Friday, December 8, 2017

The Ginger House Update

I wanted to let everyone know about the progress at the Ginger House- The interior is 99% completed. The only thing left to do is the white subway tile with gray grout in the kitchen and finish the displays of Ginger Rogers memorabilia and some of the items she owned.

The next step is the exterior, and that won't be as easy a task since we must get approval from the City of Independence Heritage Commission for any repairs or improvements since this is an Historic Landmark Property.

The steps involved include getting a site survey, having a plan drawn up by a landscape architect, removal of trees that are a danger to the house, approval by the city arborist, and getting approval from the Heritage Commission.

Our plans include replacing the sidewalks around the house and to the front porch with paver bricks; new landscaping and grass; a lighted sign; uplighting of the house; a new old style fence around the property for added security; repair of the porch, columns, siding, and soffits, and roof replacement. Last March hail severely damaged the roof. We are planning to restore the exterior color to the original white, and keep everything on the exterior of the house original except the roof, which will be a period look roof. We are also planning to add a paver brick driveway and patio in the back of the property.  The expected remaining costs are between $30,000 - $40,000.

People who donate $50 or more to the project will have their name engraved on a paver brick which will be placed in a permanent location on the property.

The grand opening of the museum will be July 14-15, 2018 at the Ginger Rogers Day Festival.

Donations can be made at www.thegingerhouse.org.
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Marge Padgitt is the Director of The Ginger House Museum. Contact her at mp@thegingerhouse.org.

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Down to the Wire

Update on the GR House:

The wiring and plumbing are completed and passed inspection by the building inspector - yea! Next, Gene is getting ready to put the insulation in the walls and put up drywall in the kitchen - the next to the last thing to do inside the house. The cabinets are sitting in the house and ready for installation. The alarm system has been repaired and is now working.

We are going to add a small half bath off of the kitchen so visitors will have a place to use the restroom without disturbing the tours through the full bath. After the interior is finished we need to apply to the city for the exterior improvements and landscaping. Don't worry- the look of the exterior will be kept the same as it was originally.