ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

With the Library's 100th anniversary on the horizon, the Board of Trustees at its annual retreat in early 2006 decided to create an Endowment to ensure the Library's sustainability through the next hundred years. To that end, they established the Stone Ridge Library Foundation and applied for and received 501 (c) (3) status.

A first priority would be the stewardship of the historic buildings, and the newly formed Foundation applied for and won a grant from the Preservation League of New York State toward an historic structures report. The agency identified the 1798 stone house as a priority. Engineers' estimates for the bracing and stabilization were sought and came in at $75,000. With this need identified, the Foundation outlined a comprehensive plan to address both immediate and long term goals.

Phase I

Historic Structure Report. Completed at a cost of $12,000.

Phase II

Implementation of Recommendations:

Building Stabilization. Completed at a cost of $75,000.

Of that amount $38,000 was received from New York state funding, including a grant of $20,000 facilitated by state Senator John J. Bonacic (R-C, Mt. Hope). The remaining $37,000 came from community donations and the Library's capital fund.

Phase III

Restoration of the 1798 and 1811 buildings and adding new space to allow existing house to be used as reading and meeting space.

Foundation Board Members

Shelley Wyant, President
Judith Schneller, Vice President
James Hoover, Treasurer
Carol Meyer, Secretary
Bill Davenport
Judy Embree
Bobbi Esmark
Jody Ford
Elaine Hayes
Eileen McAdam
Nicole Quinn
Kathy Schulz
Laurel Sweeney

Architectural Firm to Create Master Plan

Anonymous Pledge of $10,000 announced

May, 2008 - The Library has hired Paul Mays of the architectural firm Butler Rowland Mays Architects, LLP to prepare a master plan for the restoration of the library’s two historic buildings and probable additional space to meet the library’s needs in the decades ahead. The selection of the Mechanicville, New York firm was announced at a fundraising event sponsored by the Stone Ridge Library Foundation and hosted by Mary McNamara of Stone Ridge.

At the event Foundation Board Trustee Bill Davenport praised the library’s outreach to children, and addressed the need to raise funds to restore the historic buildings. Mr. Davenport added that he had faith that the fundraising efforts would be successful. An announcement later in the evening of an anonymous pledge of $10,000 seemed to support his conviction.

Dr. William Rhoads, author and Professor Emeritus of American Art and Architecture at the State University at New Paltz shared that he was a fan of the Stone Ridge Library, “the institution and also the building,” citing some of his favorite historical collections and adding, “it is important to restore historic buildings and use them for noble purposes.”

The firm will make recommendations for stabilization and permanent repair of structural elements, particularly exterior stone masonry walls, foundations, and roof structure. The plan, scheduled to be submitted in the fall, will entail three distinct areas of service: architectural, structural, and historic preservation.

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WHY GIVE

The Building

Restoration planning started in 2005 when the Library received a grant from the Preservation League of New York to commission a detailed expert report on the two houses.

Melissa Thompson of Rifton was hired to perform the study. Her draft report led the Library board to hire Michael Lynch, a stone house expert, who grew up in High Falls and used the Library as a boy. Mr. Lynch immediately installed gauges on several interior walls to monitor their movement. Those measurements led to the shoring and bracing of the building.

The 161-page Historic Structure Report called for a wide range of restoration. Among other things it included installing appropriate gutters, rebuilding window frames and analyzing paints used in the houses over their long lives.

“As the Library nears the centennial of Julia Hasbrouck Dwight’s 1909 gift of the 1798 house to the community for a library, it is time to focus again on the houses and prepare them for the next 100 years,” said Jim Hoover, past president of the Library’s board of trustees.

Shoring and bracing went up on the east wall of the Library’s north house in the fall of 2006. Rods were also installed at the attic level. This work will stabilize the 1798 stone building. Additional engineering, restoration and information gathering are underway.

The support of the community will be critical to the Library’s ability to move forward on the highest priority restoration projects. The Stone Ridge Library Foundation has been formed to raise funds for restoration and future maintenance of these historic houses.

Architectural Firm to Create Master Plan

Anonymous Pledge of $10,000 announced

DONATE NOW

Credit card donations to the Library are managed by the Ulster/Dutchess County Community Foundation, click here to make your donation. Please put "Stone Ridge Library Foundation" on the Fund line when you make your donation. To download our PDF form to print it out and send your donation by mail click here.

HOW TO GIVE

Checks

Checks made payable to the Stone Ridge Library Foundation directly and immediately benefit the Library.

Credit card

Credit card donations to the Library are managed by the Ulster County Community Foundation, click here to make your donation.

Stocks

Gifts of appreciated stock can be of particular value to donors. Donations would be made by transferring stock to the Library’s account at Smith Barney. Details provided upon request.

Bequests

Bequests, both large and small, have been an important source of support for the Library since it’s founding. A bequest is a wonderful way to make a significant investment in the Library’s future. For more information on making a bequest, or, if you have already included the Library in your estate plans, please contact Jim Hoover at 687 0676.