Goodwood Museum celebrates rebuilt water tower with preservation social gathering – Tallahassee Democrat

Though Individuals don’t have a historical past like that of say, the Egyptians, the Romans or our British cousins, some stalwarts do like preserving what we’ve acquired. 

We’ve got the nucleus of preservationists who administer the Goodwood Basis and Margaret E. Wilson Basis. For nearly 25 years, the upkeep and continued bodily integrity of the Goodwood property has been the mantra which permits for the property’s previous glories to be shared with the neighborhood — a previous which dates all the way in which again to 1824.

Goodwood is probably not “historical,” however it’s a reference to the start days of our state which is treasured — a reality famous by the property’s inclusion on the Nationwide Registry of Historic Locations.

Goodwood Museum & Gardens and the Florida Belief for Historic Preservation will have fun a historic preservation win with the restoration of one of many iconic architectural options of Goodwood. A “Preservation Celebration for the Outdated Water Tower” reception will probably be held from 6-10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22.

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In 2019, Goodwood Museum’s Water Tower, constructed between 1910-1920, was in peril of collapsing. The 100-year-old construction, as soon as emblematic of North Florida’s rich patrons, was badly broken in 1985 by Hurricane Kate. The tower was included within the Florida Belief for Historic Preservation’s 11 to Save program, which acknowledges and advocates for the rehabilitation of endangered historic websites.

The picket water tower, a “trendy necessity,” was constructed by then-owner, Fanny Tiers after she bought the property in 1911. Tiers was a rich widow who beloved the 160 acres of rolling north Florida land which she used to entertain her Northern company and escape harsh winters.

Tiers made many alterations to the unique cotton plantation home — including Georgian columns and giving it an archetypical “Mount Vernon” model. She additionally added a swimming pool, a carriage home, visitor cottages — and apparently, to elegantly meet the plumbing wants of transferring all that water for company, she constructed a water tower to deal with the nicely, cistern, and water pump.

From the unique reward of the USA to the Marquis de Lafayette in 1824 for his assist in the Revolutionary Battle, to his sale of a number of the 23,000 acres to North Carolinians Hardy and brother Bryan Croom, the property the place Goodwood now stands would start an evolution towards at this time’s overlook of busy Miccosukee Highway.

The ten,000 sq. foot home that we see at this time was accomplished in 1858 below proprietor, Arvah Hopkins, with the assistance of enslaved people. Lots of them would keep on as tenant farmers after the Civil Battle. Although the acreage various by way of quite a few new purchasers, it appeared that each proprietor handled Goodwood with love.

Following her intensive renovations, Mrs. Tiers moved to Paris in 1925. State Senator William Hodges and his younger spouse purchased the property. Upon his demise, she remarried Col. Thomas Hood, who would be certain that Goodwood’s integrity would stay. Hood lived in the home following his spouse’s demise till 1990. However fairly than bequeathing it to the state of Florida, Hood established the Margaret E. Wilson (her maiden title) Basis. 

Right now, 1000’s of yearly guests wander the grounds, tour the rooms of the home, and maintain occasions from weddings to dinners to musical occasions on the property. There are 20 antebellum-like buildings nestled collectively at Goodwood, constructed over the past 110 years. Every one Tallahasseeans maintain valuable. The water tower is one in every of them.

All concerning the water tower

1. Who did the rehabilitation of the tower?

The architect was Barnett, Fronczak, Barlow, and Shuler. The overall contractor is CSI. 

2. Peak of the tower?

Simply over 50′ (50’1.5″)

3. Are there inside pump mechanisms in there now?

The Paul deep nicely pump has been eliminated for restoration. The work will probably be carried out on the Conservation Lab on the State Archives 

4. How did the pump really GET water to the pool and for irrigation?

The 4th ground of the construction held a 30,000-gallon picket water tank. The mechanism for transferring water from the tank to the buildings was gravity.

5. What number of months did it take to get tower restored?

Demolition began final fall and eliminated all broken supplies all the way down to the metal body. We have been stunned to seek out the CARNEGIE stamp embossed on them. The development part has been happening for about 6 months. 

6. What was the ultimate price of the undertaking?

The preliminary estimates have been roughly $270,000 to finish the undertaking. Nearly all of these funds have been from the Metropolis of Tallahassee Historic Preservation Grant and mortgage program and from the Council on Tradition and Arts Cultural Amenities Grant program.

The pandemic introduced price will increase that greater than doubled the undertaking price. Goodwood’s board of administrators launched into a marketing campaign to boost funds to finish the undertaking. With 100% board participation and matching challenges from Nancy and Gene Phipps and Cindy G. Phipps, the outside and floor ground are virtually 100% full. 

Goodwood continues to hunt funding to totally full the inside and set up easy landscaping round this historic landmark.

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