Moving Epler’s Schoolhouse to the Berks County Heritage Center was just a first step for the grassroots group that saved the building from demolition a little more than four years ago.
Since then, the Friends of Epler’s Schoolhouse has worked to restore the structure, built in 1847. But despite the extensive renovations, there is much to be done.
The group recently got a jump on that effort, thanks to another preservation-focused organization, the Society for the Preservation of the Gruber Wagon Works.
The private foundation supports the historic wagon works, also on the county park grounds in Bern Township.
The Friends were surprised by the grant, said Jane Goetz, chairwoman of the group, and earmarked the funds for two significant projects: windows restoration and masonry repair in the rear gable.
“We knew the windows had to be a priority because they were in really bad shape,” Goetz said. “And if we didn’t get them done, we weren’t going to be able to save any of the wood.”
Barry L Kauffman, a trustee of the wagon works foundation, said when the trustees learned of the Friends’ need, they decided to help.
The donation was permitted under the terms of the foundation’s charter, he said, and benefits the wagon works peripherally.
“What better way to attract people to the Gruber Wagon Works and Heritage Center, than by having a neighbor that also attracts people to the park,” he said.
Kauffman said supporting the preservation of the schoolhouse building is also fitting in light of the fact that Frank Gruber, the last operator of the works, had two daughters who were schoolteachers.
One of them, Elsie Gruber, taught Kauffman in high school and became a mentor and grandmother figure to him, he said. They formed the foundation together after the wagon works was moved in the winter of 1976-77 from its original location near Mount Pleasant by the Army Corps of Engineers.
The donation was made in her memory.
“We look at it as being partners,” Kauffman said of the Friends. “We are at the Heritage Center with them; we’re both attractions. We can help each other out.”
Goetz said she and the Friends were surprised and thrilled by the donation.
“I always knew we were good neighbors, but this is over-the-top being neighborly” she said. “We’re like a team there at the Heritage Center. We had a bond before, but now it’s a real special bond since they’ve taken care of us.”
Goetz said the window repair is well underway, and the group hopes it can be finished before the weather turns too cold.
The masonry repair will probably have to wait until spring, she said.
Source: Berkshire mont
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