blog

Now Hiring: Wilder Center Director of Marketing

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:00:00 -0500

The Charles T. Wilder Center is seeking a Director of Marketing with experience in developing and executing a comprehensive marketing strategy using both traditional and on-line media. This full-time position will require the production and promotion of regular monthly events at Wilder Center such as movie nights, a music performance series, adult education classes, and pop-up dinners, to name a few. Additionally, the position will require the marketing and management of private events including weddings, birthday parties, retirement parties, corporate meetings, annual fundraising galas and other services that already recognize Wilder Center as the premier event center in the Upper Valley. Interested applicants should direct inquiries and resumes to info@WilderCenter.com or to Wilder Center LLC, P.O. Box 924, Wilder, VT 05088. No telephone calls, please.

A few Wilder Pews still available for purchase

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 03:15:00 -0500

There are still a few Wilder pews available for purchase. We have two straight 6'10" pews and one angled 7'5" pew. Pricing: $250 per pew. Please contact vicky@wildercenter.com for more information or to arrange a visit.

Please contact vicky@wildercenter.com for more information or to arrange a visit.

"Live Another Day" is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray!

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 08:00:00 -0500

"Live Another Day", the inspiring documentary chronicling the restoration of Wilder Center, is now available to own on DVD and Blu-Ray!

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<option value="BluRay">BluRay $20.00 USD</option>

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The film, by Sean Clauson, a Hanover filmmaker, captivates the audience with touching testimonials from those who know the building best. Through interviews with neighbors, craftsmen, and the owner, a story of personal connections, treasured memories, and a sense of place is uncovered. Using time lapse photography, the building restoration is powerfully shown including repair of the Seth Thomas tower clock and the George Stevens organ, one of the oldest pipe organs in Vermont. Nominated for a National Historic Preservation Award, the reborn Wilder Center provides a compelling tribute to the spirit of community and to the passion behind preserving iconic buildings.

Click here to download an order form to request your disc today!

2011 "Live Another Day" Movie Premiere at Wilder Center

Theatrical "On Demand": Wilder Center now a participating Tugg Venue

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 11:00:00 -0400

Click here to check out the available films and schedule your screening today!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Vicky Pridgen; 802.698.8368; vicky@wildercenter.com

Wilder Center is now a participating Tugg, Inc. venue!
Theatrical “On Demand”: Letting Customers Control What Comes to Their Local Theaters

To view the film library and schedule a Wilder Center screening for your group, please click to www.tugg.com/titles.

June 25, 2012 – Wilder, Vt. – Wilder Center is pleased to announce that it is now a participating theater in Tugg’s theatrical “on demand” program. Tugg, Inc. (“Tugg”) is a collective action web-platform based in Austin, TX that enables individuals to choose the films that play in their local theaters. Wilder Center will provide a theatrical venue for individually curated events showcasing Tugg’s growing library of hundreds of studio and independent films.

The first Tugg event organized at Wilder Center was a July 12
screening of One Day on Earth (2012), a documentary work that was filmed in every country of the world on the same day. For event details, please click to www.tugg.com/events/782.

Tugg co-founders Nicolas Gonda, CEO, and Pablo Gonzalez, COO, have created an innovative way for moviegoers to experience the films of their choice in a theatrical setting. Through Tugg, individuals are empowered to select a film, screening time, and nearby theater, and then spread the word to their immediate and online community. Once a necessary amount of people commit to attending, the event will be confirmed, and Tugg will reserve the theater, manage ticketing and ensure delivery of the film; allowing the audience to sit back and enjoy the show.

"Every film speaks to a different person, and the most exciting thing about Tugg is that it allows for audiences to find their films and films to find their audiences. We are eager to offer a platform that enables studios, filmmakers and exhibitors to have unprecedented interaction with communities and influencers," said Tugg co-founders Gonda and Gonzalez.

