George and John R. Hunt Memorial Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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George and John R. Hunt
Memorial Building |
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The building in 2007
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Ellenville, NY |
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| Nearest city | Kingston |
| Area | 9.9 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1917 |
| Architect | Frank E. Estabrook |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 04001481 |
| Added to NRHP | January 14, 2005 |
The George and John R. Hunt Memorial Building, also known as the Hunt Memorial Building, is a historic building in Ellenville, New York. It used to be the public library for the village. You can find it on Liberty Square, right across from the village's post office. This building is special because it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important part of history.
Contents
Building History and Purpose
How the Hunt Building Started
The Hunt Memorial Building was built in 1917. A kind person named John R. Hunt paid for it. He wanted the building to be a place for the community. It was designed by an architect named Frank Estabrook. The building has a classic style called Neoclassical architecture.
Home for the WCTU
The building first served as the local office for the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). This group worked to improve communities and promote healthy living. John R. Hunt wanted the building to have offices that could be rented out. This would help pay for the building's upkeep. He also wanted it to be a public place for everyone to use.
Changes Over the Years
A Community Hub
For many years, the Hunt Building was a key part of downtown Ellenville. It stood alongside the post office and a place called the Wayside Inn. To earn money, the WCTU rented out office spaces. They also used the public areas for events and gatherings.
The Library Moves Out
In 1975, the public library moved to a new location. This left the Hunt Building without its main tenant. Over the next 15 years, different businesses used parts of the building. However, the building started to show signs of wear and tear. Problems like leaky roofs and damaged walls made it decline. The area around it also became less busy.
Efforts to Save the Building
By the 1990s, the building's owner, Howard Hellman, decided to give it to the village. He hoped someone could buy it and bring new life to the building and downtown. But these efforts didn't work out at first.
Restoring a Historic Treasure
Local Preservation Efforts
People who cared about history in Ellenville wanted to save the building. They formed a group called the Hunt Memorial Preservation Committee. This group started raising money and planning how to fix the building. The village also created its own Historic Preservation Committee.
What's Being Fixed
Plans were made to repair the building's stone work, roof, and windows. A beautiful stained glass skylight, which was in bad shape, has already been fixed. It's being kept safe until the main room's ceiling is ready. In 2005, the building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This shows how important it is.
A Place for Everyone Again
The main goal is to bring the building back to its original purpose. It will be a mix of private offices and public spaces. This will help bring more activity back to downtown Ellenville. The building is still used for community events. These include the annual Run Like the Wind race and the Blueberry/Huckleberry Festival. It also hosts summer concerts and art shows. The Ellenville/Wawarsing Chamber of Commerce moved its office into the building in 2008.
Recent Improvements and Future Plans
Funding for Restoration
In 2015, Ulster County gave Ellenville a million dollars for various projects. About $100,000 of that money was set aside to restore the Hunt Building. Some of this money was used to strengthen the main entrance. The rest went to fixing up the inside of the building.
New Roof and More
The Hunt Memorial Building Commission is the group that manages the building. They installed a new roof. They also redid the floors and windows. Some furniture from a nearby resort was found and placed in the building. Important systems like electricity and plumbing have also been updated.
Looking Ahead
In 2017, the village board announced plans to get a large state grant. This money, along with funds already secured, will help finish renovating the first floor. Once completed, the building will have a modern kitchen. The goal is for the building to also serve as a shelter for people during emergencies.
