(rshsdepot) Columbia, PA

["Jim Dent" <james.dent_@_itochu.com>]

From Eastern Railroad News...

FORMER READING RAILROAD FREIGHT HOUSE RESTORED...

The von Hess Foundation, a non-profit organization in Columbia,
Pennsylvania, recently underwent a half-million restoration project of the
old Reading and Columbia Railroad Freight Building on Bank Avenue in
Columbia. The building will be used by the Columbia Foundation for Historic
Preservation (CFHP) as a repository for historic architectural materials,
Lancaster County's first architectural warehouse of this type.

The freight building is located directly behind Wright's Ferry Mansion, the
early 18th century home of Susanna Wright, and sits on land that was part of
100 acres purchased by Wright in 1726. The von Hess Foundation purchased the
building and the land on which it sits in the 1980s to protect that tract of
land from further industrial use.

The year-long restoration was completed this fall and an agreement has been
established between the two foundations to operate the building as a
repository. The von Hess Foundation was presented with a Philanthropy in
Preservation award in November by the Historic Preservation Trust of
Lancaster County for restoring the once-condemned freight house, and for
ensuring the "adaptive reuse" of the building.

The project "was initiated because it (the building) was in very bad
condition and something had to be done," said Meg Schaefer, curator of the
Wright's Ferry Mansion. The project was a "use-determined type of
restoration" because the von Hess Foundation wanted to restore the building
as simply as possible, but continue to use it as a warehouse, said Schaefer.

"There's a need for an architectural bank because architectural elements can
easily be lost," said Schaefer, referring to items such as fireplace
mantles, doors, windows, wood trim, balusters, and hardware which are items
that will be housed in a safe, dry place in the warehouse. Items like these
are large and hard to store and often end up being destroyed because
homeowners do not have the resources to properly dispose of architectural
items. It is the desire of both foundations to preserve as many items as
possible through the repository.

"This is going to be premiere," said Cleon Berntheizel, CFHP member. Not
only will the building serve as the only warehouse of its type in the
county, it will help the borough preserve pieces the CFHP feels should stay
in the county.

The Borough of Columbia itself has a wealth of architectural resources, and
members of CFHP are hoping that as people purchase and renovate houses, they
look to them and the warehouse as a place to donate and purchase items. "It
is the foundation's hope that this will start changing the architectural
aspect of the town. I see this as a huge positive for Columbia," said
Berntheizel.

Right now, the building is virtually empty, containing just a few doors and
old Columbia store front windows, but Berntheizel said it will take a while
to accumulate a stockpile of materials. He hopes for a building dedication
in early spring. Those who wish to view items in the repository must make an
appointment with CFHP members, who will match homeowners' needs. Inventory
will also be cataloged on a computer in the future, so homeowners may view
items via the Internet. Anyone making a donation must first have the items
approved by the CFHP.

The building has been restored to its original appearance. Pennsylvania
slate was used to restore the original slate roof, bronze snow guards were
added, windows that were boarded over were opened and glass was replaced.
Old bricks were used and stone from the original quarry was used to repair
the foundation, said Schaefer. Some of the original hardware was still in
the building, and where it needed replaced, period hardware was used.

The building, built in 1882, was used by the railroad to store coal and
lumber shipments during the height of the railroad days. According to
Schaefer, the building was constructed entirely by Columbia workers. It was
designed by Philadelphia architect Frank Furness in 1879, renowned for his
many railroad building designs, whose style became known as "P&R Gothic,"
said Schaefer.

Furness's original drawings of the passenger station, which stood near the
freight building but has been destroyed, were used to reconstruct the
freight building's chimney. The building has been painted in the railroad's
"official colors" of beige and olive and a sign with the building's name
with the original lettering will be installed.

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