News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
One of Algood’s most historic buildings has received HVAC repairs thanks to fundraising efforts by the Friends of the White Plains Historic Home.
Board of Directors Member Laura Clemons said the organization funded the work by donating $4,000 to the city of Algood.
“We knew that the HVAC needed repairs,” Clemons said. “There were problems in the house with dampness, so we found out how much it would cost to get that repair done, and we mounted a fund raiser and we were very successful.”
The White Plains Historic Home now has three new HVAC ducts as well as newly replaced ducting beneath the home. Clemons said the improved ventilation will help preserve the wooden building and the furniture inside.
“This is a common problem,” Clemons said. “I would venture to say that every historic home particularly built of wood and over 100 years old is going to have this problem without proper ventilation, and systems die in time. Systems need replacing and need repairing and problems with the lack of ventilation can not only damage the home itself but also the furnishing.”
Friends of the White Plains Historic Home was established in 2013 and shares the same mission as Algood to preserve the home. Clemons said the end goal is to make the building into a museum.
“We’re working really hard to build an environment that is great for a museum,” Clemons said. “What that means is interpretive panels, working on the history of the home, doing all the things to show people what the home is and what the home’s significance is for our area.”
Clemons said other restoration efforts continue as the organization and city try to reach their goal. Clemons said maintenance is ongoing on the roof, and the organization wants to replace the home’s windows in the future.
The White Plains Historic Home located on Walton Road was built in 1840. It was one of the largest plantations in the Upper Cumberland and is one of the earliest extant buildings in Putnam County.
