By Bradly Gill
News Editor
In March, the McCollum-Chidester House closed to complete the first phase 1 in a three-part restoration project.
This Thursday, Sept. 15, the building will have its grand re-opening, where a new HVAC unit, courtesy of a grant from Preserve Arkansas, will be unveiled.
Kathy Boyette, of the Ouachita County Historical Society stated, "Several years ago, we noticed problems with the structure where the heating and cooling units came into the house. Everything was outside and came into the house."
Boyette said rain damaged part of the foundation of the house, which also necessitated a replacement of the HVAC.
On the advice of member of Preserve Arkansas, a statewide nonprofit organization focused on preserving Arkansas's architectural and cultural resources, an architect was also brought in to look at the foundation to see what might be endangered.
"Virtually every foundation tier was compromised," Boyette said. "One of them was even an old tree trunk."
"The architect we hired worked out a plan and the air conditioning had to go first. We had to turn in our assessment to the Historic Preservation people," she added. "We only had one working heating and air unit; when the other ones died we didn't replace them. We had a tough couple of years with heating and cooling in the house.".
Boyette said with the first phase complete, the Ouachita County Historical Society hopes to move on to the second and third phase soon.
"Now we have complete new units and the repair work is done. The next phase is foundation," she said.
On Thursday, local residents can attend the grand reopening if they purchase a $15 single or $25 couples ticket, which includes a champagne reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased by calling (870) 836-9243 or from any Historical Society member.
The Greek Revival-style McCollum-Chidester House was built in 1847 by North Carolina merchant Peter McCollum with building materials shipped via steamboat from New Orleans and contains many of its original furnishings.
McCollum-Chidester House Museum and the Leake-Ingham Building are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are open year-round for guided tours. Museum hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. from Wednesday through Saturday.