Tugg's partnerships with distributors and independent filmmakers have helped build an extensive library of content for audiences to choose from. In addition, Tugg's demand-based infrastructure provides an exceptional platform for offering new releases to targeted markets across the country, and creates exciting opportunities for new films to reach theaters and audiences through a local, community-based approach.

"As the creators were first showing me Tugg, I had the same sensation I had when I first started using Facebook. This was a brilliant, well-executed concept that could really change things for our business in a significant way," said Alamo Drafthouse CEO/Founder Tim League.

The Tugg team and its advisory board embody a strong collective of industry and media experience in the realms of production, development, marketing and distribution. Gonda, a producer on The Tree of Life, got his inspiration for Tugg while working all over the world with filmmakers Terrence Malick and Steven Soderbergh. Gonzalez, an experienced high-tech and marketing executive, leads Tugg's development and operations. In working towards this innovative new initiative, Tugg is privileged to have a board of advisors that includes writer/actor/director Ben Affleck, writer/director Richard Linklater and writer/director Terrence Malick.

To learn more about how Tugg works, visit the "How To" page at www.tugg.com/howtuggworks or click here for a WPTZ interview about Tugg at Wilder Center. To view the film library and schedule a screening for your group, please click to www.tugg.com/titles.

Wilder Center honored at 2012 Preservation Awards

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 13:30:00 -0400

&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong style="font-weight: bold;" mce_style="font-weight: bold;"&amp;gt;FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style="font-weight: normal;" mce_style="font-weight: normal;"&amp;gt;Contact&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;: Vicky Pridgen;&amp;nbsp;802.698.8368;&amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;a href="mailto:vicky@wildercenter.com" mce_href="mailto:vicky@wildercenter.com"&amp;gt;vicky@wildercenter.com&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p style="text-align: left;" mce_style="text-align: left;"&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Wilder Center receives award for Preserving Vermont’s Architecture&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;Preservation Trust of Vermont honors the Center and David Clem at annual conference&amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;June 13, 2012 – Wilmington, Vt. – On Friday, June 8, Wilder Center received an award for Outstanding Work in Preserving Vermont’s Architecture at the Preservation Trust of Vermont’s 2012 Preservation Awards Celebration during the 12&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;th&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;&amp;nbsp;Annual Historic Preservation and Downtown Conference in Wilmington, VT.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img src="assets/Uploads/_resampled/resizedimage600400-award.jpg" mce_src="assets/Uploads/_resampled/resizedimage600400-award.jpg" alt="Click to display image" width="600" height="400" title=""/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;div style="width: 600px;"&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Wilder Center team at 2012 Preservation Awards Ceremony in Wilmington, VT&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;/div&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A former congregational church built in 1890, Wilder Center was fully restored in 2010 by Lyme Properties, a Hanover, NH based real estate development company led by David Clem who was co-named on the Preservation Award.&amp;nbsp; The meticulous restoration and adaptive reuse saved a neighborhood landmark that was perilously close to being destroyed, and the result is a modern event facility that pays homage to the rich history of the building and the surrounding village of Wilder, Vermont. &amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; The Center is a "contributing building" to the Wilder Village Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure was in serious disrepair and dangerously close to collapse when Lyme Properties purchased the building in the summer of 2009. An architect who did a condition assessment on the building in 2008, observed, “…the bell tower is standing only by the memory that it once had nails!” Lyme facilitated a neighborhood planning process&amp;nbsp;with Wilder residents&amp;nbsp;which not only helped to generate goodwill&amp;nbsp;among&amp;nbsp;the neighbors, it also allowed the community to be meaningfully involved in the future use of the building.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Lyme preserved the original architectural character of the 5,000 square foot structure, while adding new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to meet modern building codes and life-safety requirements, and make the building energy efficient and cost-effective to operate. Minor additions were designed for the east and north sides of the existing building providing ADA access, legal egress, and code compliant restrooms.&amp;nbsp; The 1840’s George Stevens pipe organ and the interior of the former church were completely repaired while retaining the original stained glass windows and wood floors.&amp;nbsp; The 1928 Seth Thomas tower clock, and 1890 Meneely bell were all repaired and returned to operation, once again keeping time for the village of Wilder. &amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://www.wildercenter.com/" mce_href="http://www.wildercenter.com/"&amp;gt;Wilder Center&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; provides a contemporary example of how private investment in historical small-town buildings can achieve preservation goals, green and sustainable construction, and financial viability. The restoration sets an excellent example for small towns looking to preserve their historic churches and leverage preservation efforts to revitalize the entire community.&amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; The &amp;lt;a href="http://www.ptvermont.org/" mce_href="http://www.ptvermont.org/"&amp;gt;Preservation Trust of Vermont&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; is a statewide non-profit organization founded in 1980 whose mission is to help communities save and use historic places. Much of their focus is on strengthening downtowns, village centers, local initiatives, and capacity.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p align="center"&amp;gt;###&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p style="text-align: left;" mce_style="text-align: left;"&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href="assets/Uploads/Order-FormLAD-Discs.pdf" mce_href="assets/Uploads/Order-FormLAD-Discs.pdf" target="_blank"&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img class="right" src="assets/Uploads/_resampled/resizedimage237320-LADposter2.jpg" mce_src="assets/Uploads/_resampled/resizedimage237320-LADposter2.jpg" width="118" alt="" title=""/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;"Live Another Day", the inspiring documentary chronicling the restoration of Wilder Center, is&amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;a href="assets/Uploads/Order-FormLAD-Discs.pdf" mce_href="assets/Uploads/Order-FormLAD-Discs.pdf" target="_blank"&amp;gt;available to own&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; on DVD and Blu-Ray. &amp;nbsp;The film, by Hanover filmmaker Sean Clauson, captivates the audience with touching testimonials from those who know the building best. Through interviews with neighbors, craftsmen, and the owner, a story of personal connections, treasured memories, and a sense of place is uncovered. Using time lapse photography, the building restoration is powerfully shown including repair of the Seth Thomas tower clock and the George Stevens organ, one of the oldest pipe organs in Vermont. Click &amp;lt;a title="Order Form" href="http://assets/Uploads/Order-FormLAD-Discs.pdf" mce_href="http://assets/Uploads/Order-FormLAD-Discs.pdf"&amp;gt;here&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; to download an order form to request your disc today.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Vicky Pridgen; 802.698.8368; vicky@wildercenter.com

