The Amy Garrett House has a new lease on life.
By: Paul Sisolak
ROCKY HILL The Rocky Hill Community Group received a grant Tuesday evening from Somerset County toward the restoration of a historic borough house.
Members of the group traveled to Somerville where county freeholders presented them with a check for $125,000 for the Amy Garrett House on Washington Street, the group’s headquarters.
The weathered yet time-tested house, built in the 1830s, is in a bad state of repair, according to group trustee Connie Greif.
"We’re trying to get the building back in decent shape and restore it to what it was," she said.
For a start, she said, the house needs some structural and foundation work as well as exterior wood replacement, including shutters, and a paint job.
A new roof is also necessary. The present roof is in such bad shape the Rocky Hill Community Group members were concerned a heavy snow could bring it down, according to Ms. Greif.
A new heating system may also be installed to battle cold winter meetings, she said.
"If you have a meeting there, you sit bundled up in your coat," said Ms. Greif.
With the grant, landscaping work can also be performed, including the addition of a handicap-accessible entrance at the rear of the building. A path would lead to the entrance from the parking lot of the Mary Jacobs Library, adjacent to the house.
The house had originally served as the borough library until 1974, when the Mary Jacobs Library opened.
"The library outgrew itself and moved to the current building," noted Ms. Greif.
It was occupied until the 1960s. Amy Garrett was its last resident. The borough purchased the house after her death for a library and added two rooms.
Community Group President Melissa Bernardi said interior work may eventually be performed on the house so group meetings and activities can be expanded.
Some upcoming events, noted Ms. Bernardi, are the group’s annual meeting on Sept. 18 and a coffee with the Borough Council in October. The Rocky Hill Moms Group also meets at the house.
Ms. Greif said she hopes the house will be available to host small receptions such as wedding parties. Book sales and local art exhibits may also be in its future. A house tour, according to Ms. Bernardi, may be coming up as well.
The grant is the second the Rocky Hill Community Group has received for the house’s restoration. Last year, noted Ms. Bernardi, the county granted an initial $37,000, some of which has been used for architectural proposals, she said.
Five contractors have already been consulted for the renovation work, which should begin in the fall, noted Ms. Greif. The group, she said, will apply for more grants and hold fund-raisers if the money runs out.
"We hope to apply for more grants to finish the job," she said.