A workman from Consigli Construction moves a piece of granite into place on the front of the library this week. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Passing by the library, people may have noticed scaffolding outside and may be wondering why work is being done to the library that was completed a little more than a year ago. Early on in the construction of the new library, the masonry subcontractor found instability in the brick facade above the door to Old Bromfield which was not anticipated. It was obvious that there had been repairs to this area sometime in the past and that the work was cosmetic and the underlying structural stability problem was never corrected. As co-chair of the building committee I decided, after reviewing the situation and the cost estimated to perform restoration work, that such a financial commitment early in the project would be too risky. Our architect indicated that there was no safety hazard and agreed that there would be little risk in delaying the repairs until sometime after the project was completed. The building committee concurred.
The trustees of the Bromfield School, who lease the building and property to the library trustees, have now decided to fund the repairs to this historic entryway using Bromfield Trust funds. After the one-year warranty period ended on the new library, I requested bids from contractors and selected Consigli Construction Co. to do the work. This work should be completed by early December.
It is interesting to note that Margaret Bromfield Blanchard’s will, which set up the trust and funded the Bromfield School’s construction as well as maintenance and funding of the school in 1877, specifically required that “the words ‘Bromfield School’ shall be cut on a stone tablet to be affixed to its front, and that by this name it shall always be known and designated.” Above this sign is what is believed to be the Bromfield family shield. It is the shield, other stonework, and brick above this sign that are the subjects of our restoration effort.
Pete Jackson, Bromfield School trustee
Jacob Gates Road
