Benton County Historical Society launches fundraising campaign

VINTON — Members of the Benton County Historical Society are mounting a $500,000 campaign to improve three historic buildings in Vinton.

The campaign kicked off in late December, according to Sharon Happel, president of the Benton County Historical Society.

The Ray House, Horridge House and Vinton Railroad Depot all need repairs, and the plan is to make a variety of improvements.

According to a fundraising letter, the Horridge House will have its flat roof resealed and eaves sprouts and eaves troughs replaced. New storm windows and a repaired front porch with new paint will be installed. The plan also calls for a repaired north porch and a new sidewalk by the back door.

The office ceiling, upstairs hallway, storage room, porch and bathrooms also are set to be repaired at the Horridge House. The total estimated cost is $25,200.

Repairs on the Ray House include interior work, painting, skim coating of all plastered walls and repair of fireplace tiles. This project also will include exterior repairs and painting totaling $200,000. A new sidewalk, back driveway and other repairs will total $60,000. The cost of roof work is unknown.

Finally, the Depot will have the north side of its roof replaced. Eaves sprouts and eaves troughs will be added to the entire building. Rotted wood will be scraped, painted and replaced. Sixteen metal columns will be sandblasted, primed and painted.

In addition, the model train room, main room, both bathroom's ceilings and walls will be replaced. The total estimated cost of this project is $25,200, according to the Benton County Historical Society.

So far, the Historical Society has received private donations, Happel said. The plan is to host programs and look for grants to raise additional money, she said. The Historical Society also will approach corporate sponsors or possible donors.

The plan is to raise the money over a five-year period.

'I feel that they're a nice representation of Vinton from that time period,' Happel said of the three historic buildings. 'The Depot was built in 1900; the Horridge House was built in 1865 by a local businessman and the Ray House was built in 1894 by a local businessman.

'They're not a static moment in history. We feel that they're pertinent to today because they get used by the public and we want to have them used even more by the public to try and keep Vinton's history alive.'

How to help To contribute to the Benton County Historical Society's fundraising campaign, contact Sharon Happel at 

sharonhappel@gmail.com