Date: Fri 04-Jul-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

roof-Middle-Gate-restoration

Full Text:

One-Room School Gets A New Roof

If you have ever had the notion that a historical society is a static

organization, you should have seen the shingles fly.

On June 27, Mike Constantine and Edward Agnoli removed the old roof on the old

one-room schoolhouse at Middle Gate School and began the restoration to shore

up and straighten the roof line. The partners of AC Design Build of Newtown

used cedar shingles and spent four days to completely re-roof Newtown

Historical Society's treasure. Next, the workers will tackle the rotted window

sashes.

"I love the older buildings - the tradition about them, and the solid, good

quality material that is used," said Mr Constantine. "I love to restore these

buildings. It's history, too. I know a lot of people around town who do a

great job restoring [their homes]."

Mr Constantine was previously doing restoration work on a part-time basis,

focusing his efforts on brownstones in Brooklyn and Queens, N.Y. Now, he is

working full-time at it, and happy to have a project in his hometown.

"The closer it is, the more special it is, I guess," he said. "I like the

visual result - I can always go by and see the schoolhouse and know I was a

part of restoring it to the best condition it can be for the time."

The restoration of the building will be paid for by the historical society's

July 12 tour of historic homes and gardens. The tour, which costs $20, will

feature six landmark properties open for the event between 11 am and 5 pm.

(See related story on page C8.) For ticket information, call 426-5937.