Reher Roof Restoration: Preserving Our History

Written by Scarlett Rigby (Manager of Collections and Museum Operations)

In December of 2022, the Reher Center received its second major capital rehabilitation grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) through its Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). This put us on a path to undergo a much-needed three-quarters of a million-dollar restoration project for our historic building.

Replacing our leaking roof was the priority, but the project also included window restoration, exterior masonry repair, site drainage, and exterior painting. While these may seem like “ordinary” repairs, we are thrilled to have completed this project because it puts us closer to our eventual goal—creating new tourable spaces in the Reher family apartments for visitors to the Reher Center! And we did it all by adhering to the standards set by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), which ensured we followed the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. 

The damage from our roof leak, 101 Broadway’s third-floor interior ceiling photographed in 2022.

On February 23, 2023, I found myself part of a grant orientation meeting with Grants Officer Erin Drost of the OPRHP, Historic Preservationist and Buildings & Grounds Committee member Marissa Marvelli, and our former Executive Director Sarah Litvin. Erin was at the Reher Center to map us through the various steps of how to proceed and comply with the state grant, including how to publicly bid the project. I left the meeting with pages of notes. Little did I realize that these notes would be something I’d return to often over the next 22 months. At the time, I capitalized and bolded, “ANY QUESTIONS ALWAYS ASK ERIN!” Indeed—I did exactly that when needed!

While I had sat in on staff meetings throughout 2022 as a volunteer, I had only been officially working at the Center for two months when this meeting occurred. I was very “green” to all things related to our buildings at 99 and 101 Broadway. But necessity being the mother of invention, I became the grant’s project manager and the person responsible for grant reporting, filing for reimbursements from NY State, filing quarterly progress reports, communicating with our contractor, architect, and Building and Grounds Committee (whose member leaders would liaison with our Board when major decisions were needed). 

As project manager, I tracked all the moving parts, working in concert with everyone to keep the project moving forward. Key to its success, including my sharp learning curve to all things Building and Grounds related, is our Building and Grounds Committee. They are an exceptional group of people who are dedicated volunteers to the Reher Center, meeting weekly to aid the museum. Their contributions are immeasurable! 

Historic Preservationist Marissa Marvelli was always the first person I turned to for help and advice on how to approach an issue. She was always cc’d on emails to our architect and contractor. For financial questions, Nancy Donskoj was there to assist. As a Board member, she also signed off on paperwork related to the project. If I needed details on the building’s history, including work completed during our 2010 state-funded EPF project, I’d ask founding member Geoff Miller. Also a Board member (and Ulster County Historian), he was able to give the full account of the past 20 years of building improvements (Geoff and Nancy have some harrowing stories of what they and the founding members have done to preserve our historic buildings through the years). During multiple walk-throughs, reviews of building plans, and difficult decisions, architect Dorothy Pierson of PS Design would always spot things that we needed to consider and come up with intelligent solutions. Robert Brackman also used his experience in engineering to direct our attention to things we needed to question or consider. 

Marissa Marvelli, Erin Drost, and Sarah Litvin after the grant orientation meeting on February 23, 2023. Photo by Scarlett Rigby.  

PS Design Architect and Buildings & Grounds Committee Member Dorothy Pierson on a site visit with contractor Jude Clary of Titan Roofing, October 23, 2024. Photo by Scarlett Rigby.

Early in the roof project, we noticed we had additional funds in reserve. We explored various possible project additions: the full restoration of all our historic doors, abating the flaking lead-based paint in the entire interior of 101 Broadway, and using a linseed oil paint system on the exterior of 101 Broadway. Sadly, all possible alternatives were postponed due to a project snag in the summer of 2024.  

When the old roof was removed, we discovered additional structural reinforcement was needed. John Stinemire of Stinemire Engineering was brought in to help us with a solution. It was determined that the installation of steel beams were required for structural support. This costly edition prevented any project additions, but we were able to move forward. We ended the project on time, even if over budget and the new roof will shelter us for many years ensuring a bright future for museum operations taking place beneath. 

In the last six months of 2024, the first person I spoke to most mornings was our general contractor Jude Clary of Titan Roofing. I’d wake up, grab my phone, disarm our alarm system, and text Jude, “Good morning, the alarm is disarmed!” before searching out the coffee my partner had brewing for a proper wake-up. I learned that the best way to communicate with our busy architect Marilyn Kaplan of Preservation Architecture was with short and direct emails (no break between the introduction and body of the email—easier to read at a glance). If something needed immediate attention, it was best to call her directly. Without fail, she would always call back that day once she had availability to speak. Having worked with our building for close to 20 years, she knows it up and down, under and over, and inside and out. She would often share insights she came across from other projects and offer advice for future considerations. Personally, it has been such a joy to work with both Jude and Marilyn. They do incredible work throughout the northeast. 

With the many project changes and time-sensitive decisions that we needed to make along the way, I am so proud of how we worked together to make this project a success. I know I’ll miss chatting and laughing with Jude and his wonderful subcontractors who worked on the project (special mention to Tina Reichenbach of Richbrook Conservation, Mr. Harry Judge of Distinctive Cabinetry, LLC, and expert mason Lou Mickle). We could not have had a better or more professional team of people working on this project.

The results certainly show it, and we look forward to reopening our doors in 2025!

Steel was installed into the roof of 101 Broadway on October 5, 2024. Photo by Marissa Marvelli.

Marissa Marvelli, Keith Kovel (Titan Roofing), Marilyn Kaplan, and Jude Clary during a site visit on October 8, 2024. Photo by Scarlett Rigby.

Tina Reichenbach of Richbrook Conservation on May 24, 2024. Photo by Marissa Marvelli.

Since I cannot personally take you on a tour of our new roof—here it is (see photo below)! Who knew I would be so excited to share a picture of a newly finished roof?!

Scarlet Rigby is the Reher Center’s Manager of Collections and Museum Operations. She started at the Reher Center in January of 2022 as a volunteer museum registrar, inventorying collections. She serves on the Building and Grounds, Collections, and Exhibitions Committees.