The Greentown Grapevine – 2001-02, 08:02

              Volume 8, Issue 2 " a paperfor the people" February 2001
Historical Society Purchases Building
The Greentown Historical Society
made a little history of its own on
January 16,2001, when they took title
on the building at 103 E. Main St. in
Greentown. The exact date of
construction of the building is not yet
known, however & om photographs and
memory, it is known that it was a bank
in 1906, then at various times, City
Barber Shop, Gallion & Lee, George
Gallion & Son, Frank Turner Gas &
Oil, Red Keith Pool Hall, Bill Voorhis
Pool Hall, part of State Bank of
Greentown, Production Credit
Association office, Hartley's Video
Store, Home Health Care office. It has
been vacant for about three years. The
upper floorwas once the meeting room
and dining hall of the Eastern Star and
later the meeting room of the
Greentown Jaycees. The Historical
Society welcomes any other
information on the history of the
building.
A search for a property began about
one year ago when sentiment from the
community was expressed for a
location at which people could come
and learn about local history. The
Greentown Glass Museum is known for
tb outstanding accomplishment of
telling the story of Greentown Glass,
but the focus of that museum is,
correctly, centered around the glass
industry. Several locations were
investigated. The property at 103 E.
Main was deemed to be of a
manageable size for a fledgling
organization. It had the added appeal
of being of sufficient historical integrity
to qualify for a loan from Historic
Landmarks Foundation, Inc. The
interest rate from that organization was
very appealing. An offer to purchase
was made to the owner, Earl Shane,
and hopes were high.
It was then that the fact that part of
the building's interesting past involved
being a gas station put the brakes on
the deal. A Phase I Environmental
Review was completed at the expense
of the Historical Society. As the
presence of gasoline tanks could
neither be' proven nor disproven, a
Phase I1 study was called for. This is
where the Town of Greentown stepped
in and assisted with getting a state grant
to do the necessary sampling. The
sampling confirmed the existence of
some underground petroleum, but
absolved any owner of the building
from liability.
begun. Now we need to raise finds to
repay the mortgage and do extensive
renovation to the building. It needs a
new roof, plumbing, heating and
cooling, wiring, in other words, about
everything." The Town has generously
donated $ 10,000 toward the renovation.
The Community Foundation of Howard
County has pledged over $ 5,000
specifically toward the exterior
renovation. This is to be matched,
dollar for dollar, by donations. Other
pledges of labor and materials have
been made. These will be announced
at the appropriate time.
Exact plans for utilization of the
building have not been finalized. Its
space limitation does not allow it to be
a comprehensive museum. The
amount and types of exhibits will need
to be carefully considered.
C,...,
NQ Glass Festival in 2001
There will not be a Greentown
Glass Festival in June 2001. Jane
Porter, who chaired the event for the
past three years said, " I am just not
physically able to do it again." The
results of the survey conducted by the
Town Council were. mlxed, but with a
majority expressing a desire for
dropping of the festival or at least some
changes. Town Council president,
Roger Wolfe, said, " As late in the year
as it is now, I do not believe there is
enough time to adequately plan for a
festival. I doubt the Council would
approve the use of the streets this year."
He added that if another organization
stepped fonvard* and wished to plan for
2002, the Council would welcome
.
ideas.
It should be made very clear,
however, that what will be absent this
year is the parade, the booths, food,
carnival, and entertainment in the
downtown area. The Antiques Show
and Sale will be held as usual at the
High School. The Norris Insurance
Run will continue. The Glass Museum
will be open. The NGGA auction and
annual meeting will take place. The
Greentown Volunteer Fire Co. Ladies
Auxiliary will have a hog roast. Other
organizations may choose to have
events on that weekend and there may
be an abundance of yard sales. So
there will still be many reasons to come
to Greentown .