Weathering criticism last year about restoration material on a historic art gallery building in Gorham, the University of Southern Maine now appears to be near completion of the project.
Meanwhile, another classic building on campus is showing wear.
When the restoration is completed, the job will be reviewed likely by the state to determine whether the 1821 art gallery would continue to maintain its historic status on a federal list.
With the art gallery restoration nearing its end, maintenance issues of the old Gorham Academy arose this week when a Gorham resident examined the historic building’s exterior and determined it needs some work.
“This building is part of the family and culture of Maine and it needs some help,” Adam Ogden, a history researcher, said Monday.
Both the art gallery and the Gorham Academy building, which opened in 1806 as a tuition school, have long been in the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of Interior. The academy was built with grant money from Massachusetts before Maine became a state.
The university, which is experiencing financial woes, has no immediate maintenance plans for the academy building. Christopher Quint, university spokesman, did not respond to requests for comment by the American Journal deadline on Wednesday.
In a May email, Quint said, “We may be adding a hand rail to the exterior rear landing. Other than that we have no plans for other maintenance on the Academy Building.”
The university’s Art Department also uses the academy building, which is under a 999-year lease to the state by an academy board of trustees now likely defunct.
Ogden, a former Cumberland public works director, a year ago pointed to issues with the university’s restoration plans for the art gallery that included replacing stripped vintage clapboards with vinyl siding.
The plan triggered a public outcry. Then, work was temporarily halted when preservationists statewide converged on the Gorham campus, meeting with university officials.
The university agreed to a plan to proceed and scrapped the vinyl idea, instead installing wooden clapboards on the art gallery.
Now, the state of the academy building has cropped up after Ogden on Monday reviewed it, noting its architectural features along with areas where it needs repairs. Under terms of the lease academy trustees signed in 1909, the university now has responsibility to make repairs while maintaining its same architectural design.
Inspecting the exterior, Ogden found some wood siding decay and peeling paint.
“They need to do a decent scraping like any responsible homeowner would do,” Ogden said.
On the front of the academy that faces School Street, Ogden noticed some rotting boards and suspected water was leaking into the wall, making it “ripe” for carpenter ants.
Ogden said Tuesday his research revealed that original granite steps are covered over by wooden steps, which are in disrepair.
“How you enter a building is telling of a culture and its values,” Ogden said.
Holes in the earth under those steps appear to indicate that animals have burrowed underneath.
Reviewing a base of a column, Ogden said, “This one is rotting.”
Ogden praised the academy building’s cupola on the roof that houses a bell and the ornate woodwork that remains on the building. He said original windows have been replaced, but the three fanlights on the academy’s front are originals as is the front door.
“The detail on this is beautiful,” Ogden said about the building.
He noted that the quoins on both front corners have been replaced, but are not exact replicas of the two originals on rear corners. A stonewall on the easterly side of the lot is caving in.
A corrugated, steel building that Ogden said the university erected in 2012 appears to be sitting on the academy lot. The Maine Legislature, Ogden feels, could have the power for action to repopulate the academy’s board of trustees to ensure the university abides by stipulations in the lease agreement.
Ogden said the academy building needs an objective review by an agency like Greater Portland Landmarks and a priority list developed to deal with problems.
“This family member needs a budget for maintenance,” Ogden said.
Gorham resident and history researcher Adam Ogden on Monday examines a front corner at the old Gorham Academy that opened 209 years ago. Today, the landmark is utilized by the University of Southern Maine.Staff photo by Robert Lowell
Adam Ogden, a history researcher, examines Monday the base of a column at the old Gorham Academy that opened 209 years ago. Today, the landmark is utilized by the University of Southern Maine.Staff photo by Robert Lowell
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