Wilder Center receives award for Preserving Vermont’s Architecture
Preservation Trust of Vermont honors the Center and David Clem at annual conference

June 13, 2012 – Wilmington, Vt. – On Friday, June 8, Wilder Center received an award for Outstanding Work in Preserving Vermont’s Architecture at the Preservation Trust of Vermont’s 2012 Preservation Awards Celebration during the 12^th Annual Historic Preservation and Downtown Conference in Wilmington, VT.

Wilder Center is a former congregational church built in 1890 that was fully restored in 2010 by Lyme Properties, a Hanover, NH based real estate development company led by David Clem who was co-named on the Preservation Award. This meticulous restoration and adaptive reuse saved a neighborhood landmark that was perilously close to being destroyed, and the result is a modern event facility that pays homage to the rich history of the building and the surrounding village of Wilder, Vermont.

Wilder Center team at 2012 Preservation Awards Ceremony in Wilmington, VT

The Center is a "contributing building" to the Wilder Village Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure was in serious disrepair and dangerously close to collapse when Lyme Properties purchased the building in the summer of 2009. An architect who did a condition assessment on the building in 2008, observed, “…the bell tower is standing only by the memory that it once had nails!” Lyme facilitated a neighborhood planning process with Wilder residents which not only generated goodwill among the neighbors, it also allowed them to be meaningfully involved in the future use of the building.

