IS183 Art School
Box 1400
13 Willard Hill Road
Stockbridge, MA 01262
phone (413) 298-5252
fax (423) 298-5257
info@is183.org

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"Home At Last" Capital Campaign

Thank you to all of our "Home at Last" supporters!

Work on the North and West sides of the mansard roof was COMPLETED (yay!) in Fall, 2007. Work on the front mansard is scheduled for this Spring. We only need to raise $9,500 and the Southern side of the building can be restored this Spring - completing Phase II. Please help protect this historic treasure and make your gift today!

HISTORY

Citizens Hall was designed in 1870 by Charles T. Rathburn to serve as a district schoolhouse on the first floor with a large public meeting hall on the second floor. After district schools were consolidated, Citizens Hall continued to be used as a meeting place, but with decreasing frequency. Old Curtisville, Inc. was organized as a community group to preserve and restore the building and was instrumental in obtaining a grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission for critical repairs in 1975.

Founded in 1991, for the first 14 years IS183 Art School leased space in the historic Citizens Hall. In 2005 we merged with the buildings previous owner, Old Curtisville, Inc. and now own the building outright. After acquiring title to Citizens Hall in June 2005, IS 183 Art School immediately embarked on our "Home At Last" campaign; a four-phase program of capital repairs and improvements to address the widespread effects of deferred maintenance on the building.

Phase 1 involved stripping and re-roofing the low-pitched main roof and the front tower in order to eliminate moisture leaks and protect interior finishes. The initial work was completed at a cost of $40,000 using private donations.

Phase 2 addresses problems with the buildings historic mansard roof, including carpentry repairs to the decorative eaves and window surrounds, repair of existing windows, replacement of flashings and installation of new roof shingles. This includes repairing areas of significant decay and deterioration in the eaves and window surrounds.

Phase 3 completes exterior repairs by addressing issues with lower windows, entryways, ventilation and includes painting of the exterior.

Phase 4 includes an access audit and planning to address interior upgrades to bathrooms, lighting, ventilation and installation of an HVAC and fire suppression systems.