Phase II – Basement

New Steel Beam Support

This Phase included improvements to the building itself and in this section the foundation was improved to better support the building. See the slide show showing the basement improvements of Phase II made in 2006 and 2007. See first Grange Hall post for more information.

• complete architectural and engineering plans
• all state permits required so far have been obtained
• leveled the sagging floor
• leveled the basement floor and add gravel
• installed insulated sub-basement heating ducts
• installed engineered iron support beam system under floor
• replaced rotted southeast corner post and other damaged pieces
• built shell of addition to house lift and baths
• added cement block to the foundation and raise grade
• attach well and septic service into building
• original balcony and coffered ceiling revealed
• restoration of the exterior shell
• replace windows to original tall design
• exterior painting and grading

Phase I

In 2000 the society, working under the Board of Selectmen, formed the Historic Buildings Preservation Committee (HBPC) to restore and repair the town’s historic public buildings. At present restoration of the North Chittenden Grange Hall is under way. The 1833 building originally housed a Congregational Church, but by the early 1880s it became a Grange Hall. In 1906 it was purchased by the town and used as a town hall, alternating with the one in South Chittenden. Having fallen into disrepair, it is being restored for use as a cultural and recreational center to embrace all ages of residents.

It is a landmark building sitting on a hill overlooking the village of Holden and still retains many of its original features, beaded wainscoting, period moldings, a small balcony and coffered ceilings.

Phase I was to install the well, septic field and relocate the entrance to the original. See the completed work in the photo gallery below.

Changes are taking place at the old Grange Hall in North Chittenden. The Historic Building Preservations Committee, which operates only with the approval of both the Selectmen and the Historical Society, has been planning the restoration of the historic 1830 building for a while, and now the plans are being put into action. This fall the project was broken into five phases to achieve use of the building as soon as possible. The first phase, scheduled for 2006, was to install the well and septic system and to move the access back to the original road site. And it is done!

In the spring of 2007, construction will begin on the shell of a small addition on the southeast side. This will also address some structural conditions on the southeast side and roof. An engineered support system will be installed under the Grange Hall floor. (The pronounced sag in the floor was one reason the Selectmen banned use of the building for safety reasons.) The finished lower level will include a catering kitchen plus a bathroom and lift in the small addition.

Later, a third phase will address the outer shell; the fourth, the interior of the hall, the addition and the lower level; and last will be the final landscaping.

The committee welcomes donations of labor, materials and expertise to keep the project’s cost to the taxpayers as low as possible. Financial support is welcome also. Please support the forthcoming fundraising activities in the works for later in the spring. Donations by check may be made to Town of Chittenden Historic Preservation Fund, Chittenden Town Clerk, PO Box 89, Chittenden, VT 05737.