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Lawrence County Museum asks commissioners for help replacing historic roof
Summary
At the Feb. 24 meeting, Sue Luntz of the Lawrence County Museum Historical Society asked the commissioners for financial help or grants to repair a storm-damaged 1870 roof, saying historically appropriate materials and labor would be costly and that the group has not yet obtained contractor bids.
Sue Luntz, representing the Lawrence County Museum Historical Society, asked the commissioners on Feb. 24 for help repairing storm damage to the museum's roof and for support with historically appropriate gutters and downspouts.
Luntz said storms last fall tore part of the roof off a building constructed in 1870 and that keeping the structure historically accurate requires more expensive materials and work. "We just can't afford it," she said, asking for a grant, county funds or other assistance so the museum can continue to operate and host school groups and exhibits. She emphasized the museum's educational role and upcoming centennial celebrations tied to local landmarks.
Commissioners asked whether the museum had cost estimates; Luntz said no contractor had examined the roof yet because icy conditions prevented inspections. The chair asked Luntz to provide any cost information when available, saying that data would help the board consider funding options. One commissioner suggested county staff reach out to large roof contractors and post the request on the county's Facebook page to seek donations or discounted work. The board did not vote on any funding at the meeting and took the request under advisement.
The museum representative said planned events for the year (including a historical walk and displays) make repairing the roof a near-term priority. Commissioners encouraged Luntz to follow up with cost estimates and thanked museum volunteers for their stewardship of local history.
