The Nelson Homestead / Wood and Stone Retreat
The Nelson Homestead / Wood and Stone Retreat is not currently accepting donations through Fractured Atlas. Please contact The Nelson Homestead / Wood and Stone Retreat with any questions.
The Nelson Homestead / Wood and Stone Retreat
Our project is turning this endangered and historically significant farm house into a key contributor to the Arts and preserving a piece of Maryland's history.
Crisfield, MD, US
- $4,807 raised of $25,000 goal
- 27 donations
- -4127276 minutes left
Fiscally Sponsored by Fractured Atlas
Update on The Nelson HomesteadHello Everyone, Thank you so much for your faith in, and enthusiasm for, this project. There has been an administrative delay in the loop between the County grant recipient (Somerset County Long Term Recovery Committee), MEMA and FEMA that would grant us an extension of the July 30, 2018 work completion date required by FEMA. I spoke with the representative at MEMA last week and was told there is no way to know if or when we will be granted an extension. You may remember that the FEMA grant was supposed to have come through by early 2017 but was delayed due to a mis-filing at one of the agencies. It appears that a timely filing for an extention was overlooked. So, I have had to take the contractors off of their planned schedule, since they would not be able to complete the work by July 30. We are left to wait to see if the County grant recipient is awarded an extension for our work. In the meantime, I'm looking at alternative scope of work options and budgets for the house in the event that we are unable to access FEMA funding. I'd like to ask if you'd be willing to allow your contributions to sit at our non-profit fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas, for a couple of months until we have a plan. In the event I'm not able to move forward, I'd like to offer those who contributed the options of:
Fractured Atlas charges a fee for refunds, but not for re-donating. We had already started prep work for the house raise before this pause - stabilizing the driveway for large trucks, 2 trees removed and demolishing the cistern and addition on the back of the house ($7,450). This week I have a carpenter coming out to wrap the exposed back of the house to protect it from the weather ($700). Photos at http://www.woodandstoneretreat.com/nelsonhomestead I hope to have either notification from FEMA, or an alternate plan, by August. In the meantime, let me know your thoughts and how you'd like me to handle your recent contribution. You can imagine my frustration and disappointment. I think everyone involved will be feeling the same, but know that I am working hard to stay the course. Thanks for your understanding, Jen Smith 410-882-1606 |
The Nelson Homestead has been standing on this beautiful landscape for over 150 years. It’s ownership history is fascinating, including Schooner captains, watermen, entrepreneurs and a WWII undercover intelligence operative who also happened to be a famous opera singer. The architectural detail and construction are one of a kind. In 2014 The Nelson Homestead was declared one of the top 10 most important endangered historic properties in Maryland by Preservation Maryland, a partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Nelson Homestead has been in my family for over half a century. My name is Jen Smith. My husband Scott and I have been full time songwriters/musicians since 1991. In 2014 I took on this project to restore the Nelson Homestead and re-purpose it for Artist Retreat, Heritage Tourism and Arts & Education Programming. With lots of hard work and overwhelming support from our friends, families and the broader community we have come so far! We've complete Phase I including:
- Hiring engineers for perc testing, elevation survey, geo/soil reports, architectural engineers reports & certificates as required prior to work.
- Bringing historic carpenters and masonry specialists, along with preservation consultants, to do inspections and scope of work guidance.
- Repairing and resurface the almost impassable driveway.
- Removing dead trees and overgrowth from around the house.
- Capping and flashing the chimneys and waterproof the roof.
- Installing outdoor temporary electric panel.
- Capping off broken plumbing inside house.
- Restoring the graveyard with the help of UMES honors students, historian Joe Paden and the Anderson family.
- Beginning researching and documenting the family histories of past residents of the house.
- Creating an Arts & Education Program (2015 - present) that has allowed us to build wonderful collaborative relationships and relevance within the local community, municipal agencies and non-profits in the region.
- Creating a scope of work for Phase II.
