sunrise Senior Living purchased the property around the historic Elevator Barn. According to Historical Society President Greg Doyle, Sunrise will close the deal on the land on April 29. From that point, it will take about a month and a half to prepare the barn to be moved.

     The barn is located on the southeast corner of University Drive and Water Street. It will move approximately six tenths of a mile to reach its new location.

     According to Doyle, the total cost of moving the Elevator Barn will fall somewhere around $100,000. Ongoing fund-raising efforts have helped offset a portion of this cost, but the Historical Society is hoping to raise the entire sum by the June move date.

     “We could move it today if we had to, but we prefer not to have to borrow funds from our other programs,” said Doyle.

     Dietz Movers, a specialty moving company from Muskegon, has been contracted to move the building across town — a task that will take weeks of preparation and several hours of actual move time.

     The Historical Society has heard whispers about the move being featured on either The History Channel or The Learning Channel as part of a special segment on moving large structures.

     According to Doyle, the possibility is there, but is still in the “idea” stage.

     After the barn is settled into its new location, Doyle estimates that the cost of renovating it to become a community center could cost up to $1 million. He expects the actual cost to the Historical Society for any renovations will be considerably lessened once they apply for state grants.

     While the barn’s future functions are not yet set in stone, the Historical Society hopes to take advantage of its proximity to the joggers and bicyclists who use the trail on a regular basis.

     “Being on the trail, we would cater somewhat to trail users and maybe have some availability where they come in and buy water, snacks, things like that,” said Doyle.

     Doyle also hopes that it will be used as the headquarters for the Historical Society and as a gathering place for other community organizations.

     “We want to get some input from the public and get some really nice ideas on what else we haven’t thought of,” said Doyle.

     The Historical Society plans to renew its “Hold the Elevator!” campaign, run through the Web site http://holdelevator.ne1.net, to raise funds for the move.

     The society is also using the talent of local artist Gerry Post to raise funds for the Elevator Barn. Post rendered a painting of the Elevator Barn circa 1955, complete with a train in the background, and is selling prints for $75 each. The painting is on display at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm and Rochester City Hall.

     For more information, call Greg Doyle at (248) 651-6076 or visit http://holdelevator.ne1.net.

     You can reach J.D. Leichtman at jdleichtman@candgnews.com