‘Learning’ pavilion well on its way
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — It might look like a simple pavilion heading skyward but in actuality, it’s a catalyst for history and education — just what Gertrude Chandler Warner would have asked for.
The assembly of the pavilion, next to the museum, was completed April 4 and now the next parts of the projects are being lined up, according to Gertrude Chandler Warner boxcar Children Museum Director Pat Hedenberg. She is working on the next steps: The electrical work by Chaput Electric, fence installation by Killingly Fence. Iron Horse Property Services, a division of NEPS which will do the fence site work, stones, picnic tables and more. The fence will run 265 feet along the top of the hill at the at the South Main Street site, fence site work
The project is funded by through a $45,000 grant from Spirol Charities Foundation. The pavilion will be used for crafts, music, lessons and even town events, according to Hedenberg. The annual visit of third-graders is set for April 30 and May 1.
When the kids come, the buses run between the Municipal Complex (where they learn about Gertrude Warner and Putnam’s history at the library and Aspinock Historical Society) and the boxcar museum. If it’s raining when they visit the boxcar, there isn’t enough room for the students in the boxcar and the buses may or may not be at the museum.
The Kotter Farms prefabricated 14 by 20 foot pavilion was assembled by Bahler Brothers of South Windsor. Bahler Brothers works for Kotter Farms which is where the white vinyl pavilion was ordered from. The trio said they built 25 of them last year, averaging 4 to 5 per month. “We have nine already this month,” one of the workers said.
The pavilion will be named in honor of Fred Hedenberg who made the boxcar museum happen.
The educational use for the pavilion is only fitting as Putnam’s favorite daughter, Gertrude Chandler Warner, author of the Boxcar series of children’s books, was an elementary school teacher.
caption:
The pavilion at the Gertrude Chandler Warner Boxcar Children Museum is assembled and just a few more touches are on their way. Linda Lemmon photos.
UPDATE: The pavilion was finished, fully assembled by Friday and Chaput Electric came on Tuesday to put in the electric.