The Weston Area Development Association (WADA) received a grant of $30,000 from the Wildhorse Foundation for the revitalization of two historic buildings within the Weston Historic Commercial District.
This grant will enable WADA to fulfill a 30% match requirement for another grant dedicated to the same revitalization initiative.
Expected to begin in September, the project begins with restoration work on the Long Branch Café & Saloon building, a venerable cornerstone of Weston’s history. Erected in 1874, this historic building had been undergoing restoration efforts until a fire damaged the structure two years ago. While the Long Branch Café & Saloon re-opened its doors in 2022, substantial rehabilitation remains necessary to fully recapture the building’s former grandeur.
The second part of the project is to revitalize the Old Post Office. It was constructed in 1885.
The majority of the restoration involves tuckpointing. Tuckpointing is the process of removing deteriorated mortar, filling joints with new mortar that matches the brick, then applying a thin line of putty in a contrasting color down the center of the joint. This recaptures the original look of the brickwork. It is a labor-intensive job and requires skill.
Supplementary tasks involve the replacement of compromised roofing sections and the abatement of hazardous materials, ensuring the structures’ compliance with contemporary safety standards.
With an estimated total project cost of approximately $350,000, WADA is $4,000 short of securing the full funding needed to bring the restoration to fruition. The assistance of various grants and contributions has brought WADA close to attaining its fundraising goal.
