TROY — A museum that lost several artifacts to a fire in December has now finished the first phase of its restoration.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, the Overfield Tavern Museum in Troy lost several artifacts in a fire last December, but in the first phase of restoring the building, everything of historical significance has been retrieved, and wooden beams were put in place to stabilize the building.
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Executive Director of Overfield Tavern Museum Chris Manning said the next two phases of the restoration process could take a couple of years.
Since finishing phase one, Manning said it’s been quiet around the museum, but soon experts will be coming to the building to prepare the site.
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“We are going to be working with a historic architect to come up with plans, a guiding document called a Historic Structure Report, which will help us decide how best to approach the restoration,” Manning said.
Manning said it’s important for them to preserve the building for the community of Troy.
“It belongs to the community. It’s where Troy was founded more than 200 years ago,” Manning said.
Despite the loss of several artifacts, Manning said they were able to save some intriguing pieces.
“Doctor Isaac Coleman’s pocket gold pocket watch was saved. We had some textiles that miraculously survived the flames,” Manning said.
Manning showed News Center 7’s Mason Fletcher the original door frame of the museum that they wouldn’t have known was there without the fire.
Manning said phase two of the restoration will be for research and phase three will be for continued restoration work. The whole process may not wrap till 2027, as reported on News Center 7.
“We want to have a vision in place. So, when we start reaching out to the local community, they have an idea of what we plan for this building,” Manning said.
Manning said funding is coming from a mix of grants. The museum has received donations, including $75,000 from the city of Troy and a $500,000 insurance check.
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