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Weston Historical Society
Archive gets P&Z approval
May 7, 2008
by Patricia Gay
Efforts to preserve and protect Weston’s artifacts got a boost when the Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved the plan for an archive and exhibit hall facility on Weston Road.
The commission approved an application for a special permit by the Weston Historical Society that will allow for the construction and operation of a 4,000-square-foot archive and exhibition hall. The cost of the project is approximately $1.2 million.
“It’s going to be a wonderful addition for the town,” said Bob Faesy of Faesy-Smith Architects in Wilton, who designed and will oversee construction of the new facility.
The archive will look just like a barn that currently sits on the Coley Homestead — the site where the new facility will be built. That design was done on purpose.
“The trustees of the historical society are conscious that the site should not change in character and should express the same feeling as the building that is there now.
When this project is done, you shouldn’t know anything has happened to the site. It should be a seamless fit,” Mr. Faesy said.
The Coley Homestead has an old time New England look sprawled out across several acres and sporting a farmhouse, and large barn and outbuildings, including a cider barn. It is the site of the town’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, host to Weston’s summertime farmer’s market, and special occasion festivities, as well as a popular destination for field trips by Weston schoolchildren, eager to catch a glimpse of life on the farm.
Green
The archive plan calls for the construction of a two-level structure, utilizing a special “green” component.
On the lower level, there will be a temperature- and humidity-controlled vault and adjacent archive workroom. The vault will store maps, letters, and a variety of historical artifacts, including the town’s historic Fitch Diaries, costumes, hats, and quilts.
On the main ground floor level, there will be an exhibit hall for archival display, plus a society office, reading room, and bathrooms.
“The archive will provide a vital historical, educational and meeting resource for the entire community of Weston,” said Reg Bowden, president of the Weston Historical Society.
“These plans are the culmination of 15 years during which various boards of trustees of the Weston Historical Society wrestled with concerns about the proper safeguarding and display of accumulated historical artifacts of Weston,” he said.
In an effort to go green, the roof of the facility will be covered with photovoltaic solar panels that transform sunlight into energy, providing electricity for the entire building — and more.
“The panels will generate power in excess of what the building actually needs and will put electricity back into the grid,” said architect Tom Smith, Mr. Faesy’s partner.
He said the panels will be fully integrated and cover the roof in its entirety, so it won’t look patchy or like a bandage. “It will have a continuous appearance,” he said.
“We will try to have the electrical machinery open to view as a teaching tool for the public,” Mr. Smith said.
The architects are also making an effort to use as many local materials as they can get for the project. “Inside there will be an update on traditional barn joinery — a timber frame for the building will look like other barns on the property,” Mr. Smith said.
As part of the approval, P&Z also specified certain conditions for the plan.
The commission approved 19 parking spaces for the facility, including two handicapped ones.
Before a certificate of occupancy is issued, the Fire Marshal’s approval of the facility’s fire plan and site access plan is required
Approval by the Westport Weston Health District is also required before a certificate of occupancy will be issued. The proposed septic system must also be approved by the health district.
Drainage calculations must be approved by the town engineer before any town permits are issued.
Funding
Construction of the facility is being funded through fund-raising efforts spearheaded by the historical society and a little help from the state.
The projected $1.2 million cost for the archive plan includes $1,025,000 for design, permitting and construction, $112,760 for additional design and permitting, and $70,000 for furniture and fixtures.
The historical society has held several fund-raisers, including a special dinner and evening with actor Christopher Plummer, and benefit concert by José Feliciano, both of Weston, as well as a dinner hosted by John and Dawn Egan.
In April, the state announced approval of a $250,000 STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) grant to help cover some of the project’s costs.
The architects said they are now putting together construction documents, and after they get a contract price of the project, the plan will be ready to go.
The Weston Historical Society was founded in 1961, and incorporated in 1962. Its mission is to preserve, share and celebrate Weston’s 300-plus year history.
The society is guided by a 15-member board of trustees.
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