The nonprofit members behind a National Historic Landmark in Perkasie have launched a capital campaign seeking emergency donations.
In May, the Pearl S. Buck House Museum in Perkasie sustained unexpected damage to its roof, ceiling and artifacts, Cheryl Castro, president and CEO of Pearl S. Buck International said in an email sent to its supporters on Sept. 29.
“After enduring last year's severe winter of heavy snow and ice, the historic Pearl S. Buck House Museum has suffered an unfortunate setback. This summer a section of the museum's ceiling unexpectedly collapsed, causing damage to artifacts in our collection and the interior of this treasured landmark and threatening our ability to preserve and share Pearl S. Buck's remarkable legacy,” she
wrote in part.
An estimated $70,000 in repairs and restoration are needed, a cost which falls into the hands of the nonprofit after the insurance claim was denied, she said.
The damage was the result of the prolonged snow accumulation, significant ice damming and a freeze-thaw cycle that impacted several parts of the home’s exterior including the slate roof, soffit, gutters, balcony and lower porch roofs and masonry, said museum curator Stephanie Freise in a phone interview Wednesday.
With winter approaching, their hopes are to quickly raise the needed funds through donations from their supporters. The money would go towards stabilizing and repairing the damaged roof and ceiling, protecting the museum’s interior and collections, and preserving the cultural landmark and Buck’s legacy for future generations to experience.
“If Pearl S. Buck's mission and legacy have touched your life in any way, we hope you will stand with us during this challenging moment. Your generosity today will help ensure that this historic home remains a beacon of hope, education, and cultural understanding for years to come,” Castro said.
Once the home of Buck and her family, the stone farmhouse and estate stand as a living memorial to the Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winning author, philanthropist and human rights advocate.
Today, the museum continues Buck’s legacy through “preservation, interpretation, storytelling, and dialogue, linking the past to the present, to engage diverse audiences, while educating, inspiring, and empowering visitors to become active citizens and humanitarians.”
It also houses an extensive collection of historic artifacts, as well as an archive of papers, correspondences, articles, publications, photographs, and other historical and educational items.
The emergency repairs are the first phase of what they aim to accomplish through the larger capital campaign to restore the house and further their preservation efforts.
Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, food and drink, economic revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Why a National Historic Landmark in Perkasie needs the public's help
