The King Solomon Lodge restoration project continues to make great progress. This building reached its 150th anniversary this year. It is one of the very few original structures around Cedar Grove Cemetery to have survived the Great Fire of 1922.
The focus right now is to stabilize the exterior of the building. A new standing seam metal roof was installed and the cupola was rebuilt. New siding has been installed on the south side along with new window frames. The window sashes should be installed in the next few weeks. The cinder block skirt over the original brick foundation has been removed on the south side. It makes the building look so much better.
If you have not been by the Lodge recently, take a drive by to see the transformation. This has been a great joint effort between the Foundation and King Solomon Lodge (KSL). Donations have come in from as far as Florida, Arkansas, and New York. Newsom Williams and Fred Smith have done a superb job of managing the project and keeping everyone focused.
Newsom is a Foundation board member and long-time supporter. Fred is Worshipful Master of the Lodge and has become a strong advocate for preservation. Stanley Trice has been an invaluable help with his grant writing expertise.
Tripp Eure and David Griffith of MBF Architects have donated their time to help with cost estimates and construction matters. Barry and Herb from Camden Woodworks have provided exceptional woodworking craftsmanship in historic restoration.