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closeMansion to receive face-lift
Nate Hulings
Roland Smith is helping restore the original design of Meeker Mansion one maple frame at a time.
The woodworker, who recently moved from Wyoming after living his entire life in Tacoma, is spending a good portion of this week replacing missing maple headpieces and base trim in the mansion’s billiard room. Smith estimates the project will cost nearly $10,000 but adds that the house has some of the fanciest trim on the West Coast.
“When it all comes together it’s going to be amazing,” Smith said.
On past projects, sometimes all Smith had to work with was old paint lines on the walls from original cupboards. But for this specific project Smith has physical representations to work with. A window in the billiard room that has its original wooden framing can be copied for the window across the room that needs work. He also can use more than 50 patterns of material saved throughout the years to make the reconstruction exact.
The cost and reconstruction of the mansion does not end with Smith’s work in the billiard room, Meeker Historical Society President Andy Anderson said.
The society recently applied for a state grant that could bring in $100,000 for work on the mansion. The two-for-one grant would require the society to come up with $200,000 in funds, which Anderson said is almost accomplished.
Next in line for a face lift are the cracked ceilings and restoration of the carriage entrance where the current gift shop is located. This is one of the only rooms in the house where photographs accurately reflect original designs, including stained glass and multiple doors.
Anderson said he will not hear from the state until fall regarding the grant’s preliminary hearing and does not expect any final decision until early next year.
The Meeker Historical Society is also receiving $11,000 from the Medina Foundation for future woodworking, Anderson said.
He hopes the hard work being done by Smith is recognized by local residents.
“It’s absolutely gorgeous, we’re ticked pink,” Anderson said. “We hope people will come to see the work in progress and hope the community as a whole will respond and use the mansion and its grounds as a community place.”