Progress - Archive

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

October 2004 - Tuckpointing
A "Tuckpointing Ceremony" saluting the start of restoration for the Spaulding Center for Transportation was held October 22. "Considering the buildings are already there and date from the1890’s, it just didn’t seem right to call it a groundbreaking," said Executive Director John Swanson. It was a great turnout and an opportunity for many to see what has already been accomplished.


PROJECT UPDATE

September 2004 Eureka! Spaulding Auto heads
home at last
A 1913 Spaulding touring car will return home to Grinnell later this month. Well, 60 percent of a Spaulding motor car to be precise.

It is in pieces and will require extensive restoration which could cost $75,000. But to representatives of the Iowa Transportation Museum, the long-sought Spaulding -- more complete than any known to exist -- is purely "priceless".

The Spaulding Company which, in its heyday, at the turn of the last century produced 10,000 buggies a year and was Poweshiek County's largest employer manufactured just 1,481 automobiles from 1910 to 1916.

Extensive research failed to locate a model more complete than this one contained in a set of boxes which, for the time being, will be placed in secure storage.

To view complete article, click here.

September 2004 Building Stabilization Underway
In mid-September construction crews began the process of building stabilization at the Spaulding site. This is the first step in making the buildings tight, dry and safe to use. With funds already acquired we are concentrating on roof and wall repairs. When completed, 90% of the 125,000 square feet of usable space will be protected from further water damage.

As part of our master planning process the decision was made to address the most critical building stabilization issues and then beginning restoring and developing the buildings in the following sequence

1. Administration Building, ultimately to be a Conference-Welcome Center plus housing the Gift Shop, offices and portions of the Research Library

2. East Building, to be the primary site(s) for the Museum and the Restoration Laboratory

3. West Building, designated a multi-purpose site kept flexible to permit long-term growth potential for the museum. In the short-term it will include a mix of commercial and non-commercial activities. Income producing areas would include extended-stay lodging suites and archival storage space for other organizations.

The next phase of constructiuon, preservation and development of the Administration Building is scheduled to begin in January 2005.