Just over a year ago, the Pea Ridge Historical Society leased the S.E.E.K. Building from the Pea Ridge Schools. The little white building on the downtown school campus, also known to earlier generations as the Old Lunchroom, to develop a Pea Ridge School Heritage Center.
The vision for preserving and developing the early 1900s building included establishing a headquarters for the Historical Society, preserving and communicating the history of Pea Ridge schools, providing meeting spaces for civic clubs and other community organizations, and providing space for small family gatherings such as anniversary celebrations, birthday parties and the like.
Recent years have taken a toll on the exterior siding and other woodwork on the old building. So rather than allow the facility’s woodwork to endure another winter in an exposed and vulnerable condition, the Historical Society took out a loan in order to go forward with needed exterior renovations to bring the building to a secure and durable condition. Society officers contracted with Gary Brown and Brogar Construction Co. for the exterior work, and significant progress has been made on the project during the last two weeks of November.
Deteriorated rafters and wood siding have been replaced, roof water drainage has been improved, windows have been sealed and secured, and the entire building’s exterior blocks and siding have been sealed and painted. Significantly, the original east and west gables of the oldest part of the building were preserved; the old original siding there has endured the years better than the siding on newer parts of the building.
Community uses of the building have continued to grow through the summer and fall of 2012. Most recently, the Beta Alpha Sorority hosted those involved with the Pea Ridge Christmas Parade to hot chocolate and goodies at the Heritage Center after the parade and Christmas lighting downtown. The sorority recently began holding its regular meetings at the center, joining the Pea Ridge Historical Society, the Pea Ridge High School Alumni Association and the Pea Ridge Lions Club as regular users.
Several families have held birthday parties during the summer and fall, andother family gatherings are anticipated in December.
To arrange to hold an event at the Heritage Center, contact Augusta Bradley at 685-0517.
The renovation project has not focused on restoring the Heritage Center to original condition, but numerous older features have been - or will be - renewed. Examples are the serving window between the kitchen and the main room, recalling the years from the 1930s to 1960s when the building was the school lunch room. Also, several of the original windows which had been boarded over have been uncovered and restored.
Originally, during its years as the school shop, the building had a large double door at the west end of the main room. The opening was later filled in with concrete blocks. In a stillto-be-completed project, a remembrance of that door will be created, though not a restored opening.
In October, the Historical Society set a goal of raising $5,000 to go toward the Heritage Center Renovation Project. It is hoped that much of this funding can be raised by direct donations from graduates of Pea Ridge schools and from other interested people and businesses. A special account to receive donations for the Heritage Center Renovation has been set up at Arvest Bank of Pea Ridge, and donations may be dropped off at the bank. Donations may also be mailed to Pea Ridge Historical Society, P.O. Box 276, Pea Ridge, Ark., 72751-0276. To date, donations have reached a total of $1,468. Every donation toward the Renovation Project is appreciated, however large or small.
News, Pages 1 on 12/12/2012