Lyme preserved the original architectural character of the 5,000 square foot structure, while adding new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to meet modern building codes and life-safety requirements, and make the building energy efficient and cost-effective to operate. Minor additions were designed for the east and north sides of the existing building providing ADA access, legal egress, and code compliant restrooms. The 1840’s George Stevens pipe organ and the interior of the former church were completely repaired while retaining the original stained glass windows and wood floors. The 1928 Seth Thomas tower clock, and 1890 Meneely bell were all repaired and returned to operation, once again keeping time for the village of Wilder.

Wilder Center provides a contemporary example of how private investment in historical small-town buildings can achieve preservation goals, green and sustainable construction, and financial viability. The restoration sets an excellent example for small towns looking to preserve their historic churches and leverage preservation efforts to revitalize the entire community.

The Preservation Trust of Vermont is a statewide non-profit organization founded in 1980 whose mission is to help communities save and use historic places. Much of their focus is on strengthening downtowns, village centers, local initiatives, and capacity.

###

April 2012: SOL FOOD, h.ART Gallery, and the Mediterranean Diet!

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 11:00:00 -0400

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Muppetational Movie Night: Many thanks to all those who came out and packed the house last weekend for The Muppets! Stay posted for future Wilder Center movie nights, and be sure to send us an email if you have a film suggestion!

Eat Cookies for a Cause on Sunday, April 1 from 1-3PM as twenty home bakers from around the Upper Valley tempt you with their most larapin' taste treats as they strive to achieve the honor of "Best Cookie" and other prizes generously donated by King Arthur Flour. For just a $5 donation to the Upper Valley Haven, attendees will sample up to six cookies and vote for their favorite!

Sol Food Dance Party on Saturday, April 7: Head over to Wilder Center on Saturday, April 7 for a Spring Fever Dance Party! Sol Food is a local band that plays New Orleans brass, jazz, soul, and funk music featuring Kaitlyn Sheehan (vocals), Dave Ellis (trumpet), Don Glasgo (valve trombone), Alex Barnett (keyboards), Andy Bourke (bass), and Bob Sparadeo (drums). Admission is $10 at the door and a cash bar (beer/wine/soda) will be available courtesy of Maple Street Catering. Come on out next Saturday between 8-11PM to shake everything you've got... bring a friend, or find one on the dance floor!

The Mediterranean Diet Cooking Class on April 13 from 5:30-7:30PM: The Mediterranean Diet and lifestyle have been shown to produce weight loss and reduce risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and some cancers. Class participants will receive resources on how to put the concepts learned into daily practice, as well as hands-on cooking instruction to help plan, shop, and cook a Mediterranean Diet. For details, please contact instructor Amy Tuller, RD CDE, at amyrd@together.net.

h.ART Gallery: April 14: The h.ART Gallery is a one night exhibition featuring the fantastic artwork of five up and coming young artists from around the Upper Valley. It is commission-free to the artists and free to the public. Come support local art while listening to great music and enjoying delicious food!

Rural Vermont Celebration on May 16: Save the date for this festive occasion and annual gathering to celebrate Rural Vermont's recent progress towards Vermonters Feeding Vermonters. Acclaimed author Ben Hewitt will give the keynote address titled "The Future is in the Dirt", a lively presentation and conversation that digs into the challenges and potential of Vermont's rapidly growing local foods movement. For details, click here.

Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest photos and news of upcoming events!

Tel: (802) 698-8368
Email: vicky@wildercenter.com
2087 Hartford Avenue, PO Box 924
Wilder, VT 05088

March 2012: Movie Night, Cookie Extravaganza, and More!

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:13:00 -0400

Click here view this email in a browser, and enter your email address here to receive our monthly updates delivered straight to your inbox!

News & Events at Wilder Center: March 13, 2012

We had a great turnout at the first Wilder Blood Drive... First time blood donors made up one-fifth of total donors at the recent Wilder Blood Drive which was a remarkable ratio, according to Red Cross officials. Thank you to everyone who made this drive a success!

