The construction phase of the Garland County Historical Society's expansion plan for its archives building is approaching the finish line even sooner than expected, but will require a brief five-day closure during the last leg.
The project to expand the society's facility at 328 Quapaw Ave. by 1,500 square feet broke ground on Sept. 15, 2017, and initially was predicted to be finished by March or even early April, but Bruce Cozart, project contractor, said Thursday he was hoping to be finished "in about two weeks," or mid-February.
"We're up to the final things to be done," Cozart, a state representative whose private construction company is handling the work, said, noting they would be installing the flooring for the reception area next week and the floor in the file room.
"After that it's just touch ups. We lack a little bit on the outside, some yard work. That's it," he said.
"We've only had to be closed two days up until this week," Elizabeth Robbins, GCHS executive director, said Thursday, noting they would be closed Monday through Friday this week "while they redo the flooring and a couple of other things.
"It's just not going to be possible to have people coming in," she said. "I think it's pretty amazing we were able to keep working and helping people," noting they will have only had to be closed seven days total throughout the construction.
"We're just so excited," Robbins said of the expansion. "We're very proud of this."
Robbins also stressed they are far from finished even after the construction is complete, noting, "it's going to take until probably the end of 2018 to re-inventory everything and move everything the way we want to do."
She said every item in their collection will be evaluated for condition and cataloged in their software program.
"We have to touch everything so this is the only time we could ever do it," Donnavae Hughes, the society's IT expert, said Thursday. "My work is just starting."
During a guided tour, Robbins pointed out the new front desk just inside the entrance and the expanded reception area which will contain the microfilm machine, research computers, DVD players and "all the equipment people want to use," noting the volunteers manning the reception desk will be able to help visitors as needed.
The building's library was previously split into two small rooms, but now all the materials will be in one room, she said. "The materials will be more accessible for researchers and we have more room for bookshelves and for tables to accommodate more people."
In four to eight weeks, they will be installing movable shelves, which will increase the climate-controlled room's storage capacity by 70 percent, she said, by having one aisle that can be moved around. "This is going to be fabulous."
She pointed out the expanded subject file room, which will contain "absolutely irreplaceable documents and papers on just about every subject imaginable on Garland County. We needed more cabinets and more space for additional materials we will be collecting," she said, noting more than 55,000 photos and memorabilia will be contained there.
In the past, they had to rent three storage units "crammed full of our holdings" and also had a huge collection in one society's member's basement. "Now we'll be able to have everything under one roof," she said.
"A lot of people don't realize we don't just collect materials about the past, we have to archive information about the present so that information will be available to people in the future. So we're always cutting out clippings and newspapers and magazines. Every day The Sentinel-Record goes into our files in different categories."
One feature Robbins is especially proud of that will be installed in the coming weeks is a "clean gas fire suppression system" to protect the most valuable items in their collection.
"Unfortunately, we can't afford it for the whole building, but anything that can't be replaced will be in these rooms. It doesn't use water. If it's discharged, it doesn't harm the materials at all. It doesn't even leave a film. It basically takes the oxygen out of the room, but safely for people," she said.
"I can't tell you how reassuring this is for me. I've stayed awake at night any time there's a big thunderstorm worrying about a lightning strike starting a fire. I think we're being really good stewards for the community by putting this in."
Another benefit of the project is by moving their holdings into new areas, it will free up space in the pre-existing areas in the back to give the society's volunteers more room to work, she said, noting "we never had space to spread out anywhere when we're making displays or preparing programs."
"We'll be able to set up effective work stations and research stations which is something we were not able to do," Hughes said. "That's going to be major."
Noting they have 13 computers in the building, Robbins said it will give the researchers more room. "Our volunteers are always working at cataloging our holdings. One of the big projects in the last several years was to build a software program that lists everything and makes everything readily findable."
"Particularly with the 55,000 photos, we have to identify everything in each photo. Cars, people, buildings. Our volunteers work on making the programs. This just gives all of them more room. It was kind of crowded."
Robbins said even though "we still have a lot to do," she didn't anticipate having to close again after this week. "I don't think so. We might have to close one day when we do some massive moving, but no major closings."
"They still have a lot of stuff to move around," Cozart said. "But our part of it will be done."
The project was funded in large part by a $200,000 grant from the Oaklawn Foundation, which went toward construction costs. The Hot Springs Giving Circle gave a grant for the installation of an ADA-accessible bathroom and plumbing expenses. Local architect David French donated his services, she said, and many people in the community have shown their support with donations.
Robbins stressed they still welcome donations because "we still need money. We're really grateful for anything we can get. What we do is break even every year," she said, noting all donations are tax deductible.
Donors who give $25 to $249 will receive recognition in The Record, the society's yearly journal; donors who give $250 to $999 will also have an inscribed brick paver in their name; donors who give $1,000 to $4,999 will have a building plaque inscribed in their name; and donors who give $5,000 or more will have one of the movable shelving units inscribed in their name and a building plaque.
She said they would like to have an open house or big reception, possibly in the fall, to "show off everything. We have a reputation as one of the outstanding historical societies in the state. This whole project is going to help us be even more effective. It's really going to be great."
Donations can be sent to GCHS at P.O. Box 21335, Hot Springs, AR 71903, or 328 Quapaw Avenue 71901.
Local on 02/04/2018