Members of Friends of the Gingerbread House place pilings for porch reconstruction
Gingerbread House in original location with two-story porch
NORWAY — The Norway group, Friends of the Gingerbread House, has received a grant of $9000 from The 1772 Foundation in partnership with Maine Preservation. Together with an earlier grant of $20,000 from the Davis Family Foundation, this will allow the continued construction of the large one-story porch, which will traverse the street side of the house. This project will be the final step in the exterior rehabilitation of the Gingerbread House, as outlined in its preservation plan. The landmark building has been saved and preserved with individual contributions from the community, as well as grants from local foundations. All the work has been completed by local artisans, businesses, and craftspeople.
The original porch, with its notable gingerbread trim, was once one of the most distinctive features of the landmark house. When the house was moved down Norway’s Main St. in 2011, the deteriorated porch had to be removed. Pieces of it were saved. The new porch, which is modeled on the old one, will be constructed by Mark Grover, using both new and salvaged materials. It will be one story high and stretch across the front of the building.
Norway Landmarks Preservation (DBA Friends of the Gingerbread House) is beginning its spring appeal aimed at matching The 1772 Foundation grant and enabling the final construction of the porch. The group is approaching past benefactors and planning an Open House on Saturday, July 8. When the porch is constructed, finishing the exterior rehabilitation, the group plans a community event to celebrate and appreciate the effort that has made the project possible.
The Friends of the Gingerbread House is currently in consultation with Maine Preservation, which has contracted to serve as sponsor to monitor easements on the building in perpetuity, protecting the integrity of the work that has been accomplished in preserving the building.
Those interested in donating or finding out more information about this project can contact Friends of the Gingerbread House, PO Box 525, Norway ME 04268, or check out the website http://gingerbreadhousenorway.org, or visit the Open House on July 8, from 10-1.
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