Dear Editor & People of Watonga, The T. B. Ferguson Home Museum needs extensive restoration work. Continued lack of funding and help to do the work has resulted in a steady decline in the condition of the home over the years. Although repainting is an obvious need, the biggest concern is the condition of the structure itself. Repair and replacement of the siding, trim, porch columns and railings, as well as the windows and doors in the major part of the restoration.
It was decided to scrape, repair and paint the 10 X 20 lower west (rear) wall of the museum first in order to figure the best way to proceed on the other portions of the home. This is an addition that was added in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s. Although this section of the museum required a minimal amount of repair to the siding, the removal of the old paint to prep for painting was still time consuming.
Due to the ongoing lack of funding, a multiyear plan which will spread the cost out, has been initiated as follows: Work will be done section by section on the home in phases:
Phase 1: Siding, window repair, column and railing replacement and painting of the front entry section.
Phase 2: Repair siding, trim and windows on north side of home.
Phase 3: Repair siding, trim and windows on south side of museum.
Phase 4: Repair siding, trim and windows on west side of museum.
If you have any questions or would like to help call the Ferguson Home Museum at 5806235069 Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. If you get answering machine be sure and leave name and call back number because we don’t have caller ID.
Thank you, Clay Zahn