The Muppets are coming to Wilder Center! Recently we asked what kind of activities you wanted to see here and with 72 votes the most popular response was "Movie Night". Join us on the Wilder side of White River at 6:30PM on Saturday, March 24 to spend an evening with The Muppets! Movie admission is $5 and half of ticket profits will go to benefit the restoration of Root School House. Limited ticket pre-sale is currently available, please visit our Events Calendar for more information.

Judges are needed for the Wild Cookie Extravaganza on Sunday, April 1, 2012. It's no joke... head to Wilder Center on April Fool's Day between 1:00-3:00PM to eat cookies for a cause! Members of the public are invited to attend as 20 home bakers vie for prizes (and bragging rights!) in the first-ever Wild Cookie Extravaganza. For just a $5 donation to the Upper Valley Haven, attendees get the chance to sample up to six cookies and vote for their favorite. Children under 10 are free. Don't miss this terrific event, brought to you by King Arthur Flour and Wilder Center! For event details, please click here.

On Saturday, April 14, we will host the the h.ART Gallery in Wilder Center. The Youth Managed Cafe is an organization working towards helping youth become positive and productive members of society through the arts and business. The h.ART Gallery will feature five local artists and is free to the public and commission free to the artists. Please join us on Saturday, April 14 from 5:00-9:00PM to support this fabulous community initiative.

One of the questions we hear the most often is "So... what kind of events do you have there, anyway?" To date in 2012, we have hosted birthday parties, staff trainings, an awards ceremony, memorial services, corporate board meetings, baby showers, and a blood drive. We look forward to facilitating many more of your events in the months to come! Interested in hosting your own event at Wilder Center? Contact us for more information!

Vicky Pridgen Named Manager of Wilder Center

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:10:21 -0500

Lyme Properties is pleased to announce the hiring of Vicky Pridgen as Manager of Wilder Center. An Upper Valley native and graduate of Hanover High School, Vicky graduated from Rice University in 2007.

Before her return to the Upper Valley, Vicky served for two years in the Peace Corps in Niger, West Africa, where she led a variety of community initiatives consistent with the mission of Wilder Center. Most recently, Vicky was employed by the development office at Dartmouth College and added part-time jobs at Trumbull House Bed & Breakfast and Hanover Inn Catering to her resume.

Vicky brings a strong work ethic and a broad base of knowledge regarding Upper Valley organizations to the Wilder Center team. In 2012, she will launch regular events to showcase the convenience of the location and flexibility of the space for educational and entertainment activities. At the same time, Vicky will manage the growing number of private parties, corporate retreats, and community groups that have discovered Wilder Center as their favorite event center in the Upper Valley.

To join our mailing list to receive periodic updates of news and events, click here http://www.wildercenter.com/newsletter-signup/. If you would like to learn more about hosting an event at Wilder Center, please contact Vicky Pridgen at vicky@wildercenter.com or call (802) 698-8368.

A Season To Be Thankful

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:43:30 -0500

With the holiday season upon us, there is so much to be thankful for.

From weddings, to corporate retreats, theater performances, a lecture series, open houses and movie premieres, we've seen a splendid variety of events at Wilder Center this fall.

We were happy to host the costuming efforts of Trumbull Hall Troupe, who were displaced by flood damage from Hurricane Irene. We also welcomed the group, Upper Valley Strong, who is leading the charge to consolidate and maximize flood relief efforts here in Hartford, Vermont and beyond.

Our Marketing Luncheon saw a wonderful turnout of professionals and business leaders who helped to provide important feedback that will guide our future marketing decisions.

We look forward to sharing our historic building and modern amenities with many more this new year!

For questions or to start planning your next event please email info@wildercenter.com or call (802) 698-8368.

Help your neighbors in need:

The Hartford-Norwich Holiday Basket Helpers need your help. For over 30 years this local non-profit organization has been helping to provide gifts of warm clothing and cherished toys to children in need in our Upper Valley.

