Historic commission outlines multi-year plan to restore Lester House and expand public events

Representatives of the Ledyard Historic District Commission told the Land Use & Public Works Committee on July 6 that they plan a multi-year rehabilitation of the Nathan Lester House Museum and want to broaden the site’s role as a community gathering place.

"We don't have many public spaces for people to gather," Doug Kelly said, introducing the commission’s priorities and describing the Lester House as the town’s only museum. He outlined immediate exterior repairs and painting and said the commission intends to submit a formal proposal in the coming month for work to begin on the south façade and then continue around the building.

Kelly described a longer-term, "blue-sky" plan that could include rebuilding historic hay barns as a working events barn and adding a timber-framed workshop and storage area. He said the commission will pursue grants and consider establishing or partnering with a 501(c)(3) to manage day-to-day operations and to make the site more competitive for funding.

Committee members and residents asked about partners and timelines; Kelly said the commission already works with legacy partners — including the Ledyard Historical Society and the Ledyard Garden Club — and noted volunteer contributions from a timber-framing group and an American Heritage Girls member building a garden shed as part of an award project.

The commission and the committee discussed arranging a September presentation to the full council so the group can present recent findings from work at the Spicer Homestead and raise awareness of ongoing plans for the Lester House.

The committee did not take formal action on the museum proposal at the July 6 meeting; representatives said they will bring a written proposal and budget requests for future committee consideration.