So, here’s what’s happening now and why I really need your help:
We have been approved for Federal Funding that will make it possible to begin PHASE II - Lifting the house, re-grading the yard to a sloping rise, building a new foundation, repairing damaged timber framework and setting the house back down on solid footing at an elevation that will protect it from water damage. The contracting team is in place and ready to start May 7!
Total Phase II Project Budget: $175.000
The grant covers 75% or: $131,250
My required matching funds due in 40 days: $43,750
Our goal is to raise $25,000 in the next 30 days to be put towards required matching funds. We'd like you to know that we have already raised $8,000 this month, prior to launching this campaign, and that amount will not be reflected on our campaign balance.
For all of you who are intrigued by the magic of old houses, who love the Chesapeake Bay Region and it's history, who are inspired and uplifted by the Arts - or, all of the above- I hope you'll consider joining the team with a contribution that will allow us to take advantage of the federal funding available. Your help is the key to completing Phase II with the strength and sustainability to continue to move forward. Thank you, sincerely, for taking time to give this a look and consider a cash donation. If you can't make a donation at this time, we understand! Some of the most important pieces of success so far have been your ideas, introductions, labor and materials donations. Feel free to contact me directly any time.
Please share with those you think would be interested in our project. THANK YOU!!!
Total Phase II Project Budget: $175.000
The grant covers 75% or: $131,250
My required matching funds due in 40 days: $43,750
Our goal is to raise $25,000 in the next 30 days to be put towards required matching funds. We'd like you to know that we have already raised $8,000 this month, prior to launching this campaign, and that amount will not be reflected on our campaign balance.
For all of you who are intrigued by the magic of old houses, who love the Chesapeake Bay Region and it's history, who are inspired and uplifted by the Arts - or, all of the above- I hope you'll consider joining the team with a contribution that will allow us to take advantage of the federal funding available. Your help is the key to completing Phase II with the strength and sustainability to continue to move forward. Thank you, sincerely, for taking time to give this a look and consider a cash donation. If you can't make a donation at this time, we understand! Some of the most important pieces of success so far have been your ideas, introductions, labor and materials donations. Feel free to contact me directly any time.
Please share with those you think would be interested in our project. THANK YOU!!!
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"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."
-- The Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Areas Council
“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.”
“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 Crisfield Heritage Foundation
"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 Somerset County Arts Council
Rewards
Our Bundle of Joyful Things
Donate $2,500.00 or more
Amount over $125.00 is tax-deductible.
- The official dessert of the State of Maryland - The Smith Island Cake. 9 layers! - It's really the best cake I've ever had. We'll contact you to find out which flavor you'd like and where you want it shipped (from www.smithislandcake.com).
- A copy of the Lee Child & Naked Blue album coming out November 2, 2018, autographed by Scott and I, and best selling author Lee Child.
- 4 free tickets to any one of our upcoming performances through 2019.
- From Bridge to Boardwalk, An Audio Journey Across Maryland's Eastern Shore (If you want to get to know Maryland's real Eastern Shore, this CD collection booklet is packed with short essays that speak to traditions that have given this once isolated peninsula its own unique character, its own speech patterns, its own sense of being and belonging. Penned by folklorists and community scholars, the essays give the reader an insider's view of Shore culture.
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Digital Box Set - Best of Naked Blue
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Get a digital download bundle of our 25 personal favorite tunes from the last 6 albums
4 claimed
Need cello on your next recording?
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount over $100.00 is tax-deductible.
Everything is better with strings! If you've got a song you're in the process of recording and would like to add cello, hit me up.
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Tour of Nelson Homestead and trip to Smith Island (for 2)
Donate $500.00 or more
Amount over $52.00 is tax-deductible.
Visit the house, grounds and graveyard, then hop on a boat for a 45 minute Chesapeake Bay cruise to Smith Island. We can discuss when you'd like to schedule, but trips will need to be AFTER September 1, 2018 and before October 14th, 2018. You can also choose dates between May and October, 2019.
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