Museum roof project has been completed

By BOB SHRALUKA

WZBD.com

A lengthy and expensive project has the Dugan Museum Mansion in Decatur under a new roof which should last another 100 or so years!

Finding some worrisome leaks in the original roof of its museum mansion last November, the Adams County Historical Society began in January a project to completely replace the roof of the 124-year-old structure.

The work has now been completed.

The cost of the project, around $64,000 (including some pop-up repairs), was entirely funded by donations and grants.

And the bill is “probably” paid. “The last time I talked to our treasurer, we were just bout $2,000 short,” said Sandy Collier, president of the historical society. “But we have someone who has said they will cover that.”

The latest grant, worth $4,999, came from the Indiana Historical Society.

“The roof project’s completion ensures the preservation and continued use of the Charles Dugan Mansion as the Adams County Historical Society Museum, a valuable resource for local history and artifacts,” the society says on it website.

“Yes, I think we should be good for another 120 or so years,” Collier laughed.

The need for the project can be traced to last November when some leaks were discovered. The original slate roof had developed leaks due to rusted nails and metal strips previously installed and sealed with pitch that had failed over time.

“This is work that needs to be completed sooner rather than later,” museum officials said at the time. “If the leaks are not repaired, the entire structure, along with the collections held within, will be jeopardized.”

So a three-phase project to completely replace the roof was decided upon, then launched in January.
The task was handed to Wellman Brothers, Inc., of Coldwater, Ohio, which had done work at the museum in the past.