Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation is a priority at Historic Yellow Springs as we seek to maintain and celebrate the stories of this 300+ year old space. With each building and feature, we help to keep these important local stories of the past alive.
A Growing Community and a Need
The building of Connie’s House dates to the late 1800’s. The space was used as a general store and the first post office in Chester Springs, then still called Yellow Springs. With the founding of the Chester Springs Studio, it was eventually used for exhibitions, artists’ residencies and office space. Structural, safety and code concerns forced us to shutter the building for the last decade, but the passion of the past still rings true and our goal of returning the building to its former glory and productive use is finally here. Interest in the arts has continued to grow. Ceramics classes are bursting at the seams, and there is a need to relieve the pressure. A new studio will allow for new creative opportunities, more welcoming classroom experiences, and the ability for students to work at their preferred scale. Additionally, we will expand the project to the second floor to allow for the growth of youth and teen programming. A more open floor plan will expand the opportunities for camps and school year programming. We see an opportunity to reinvent this space again with an eye on future engagement and opportunity.
Project Goals
Major Improvements
Being careful and thorough we have worked with engineers and historians to learn what the old building needs to stand strong and true for years to come and uncover clues to the history of the building and its place in the story of our historic village.
Building on Opportunity
With a need for more classroom space, we are opening the footprint while honoring the history by restoring and preserving the building’s historic façade and leaving key interior elements exposed and intact. When done the building will be more than just a modern studio, but one in a distinct setting, continuing the storied history of the building and the village that has inspired so many for so long.
Dreaming Big
By combining the old Post Office and the main building into a single space and expanding our original scope to include the second floor, we hope to create new space for the needs of tomorrow and for plenty of years to come while honoring it’s past.
The Heroes Who Pushed The Project Forward
Any project of this magnitude is going to require substantial funding. Thanks to the support of longtime ceramics student Dolphin Greenspace who passed away in 2022, the primary funding was provided to undertake this level of restoration and reuse. Since her initial contribution others have stepped up, some big and some small to keep the project moving. In June of 2023 the Robert M. Price Memorial Foundation, a fund of the Chester County Community Foundation. Contributed an additional $11,000 to the project. In December of 2023, past board member long time support and potter, Polly Gable, stepped up with a generous contribution to help push the project even further. These individuals and foundations understand the importance of this building’s preservation, and the importance of its potential impact on the village, but much more is needed. During the exploratory demolition significant structural repairs were uncovered which hit the budget hard, increasing our need for your support. New doors open when new purpose-built space is available.
Exploratory demolition, It’s got to look rougher before it looks better
September and October 2023
In late fall, the first hammers started swinging, not to build, but to open up. We needed to learn what was behind the plaster to see the good, the bad, and the ugly, and after nearly 150 years for the main building and almost 300 for parts of what we call the addition, there were a bit of all three. Beams that had bent, walls that had rotted, and codes that simply didn’t exist back then gave us the first indication of key changes that would have to be made to update the building.
Early Planning Trying to Fit the Dream in Place
End of 2023, Early 2024
Retrofitting a modern studio into a historic building is no easy task. Historians, contractors, students, teachers, consultants and staff all contributed ideas for improving the interior design at walk throughs, and discussion sessions to help mold the space while leaving historic elements to honor the building’s past.
We knew we wanted an open fluid space where teachers could see a whole class from one vantage point, but we couldn’t shift the support of the whole structure without risking collapse and ignoring its past. The solution was to widen the openings to allow visitors to understand the original layout but allow for ease of movement and class flow.
A large kiln room at the back of the building, plenty of clean up space, ADA accessibility and honoring the building’s storied past were all considered as the space started to take shape. Below are some of the earliest iterations of what the space could be.
Seeking More Funding as the Project Grows in Scope
March 2024
The more we uncovered, the more we realized there was much to be done. As one contractor put it, “it might have been cheaper to tear it down and build a replica.” But that goes against the spirit of preservation at the very core of the mission of Historic Yellow Springs!
So instead of turning our back on the stories and treasures of this old building we sought more funding to help make it happen. Fortunately we meet all the criteria for a Keystone Historic Preservation Construction Grant including being on the National Register of Historic Places. We have applied for $100,000 to the state of PA to help us on the path towards the final project. We expect to hear back about the funding in October 2024.
More Demolition and Tree Removal
April 2024
After preliminary discussions with the township, consultants and our in-house team, we needed to open up more spaces to find any other challenges.
We also needed to remove the large and dead trees overgrowing the roof of the building and causing damage. Our friends at 4 Seasons Arborscapes stepped up to help safely remove some problematic trees and trim large branches.
With each swing of the hammer and rev of the chainsaw we learned more about the space and its history. One of the most exciting moments was when the demolition crew found a perfectly preserved shutter in the wall. The previously undiscovered shutter (pictured here) revealed the original colors of the building including a cream, and forest green.
Bringing in the Pros for the Final Design
March- May 2024
While the community of teachers, students, staff, and supporters lent insight for interior use, construction required stamped and sealed plans. Mann-Hughes Architecture and particularly Daniel Bellay were able to lend expertise to help develop finished plans. After discussing numerous challenges, we ultimately solved the challenges and met the needs for a code compliant and functional space. View the final plans attached.
West Pikeland Township Historic Architectural Review Board
May 2024
As part of a village on the National Register for Historic Places, we presented our research and final plan to the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB). This ensures we meet all expectations for maintaining the historic character of the building throughout the renovation. This stage involved researching the history of the building through the Moore Archives at Historic Yellow Springs. At the May meeting, the HARB voted in support of the major components of our designs. This is pending final approval on the front railings.
Building Permit Submission and Approval, Construction Begins!
May and June 2024
After all the work and research, we received permit approval and issued a contractor RFP for bids. We were thrilled to be awarded the permit after thorough review in June. Contractors started on sit in August and work started fast! We are thrilled to see Historic Preservation in action again throughout the village. Check out update videos below highlighting the major strides made in the project.