Greenville Junction Depot roofing project continues, needs support
GREENVILLE JUNCTION — Every time I drive by the depot in Greenville Junction where it perches jauntily alongside the tracks, I think of the icon that old building is, with its unique “witches hat” roof covering the ladies waiting room.
The Canadian Pacific Railroad erected the original building in 1889, while the rounded “witches hat” and ladies waiting room were added later, sometime between 1901 and 1910. But the years took a toll on the building. The Maine Historic Preservation Commission named the Greenville Junction Depot building as the most endangered historic building in Maine in 2008.
Observer photo/Shelagh Talbot
DEPOT ROOF WORK — A crew from Hardy Construction in Brewer works on the Greenville Junction Depot roof. On the lift, from left, are Richard Dempsey and Garret Glatt. On the ground handing up material is Joshua Grant.
The roof has been in dire need of repair for years and, thanks to a small but dedicated group of people, The Greenville Junction Depot Friends, it is finally receiving the attention it needs.
Last fall, a $25,000 grant was awarded to the depot from the Ellis L. Phillips Foundation. This is a small family foundation dedicated to the ideals of Kathryn and Ellis Phillips to identify what needs to be done and make strategic investments that serve as catalysts for the greater good. The depot volunteers were pleased to see that their roof project was off to a great start.
According to Cheri Goodspeed, one of the depot’s longtime supporters, “the $66,000 that we have raised so far with support from many grants such as the Ellis L. Phillips Foundation, the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, the Mildred McEvoy Foundation, Weyerhaeuser and many contributors from near and far, we had hoped would be sufficient,” she said. ‘Unfortunately, this will not be enough to secure the roof in its current condition.
Once the roof was stripped off, it revealed quite a bit of worn and rotten wood, much more than originally expected so our campaigning has got to continue.”
Contributed photo
SHEATHING LAYER — A view of Greenville Junction Depot with layer of sheathing.
The Greenville Junction Depot Friends are hoping that with continued area support and upcoming fundraisers, the roof will be paid for and, once installed, will protect the building for generations to come. Goodspeed noted that the Artisan Show, coming up on Saturday, June 22, at the depot still has a few additional spaces for artists.
“So far we will feature artists Milt Christianson, Gemma Gascoine, Bonita Doughty, Scott Roy and Robin Merkle to name a few,” she said. “But, we do have room for more. The event will take place rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that Saturday. There will be musicians performing and a number wonderful items for the silent auction will be featured, including an extraordinary Wood Lath Art Piece created and donated by Joy Harrington of Rockwood.”
Contributed photo
WHAT’S UNDERNEATH? — Old rotten boards are revealed as covering was stripped away.
In addition, there are more exciting events planned for the depot this summer, including the Trackside Tea Party on July 7 and on August 17, the Annual Depot Celebration occurs, celebrating railroad workers and enthusiasts with mooseburger barbecue, depot tours, silent auction, music and exhibits.
To be part of this effort you have many options for donating: visit their website at www.greenvilledepot.org. Or, if you are an Amazon shopper, look and shop on “SMILEAMAZON.COM” and choose the Depot as the recipient of a donation from Amazon.
You can also pop a check in the mail and send to the Greenville Junction Depot, P.O. Box 16, Greenville ME 04441. Feel free to contact Cheri Goodspeed at 280-0999 for more information, to be part of upcoming events, or how to become part of the worthy effort to save this unique railroad station, “witches hat” and all!