Historical society repairs Roundhouse
Ron Johnson and Charlie Nola (not pictured), members of Madison Station Historical Preservation Society, recently completed repairs to the Roundhouse. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – Members of Madison Station Historical Preservation Society recently repaired the iconic Roundhouse.
“Essential to the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society for its many uses, the Roundhouse on the Village Green continues to serve the Madison Historic District,” public education chairperson Lee Grimes said.
The Roundhouse was reconstructed during the Madison Street Festival in 1986. “The Roundhouse naturally requires upkeep,” Grimes said.
Society members assessed needed repairs, and the group discussed funding. Society members Ron Johnson and vice president Charlie Nola repaired one of the pillars on which the Roundhouse stands.
“It seems ants infested one of the eight pillars supporting the Roundhouse,” Johnson said. “Charlie and I took off the boards, cleaned out the ants’ cavities, put the boards back together and applied a coat of paint.”
“We wanted the pillar to look as if there had never been any problem and that it matches the other seven,” Johnson said about the repairs.
At the society’s July meeting, committees reported on work for fall and winter events. Girl Scouts are planning a clean-up day and will then schedule a walk at Old Madison Cemetery.
The Christmas Magic Homes Tour will be held Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The “Historic District Front Porches of Madison” project will accompany the home tour. The society invites homeowners who are not on the tour to decorate and spotlight their front porches.
For information about the home tour, call Erica Hand at 256-348-4292 or email to ericahand@att.net.
Another project is the history essay scholarship for Madison third- and fourth-graders in private and public schools. Essays must be 150 to 200 words.
Commemorative brick pavers for the Roundhouse are on sale for $35 each. Debbie Overcash is coordinating this project; email to oversanoma@aol.com.
Madison Station Historical Preservation Society will meet on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Roundhouse. New members are welcomed. Dues are $20 for an individual or $25 for a family.
For more information, visit historicmadisonstation.com.
