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08/02/2022 01:00 PMKILLINGWORTH
The Killingworth Historical Society (KHS) broke ground on their new barn and museum at the Parmelee Farm last week, and members said they hope to have construction completed by October. The building is an important addition to the property, according to KHS members, as it will provide for an enhanced ability to present the artifacts and history of Killingworth to the public.
The organization moved a garage on the property last week to make room for the 36 x 34 foot 1 1/2 story structure, which according to members, will permit the organization to more fully display their collection. KHS President Ken Wodatch said he was very excited about the progress and eagerly awaiting the public opening.
“We’ve been talking about this and raising funds for this for some time. So now that it’s here, this is really exciting,” said Wodatch. “For a small group of just 15 people on the Board, they all have really put their shoulder to the wheel to make this happen for the last four years and really pushed forward.”
According to Wodatch, proceeds from a concert hosted by the Lions Club were donated to KHS, and those funds put fundraising over the top.
"We are very grateful and excited about this project,“ Wodatch said.
Wodatch said the barn facility will be a valuable asset to both the organization and the community. According to Wodatch, the Society’s storage capacity reached its limits years ago, and to properly and constructively display their collection, the organization desperately needed another space.
“Killingworth is very unique. It is an agricultural community, and we actually have a tremendous amount of records for the town,” Wodatch explained. “Most agricultural towns like us, can’t get past 1900 or so, but we have cemetery records, and deeds, and records at the town hall, but there really is quite a bit of information.”
“Right now, there are some rooms that are so crowded that you couldn’t even walk through them, and we continue to collect,” Wodatch added. “We have some larger pieces, a corn husker and an original Killingworth wagon, and we have the original Killingworth Town hearse, which has been restored. So, we can’t really display these properly because we just don’t have the room.”
KHS was also in need of meeting and work space, Wodatch said, noting that the increased square footage of the aded barn allows for more flexibility.
“This will allow us to use more of the farm house as a museum and study space. This really makes for a perfect spot for the structure.”
Wodatch also praised the help of the Killingworth Lions who have assisted with a number of projects for the KHS.
“We have been the beneficiary of Lions funds for years to some extent, and we have always been grateful to them for their support” said Wodatch. “This will allow us to expand our campus and help us fulfill our mission. There will be much more of a campus feel to the property.”
Lions member Richard Clare said he and the other Lions were proud to be part of the effort to preserve the town’s history, and also to be able to provide the means to allow the public to benefit.
“It is such an important part of the town. It really is in many ways the center of town. It is very exciting to finally stick a shovel in the ground,” said Clare. “I remember way back, when this was just an abandoned farm house, so have it turned into such a center for hiking, conservation, and for history. Everyone associated with the farm did an incredible job, and the town should be proud of this accomplishment.”
KHS does not receive any money from town resources and did not utilize any public grants for the project, Wodatch said. All of the funds raised came from private donations and proceeds from fundraising events, according to Wodatch. He also praised the public’s support of the project.
“We want to thank everyone who supported us and everyone who donated,” said Wodatch. “We hope to have the open house by the end of September and everyone is looking forward to that.”