The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) recently conducted a documentation of the Botetourt County Historical Museum in Fincastle.
Executive Director of the Botetourt County Historical Society and Museum Lynsey Allie worked with Mike Pulice from the VDHR on the recent documentation. Pulice brought in Director of Architectural Restoration at Poplar Forest Travis McDonald and Poplar Forest Supervisor CJ Frost for additional expertise.
McDonald is a veteran architectural historian and expert building investigator. He will prepare annotated measured plan drawings, which could take weeks to complete.
“We are very fortunate to have (McDonald’s) help, especially given valid concerns about the building’s long-term welfare,” Pulice recently stated when asked about the ongoing documentation.
The documentation is a full assessment of the old museum in Courthouse Square. Pulice, McDonald, and the team take measurements, note the type of brick and hardwood used in its construction, and other building investigations.
“This has been a true team effort to make sure we get this done,” Allie mentioned in a recent interview. “I thought it was important that we have an official record of where (the museum) started in 1966. The plan is to relocate the building and wanted to make sure it was documented in its original state.”
The documentation began last Thursday and continued earlier this week. This week, the Botetourt County Historical Museum begins moving into the old Hagan law offices at 26 East Main Street with help from Lawrence Company movers. The museum plans to reopen this spring.
For more information about the Botetourt Historical Society & Museum, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BCHSM/.