De$tiny: Libby Museum...

[ApS]

Libby Museum faces demolition.



The Town of Wolfeboro has ignored the museum's maintenance to the point where spots have become unsound. Was it because the Museum has an open water-view of Winter Harbor and Wolfeboro needs a new taxpayer--like a Marina? (A launching ramp has been in place there for ages).

The Museum's elegant and welcoming columns have always been a Lake Winnipesaukee landmark. Has it been a full century, now?


I note that my History thread on "Wolfeboro's Little Airport" has 113,778 views!



Of course, the Town of Wolfeboro abandoned Airport support years ago in favor of Billionaires' ongoing McMansion development.

Will the Town demolish the Museum too?

Do our Selectmen use their early morning hours in Wolfeboro cemeteries, pushing over grave markers?

[tis]

Originally Posted by ApS

Libby Museum faces demolition.



The Town of Wolfeboro has ignored the museum's maintenance to the point where spots have become unsound. Was it because the Museum has an open water-view of Winter Harbor and Wolfeboro needs a new taxpayer--like a Marina? (A launching ramp has been in place there for ages).

The Museum's elegant and welcoming columns have always been a Lake Winnipesaukee landmark. Has it been a full century, now?


I note that my History thread on "Wolfeboro's Little Airport" has 113,778 views!



Of course, the Town of Wolfeboro abandoned Airport support years ago in favor of Billionaires' ongoing McMansion development.

Will the Town demolish the Museum too?

Do our Selectmen use their early morning hours in Wolfeboro cemeteries, pushing over grave markers?

It is very sad to think that the museum is expected to be demolished. It will seem so strange to boat into Winter Harbor and not see that landmark. I am still hoping that a private group will come forward and the selectmen will relinquish trustee ship of it to that group and it can be saved. Because the "Friends of the Libby" had collected. 2.2 million to save it, I believe it is very possible.

[Garcia]

Interesting that there is a thread about the Colonial Theater and how it is a waste of taxpayer dollars, another about how increasing taxes on second homes is simply a money grab, and this one on the need for Wolfboro to save the Libby Museum rather than maximize profit and tax revenue by selling to a private entity.

It's the same in my town. We want to preserve open spaces as that is what draws people here which limits new construction and development opportunities. Without an increase in tax revenue which has to come from existing properties (which creates a hardship for many, especially long time residents) or new construction/development (which is best done on the open space many want to protect) we can'y pay our bills and preserve open space.

[Descant]

Isn't thje museum on the National Registry of Historic Places? I recall the Trustees of Kimball's Castle sold off what they could and suppsedly squandered whatever money was left. I hope the BOS is better than that. About 15 years ago "we" cut the state budget by about 10%. There was a lot of grumbling for those with pet programs, but we all survived and only slowly did we get back to the higher spending level, along with inflation. We buy a new fire engine for $850K because the old one is worn out, but some other town selling ham and bean suppers, buys it, fixes it up and is tickled at their "new" engine. There are different ways to do things and still keep things running.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Descant

Isn't thje museum on the National Registry of Historic Places? I recall the Trustees of Kimball's Castle sold off what they could and suppsedly squandered whatever money was left. I hope the BOS is better than that. About 15 years ago "we" cut the state budget by about 10%. There was a lot of grumbling for those with pet programs, but we all survived and only slowly did we get back to the higher spending level, along with inflation. We buy a new fire engine for $850K because the old one is worn out, but some other town selling ham and bean suppers, buys it, fixes it up and is tickled at their "new" engine. There are different ways to do things and still keep things running.

That's the problem everybody has their pet projects but wants somebody else (the taxpayers) to pay for it. We absolutely could all survive with a lot less. We need to go back to NEEDS not WANTS. I do consider police and fire needs but as you said, they probably don't need shiny new things all the time and could do just as good a job without them. Also, years ago there were almost no recreation programs in the towns and now they have grown out of control. I was even thinking kids could learn just as well sitting in a field as they could sitting in a school. I know that's drastic but it's true. Think of home schooling, right? From what I hear most home schooled kids do very well. Descant, we must be old wanting to go back to smaller government, huh?

[John Mercier]

They will probably have to start a non-profit and seek out grants/donations from some of the more quiet wealthy estates in the area.

[tis]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

They will probably have to start a non-profit and seek out grants/donations from some of the more quiet wealthy estates in the area.

From what I understand nobody has stepped up yet to start this. The Friends who in the past raised all that money do not want to take over the museum so first things first, they need to figure out who would be willing to run it. Then I think the Friends would raise the money.

[Descant]

The Wright Museum and the Boat Museum seem to be doing OK. Perhaps Libby just couldn't build enough support for a more limited audience? I hope the site doesn't go condo. Any idea how much land they have?

[chocophile]

According to the Town of Wolfeboro tax map/info, the lot is 1.54AC with 270' of frontage on Rt. 109 and 260' of frontage on Lang Pond Road. The waterfront parcel across the street is separate. The land alone is assessed at $252K; the building is $1.4M, described as "Excellent" for its age. It was deeded to the town in 1922 by Henry Libby.

[Swimmer215]

Since the Select Board meeting to discuss the fate of the Libby is only a week away: does anyone know whether the "Save the Libby" group has ever come up with a feasibility study, budget, etc. for how much it will take to repair or rebuild the building, and how much it will take to re-staff it and create programs that will entice people to visit? I have contacted that group asking for specifics but have heard nothing. I'd hate to see it dismantled and demolished, but if they haven't worked up any realistic budget and are simply saying, "It must be saved!", that's not very helpful.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Swimmer215

Since the Select Board meeting to discuss the fate of the Libby is only a week away: does anyone know whether the "Save the Libby" group has ever come up with a feasibility study, budget, etc. for how much it will take to repair or rebuild the building, and how much it will take to re-staff it and create programs that will entice people to visit? I have contacted that group asking for specifics but have heard nothing. I'd hate to see it dismantled and demolished, but if they haven't worked up any realistic budget and are simply saying, "It must be saved!", that's not very helpful.

They are working on it. Are you on Facebook? The group "You Know You Are From Wolfeboro, NH If" has quite a bit about it and you can find out who to contact.

[KPW]

I want to know how bad the mold is. That is a major issue.