Huge and heartfelt thanks to everyone who made our Stage 1 Funding Goal a reality! While progress has been slow, it has been steady, and would have been impossible without your support.
UPDATE: WE HAVE RECEIVED APPROVAL on FEMA grant for the next scope of work: to lift the house 6.3' above its existing elevation (required by County), grade the yard up so the house sits on a gentle rise, repair the foundation framework and set the building back down on a new foundation. Geo Engineers at Hillis-Carnes and Breckstone Architecture are supervising. We are expecting the work to begin late Spring/early Summer 2018!
We are now reaching out to our supporters in hopes to raise an additional $25k so that we have our required total of $44k in matching funds on the grant. Thank you so much for considering helping out. Even the smallest contribution or link-share adds up, and is greatly appreciated!
We plan to bring in an archeologist to do some digging around the house grounds before the re-grading takes place.
Our 2017 Arts & Education Projects included:
- Creation of The Waterman's Daughter - a historic theater production about one of Crisfield's most iconic residents, Lilyan Stratton Corbin (1882 - 1928)
- Nelson Graveyard Restoration with the UMES Honors Program and local historian Joe Paden.
- The 2017 Wood and Stone Songwriting Retreat.
With your help we have been able to:
-re-surface the almost impassable driveway
-remove dead trees from around the house
-restore and document the Nelson graveyard
-get perk tests, soil engineering study, elevation surveys and environmental reports
-cap the chimneys and waterproof the roof
-Get a masonry report and recommendations on the brickwork & chimneys
-inspect the foundation and framework
-create a more in-depth rehabilitation 'scope of work' including architectural engineer's drawings.
-begin researching and documenting the family histories of past residents of the house.
-maintain the grounds
-continue bringing valuable Arts programming to Somerset County
We are keeping our current fund balance on reserve to use toward the required 25% matching funding for a FEMA grant that will cover the required lifting of the house, new foundation and needed framework repair. Total project budget for the lift is $168,000. We are responsible for $42,000, with the balance being paid by FEMA via the non-profit, Somerset County Long Term Recovery. (http://www.somersetrecovery.org).
PROJECT SUMMARY: Our project will turn this endangered, unique, historic and architecturally significant farm house into a key contributor to the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland's Heritage and Tourism goals and to the broader local and national Music and Arts community.
The Nelson Homestead was recently designated one of the top 10 most important endangered sites in Maryland by Preservation Maryland, partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Our plan will bring this once beautiful property back to life by first rehabilitating the building and then making the facility available for artist retreat, music programming and heritage tourism.
We are collaborating with local agencies, providing community outreach in the form of free concert performances and educational opportunities for Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore students, young & old.
The Crisfield Heritage Foundation: “We give our full support to Mrs. Smith's plans. We believe saving the Nelson Homestead is an important project and look forward to incorporating the property into our heritage programming. The City of Crisfield and the surrounding area benefit economically and culturally if Jennifer is able to realize her goal of preserving the Nelson Homestead to become a destination center for music, writing and culture.”
The Somerset County Arts Council: “Mrs. Smith is a native of this area and therefore has a unique perspective of the potential for enrichment of both visiting artists and the interaction of artists with the people. Her plans for an arts center in an authentic homeplace setting will foster both the creativity of the artists and serve as an inspiration and center to further the folk crafts of the region.”
The Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Areas Council: "The Nelson Homestead / Wood and Stone Retreat is a very exciting project with a high probability of success. It is unique in its multiple contributions to Historic Preservation, Arts & Culture, Education and Tourism. We believe it is an important piece of the puzzle toward re-energizing the economy of Crisfield and a wonderful utilization of an existing 'at risk' Heritage resource here on the Lower Eastern Shore."
Learn More: http://www.woodandstoneretreat.com/#!nelsonhomestead/ybryr