2010 PROJECT
The capital development plan developed in 2008 is being implemented in phases as funding becomes available. Phase III will be completed in 2010 and will include an outdoor bathroom or privy and, if funding allows, a water fountain. We are also going to have a dry sink constructed for the 1840s kitchen and will purchase a cook stove for the 1860s kitchen. We will probably do some archaeology in the area where the privy will be located as we will be digging and installing a concrete septic tank. A period outhouse building will be placed over the tank. The privy is needed for visiting school children and for our volunteer interpreters and the visiting public during summer living history open houses.
We have narrowed the search for an 1850s or 60s cook stove. The Bryant Stove Company in Thorndyke, Maine has a restored 1866 stove for sale for $2,800. We would still like to find one locally for less money, but will consider the Bryant stove if we don't.
The dry sink will be a reproduction patterned after an original 1840s dry sink. It will be constructed by Riley Milburn of Brockton, Illinois. Riley has done most of the restoration work done on the Five Mile House over the past years. Proposed 2010 projects are as follows:
Period privy and outhouse building 2,500
Water fountain 2,500
Reproduction Dry Sink 500
1860s Cook Stove 2,800
Herb Garden donated
TOTAL $8,300
The new privy may be located where the old one stands. The old one will be dismantled. The area in the foreground where the bricks are located will be the site of the new herb garden which will be planted this spring by the FMH garden committee and the Master Gardeners. Lumber, soil and some plants are being donated by Home Depot. Other plants will be donated by various Master Gardeners.
2009 PROJECT
Phase II of the over all capital project was addressed in 2009. Funding allowed for installation of new electric panels, burying the electric lines (which will be completed this spring, installation of a period style security light and purchase of a decorative bench and trash receptacle (which will also be completed this spring). The mail electrical panel was mounted on the back of a wooden panel. One of the new interpretive signs will be mounted on the front side (see photographs below). Funding levels did not allow for the installation of an outdoor bathroom or a water fountain. We narrowed the search for an 1850s or 60s cook stove. The Bryant Stove Company in Thorndyke, Maine has a restored 1866 stove for sale for $2,800. We would still like to find one locally for less money, but will consider the Bryant stove if we don't.
One project that we hadn't planned on was conducting Ground Penetrating Radar. This came about when Steven DiNaso of the Geology/Geography Dept. at EIU visited a summer living history open house where we were demonstrating dowsing for historic features on the Five Mile House grounds. Steven subsequently worked with Vince Gutowski at EIU and Harvey Henson of SIU to conduct the GPR on October 3rd looking for radar evidence of outbuilding foundations, wells, cellars and other historical features. Results are expected by April and will tell us what archaeological resources are present at the Five Mile House.
A summary of work completed in 2009 is as follows:
Bury electric lines and complete electric work 4,500
Installation of a period looking security light 1,200
Decorative bench and trash receptacle 1,200
Ground Penetrating Radar 2,500
TOTAL $9,400
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Left - Webb Electric employee Shannon Cloyd did most of the electrical work. One of the new interpretive signs will be mounted on the large wood panel. Third photo shows the pole and overhead lines that will soon be removed. The historic-style security light was specially ordered.
Above - the new electric boxes can be seen mounted on the back of the wooden panel where they won't be very visible. 100 amp service runs to the Five Mile House and the service to the Eaton House has been increased to 200 amp. In the picture on the right, a new 1840s secretary was purchased during 2009 for a sign in desk and to house the flat screen TV that shows the Five Mile House orientation film.
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Decorative concrete aggregate trash receptacle and bench are on order and will be installed this spring. Interpretive signs were delayed for installation of the wood panel. |
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2008 PROJECT
In 2008, the Five Mile House Foundation embarked on a capital improvement project designed to add a 5-6 car parking lot, sidewalk, handicap accessible ramp and other visitor amenities to the site. We had hoped to complete the whole project during the year, but we did not get hoped for grant funding. So, the project is being done in phases with the parking lot and sidewalks being done in 2008 and further work being planned for 2009. See the 2008 Project Plan for more detailed information.
Parking Lot - A 5-6 car parking lot was completed in 2008. It was donated by Gary and Diane Cole through Ne Co Asphalt Company. It is oil and chip using brown gravel to simulate a soil surface. The lot actually accommodated 8 or more cars during one of the open houses.
Before any work After the base had been laid but not yet oil & chipped.
Sidewalks - The goal was to create a simulated brick side walk, but lesser funds necessitated just pouring the concrete base. A half inch simulated brick overlay can be added later or actual bricks could be added. The concrete was poured as exposed aggregate where the gravel in the concrete is exposed, giving it less of a concrete appearance in the interim. Posts were also set for the handicap access ramp which will be completed this spring. Work was done by contractor Ray Carr.
Ray Carr puts the finishing touches on the handicap accessible ramp on the east side of the Five Mile House.