by Jay Lawson
The Town of Webb Historical Association (TOWHA), which has owned the historic Hemmer Cottage in Old Forge since 2002, has decided the financial costs associated with the Cottage are beyond what the association can reasonably bear.
Therefore a solution is being sought that may include the selling of the property, according to TOWHA Board of Trustees President H. Stuart deCamp.
The decision to potentially liquidate the asset was not done with haste or without extensive discussion by the Board, deCamp said in a letter to Historical Association members that was dated January 27, 2016.
In fact, several years of strategic planning ultimately brought about the decision.
The Historical Association owns the Goodsell Museum also, which houses its own operation.
The Hemmer Cottage has served as home to CAP-21, a community advocacy and support organization, which rented space in the building until its move to a new office location in the local Adirondack Bank building.
Hemmer currently holds no tenants.
“The Board has analyzed its finances and TOWHA can no longer afford to properly maintain both properties,” Stuart deCamp said.
“Rather than continue to defer maintenance and let the Hemmer building further depreciate, our hope is to find someone to purchase [it].”
DeCamp said this buyer would ideally appreciate Hemmer’s beauty and historic value and be willing to take over its preservation.
Former Historical Association Director, Gail Murray, said the plan to sell Hemmer concerns her.
The Town of Webb Historical Association came into ownership of Hemmer to serve a role of stewardship, according to Murray.
She said the understanding was that TOWHA would insure the preservation of Hemmer and not have its existence put at risk.
Selling to a private party could jeopardize the historic Hemmer building, that so many in the community had fought to save, she said.
In 2001, the Hemmer Cottage had been slated for demolition from its original Park Avenue location.
The only way to save it was to purchase it from the Town of Webb Union Free School District—which owned the property—and move it someplace else.
The community banded together with assistance from CAP-21 and the Historical Association.
Linda and Sarah Cohen donated a parcel of land at the far north end of Park Avenue, at the South Shore Road corner, to serve as Hemmer’s new location.
The property and cottage were then assigned to the Town of Webb Historical Association, as its owner and custodian.
Community fundraisers were held and donated monies and services allowed for the Cottage’s relocation.
Initial funds raised to buy the cottage and to move and establish it at its new site. These funds amounted to more than $77,000.
They resulted from a combination of grants, and monetary and in-kind donations.
Subsequent fundraising efforts included a Taste of Fulton Chain Cruise with nearly 20 area restaurants donating signature appetizers and desserts.
Sales of memorial trees, flowers and patio bricks were to be ongoing for additional landscape improvements.
Donations were also received from guided open house tours and summer historic walking tours.
Stuart deCamp said that despite everyone’s best efforts, the Cottage has put an unanticipated strain on the Association.
“In 2002, the building was moved with good intentions and we applaud the efforts of CAP-21 and the private preservation committee of volunteers. The fact that the building was saved from certain demolition and moved is to be commended,” deCamp said.
At the time of the move, however, no longer term plan or endowment was established to ensure Hemmer’s preservation or maintenance, according to deCamp.
The Historical Association formed a Preservation Commit-tee in the Spring of 2003, designating the Hemmer Cottage as its first project.
To bring revenue the Board has looked extensively at its options, deCamp said.
Complicating matters are rental restrictions, unlike those in the private sector.
Recent IRS changes and revised laws prevent the renting of Hemmer to anyone but another non-profit, according to deCamp. Doing so could jeopardize the Association’s 501(c) 3 status.
“Unfortunately, other non-profits in the area are not able to afford to pay market rent for the property and accepting below-market rent still imposes an unreasonable financial burden on TOWHA,” deCamp said.
Though these financial impositions are real and unfortunate and must be solved, they do not supersede the Historical Association’s charter, according to Gail Murray.
A grassroots community effort worked to save Hemmer Cottage, and TOWHA agreed to ensure its continued preservation.
Any solution needs to make iron-clad assurances that Hemmer will never be subject to demolition or degradation of its historic character.
Anything short of that, jeopardizes the credibility of the Historical Association as a reliable keeper of our local heritage, according to Murray.
DeCamp said selling Hemmer to an entity that would assume the role of preservation, is what the Board believes to be most feasible.
But the Board would like to hear from Historical Association members, as well, according to deCamp.
“Although we feel that this is in the best interest of the members, and the long term financial well-being of TOWHA, we would appreciate [member] input and will take it into consideration in our decision making process,” he said.
“This is an emotional issue that tends to weigh more negative than positive. Our hope is that opening up conversation will reignite interest for successful long-term planning and preservation,” deCamp said in an interview.
DeCamp said Historical Association members can send their opinions and feedback to: The Town of Webb Historical Association; P.O. Box 513; Old Forge, NY 13420.
They can also be emailed to towhadirector@gmail.com
The TOWHA board has requested that responses be received by February 26th.