Forks Support to Save Cottage Sought
Forks Area Art Society meets Wednesday night; pitch made for more support to save "Cottage in the Woods."
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Several weeks have passed since the "Cottage in the Woods" has been a topic of discussion at the Board of Supervisors meeting.
With the last board meeting scrapped and the next one not until next Thursday, the issue has gone on the back burner.
The Forks Area Art Society, though, hopes the flame hasn't burned out.
The society, which holds its meeting Wednesday night, is seeking support from its members to save the structure on Zucksville Road from a possible wrecking ball.
With a "Save the Cottage" Committee formed, members are trying to raise funds to refurbish the building for use for meetings and to showcase exhibits.
Meanwhile, township officials are mulling a decision about whether it's wise to spend $23,000 or more to rehabilitate the cottage or knock it down for a third of the cost.
Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss, though, serves on both boards. He writes up the Art Society newsletter and meeting agenda.
One item is about the cottage.
"As you may have read, the Art Society is working with the township and the community to coordinate support to restore and preserve the township-owned cottage at 700 Zucksville Road," the newsletter states.
"Fairly extensive repairs are needed to address aging issues with the building in order to turn it into a place that the community can use to promote culture and history in the township. The verbal support received has been strong."
The Art Society is asking anyone who is interested in helping with repairs, landscaping or making a donation to contact Art Society President Ellie Reismeier at forksart@yahoo.com.
Peggy Shafer
11:21 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Can you tell me more about the cottage? Is this a historical bldg?
Dino Ciliberti
11:25 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Yep, go under search for Cottage in the Woods and you can read all the stories we've written about the issue.
Peggy Shafer
5:25 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Okay, I will - thanks!
ellie reismeier
12:18 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
By definition NO...this is not a historical bldg....nothing significant historically or architecturally associated with this cottage. Only a unique charming stone cottage built in the 1940's, standing on close to 6 acres of old growth woods. A piece of history that stands on what once was a huge family farm. Sold to the township 10 yrs. ago. Another piece of Forks Township's disappearing landscape....the family farm. Sad that our community has permitted most of the family farms to be decimated and replaced by sterile subdivisions. This last piece of history sitting amongst a magical old growth forest on municipal property needs to be preserved and protect by the residents of this township. I urge you all to take a walk around the Municipal Park (there is a beautiful walking trail), go to the backside of the Community Center and view the woods and the wildlife from across the pond.... imagine the possibilities of an arboretum with a picnic pavilion, with the added incentive of The Cottage acting as an art gallery plus studios for local artists and our youth to take lessons. This will be for all township residents to enjoy in the near future. This is what the grassroots "Save the Cottage in the Woods" project is all about. Like us on facebook and contact us via e-mail at forksart@yahoo.com.
Time to get involved, people.....Before another piece of our history disappears before our very eyes!