Dexter's best-known historical structure is taking its first steps on the long road to restoration.
The Dexter Historical Society is raising money to replace the roof of Gordon Hall, just west of downtown. Original estimates put roof and chimney repairs at $100,000. That figure was reduced to $30,000 when it became apparent that the chimneys wouldn't have to be rebuilt.
So far the society has raised $19,000 and hopes to finish fundraising soon. The society has already purchased the home and surrounding acreage for $1.5 million, replaced the front porch and cleaned up the grounds and surrounding farmland.
"That's 67 acres that have been farmed ever since the house was built," says Paul Bishop, chair of the Gordon Hall Committee for the Dexter Historical Society. "The historical society wanted to preserve it and the acreage."
Judge Dexter, who founded Dexter, built the grand white house in 1841. He lived there for 12 years and the house remained in his family until 1899 when his third wife died. One of Judge Dexter's granddaughters bought it in 1939 and restored it.
The University of Michigan purchased the property in 1950 and turned it into four apartments. The society bought it in 2006 with the idea of restoring it to its mid 1800s grandeur.
"We want to eventually turn it back to what it was in 1865," Bishop says. "That takes a lot of money."
It will cost somewhere in the area of $35,000 and $40,000 just to create a master plan for the property, which is the next step after the roof is replaced. Once done, local leaders see the property serving as a great asset for the village.
"We think it's going to be as important to us as Central Park is to New York," Bishop says. "It's 67 acres that's going to be preserved."
Source: Paul Bishop, chair of the Gordon Hall Committee for the Dexter Historical Society
Writer: Jon Zemke
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