Please help to bring the joy of the season to a local child in need. Go to www.holidaybasketsvt.org and sign up to sponsor a child today.

Wilder Center celebrates one year anniversary with the premiere of "Live Another Day"

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:09:55 -0400

Join us on Saturday, October 22nd, for our Anniversary Open House and Movie Premiere of "Live Another Day." This inspiring documentary chronicles the restoration of Wilder Center.

Saturday evening will come to life with two showings, at 7PM and 9PM. The film, by Sean Clauson, a Hanover filmmaker, captivates the audience with touching testimonials from those who know the building best and fascinating time-lapse cinematography. Nominated for a National Historic Preservation Award, Wilder Center has a fascinating history that inspires a spirit of community and passion for protecting inconic buildings.

The day will include fun family-friendly activities from 1-5PM. Activities range from cookie decorating with King Arthur Flour, to face painting, coloring contests, fall crafts, and a showcase of costumes and song from the Trumbull Hall Troupe.

We hope to see you there!

Wilder Center Organ Dedication Ceremony

Thu, 26 May 2011 13:24:19 -0400

&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://vimeo.com/24276488" mce_href="http://vimeo.com/24276488"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Wilder Center Organ Dedication&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; from &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://vimeo.com/wildercenter" mce_href="http://vimeo.com/wildercenter"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Wilder Center&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; on &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://vimeo.com" mce_href="http://vimeo.com"&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Vimeo&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;.&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;On Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 the Wilder Center hosted a dedication ceremony and concert for the restored 1840s George Stevens Pipe Organ. Members of the restoration team from A. David Moore Inc. were in attendance, and Lyme Properties presented a plaque commemorating the craftsmen who have worked on this instrument over the years.&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

On Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 the Wilder Center hosted a dedication ceremony and concert for the restored 1840s George Stevens Pipe Organ. Members of the restoration team from A. David Moore Inc. were in attendance, and Lyme Properties presented a plaque commemorating the craftsmen who have worked on this instrument over the years. Ed Boadway of the Vermont Organ Project prepared an explanation and history of the instrument, which can be downloaded here.

The Architectural Origins of the Wilder Center

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:08:02 -0400

The Wilder Center has been an iconic landmark in the village of Wilder since its construction in 1890, but until recently we did now know who was responsible for the striking architectural design of the building. The original construction contract from July 1, 1889 (Click here to download as a PDF) holds a number of clues, but it took some additional research to uncover the story of the original design.

On Page 12 of the contract it reads "the entire outside to be finished in the general style of plans and cut shown in Cong'l church Building Quarterly for Dec. 1885, known as the Huron church." The publication it refers to is the Church Building Quarterly, a periodical of the American Congregational Union that documented the growth of congregations throughout the United States. We contacted the Congregational Christian Historical Society at the Congregational Library in Boston, Massachusetts in hopes of tracking down an archived copy of the 1885 issue in question.

Congregational Library Archivist Jessica Steytler was able to track down the book, but it was too delicate to photocopy or scan. Instead, she sent us these photographs of the Huron church plans. The Huron congregation was organized in 1884 and the building was completed in 1885.

Additional research through the later editions of Church Building Quarterly available on GoogleBooks (October 1889. Volume VII, Number 4) uncovered a reprinting of the same design, but this time included the name of the architectural firm: L.B. Valk & Son. At the time Valk & Son were based in Brooklyn, New York, where they had designed a number of churches that still stand today. They would eventually move to California, where they started advertising their "New Church Plan," boasting 30 years of experience in designing churches.

One interesting note is that Lawrence B. Valk had previously worked under Alexander Saeltzer, who is credited with the design of the Astor Library (now the Joseph Papp Public Theatre), and the 1854 Academy of Music which is no longer standing and was panned when it first opened. One New York Times editorial from 1854 wrote, "the shape of the theatre is fatal to anything like perfect vision. A giraffe could not see round some of the corners." Valk's later work displays a better understanding of performance space design, as seen in the "New Church Plan" floorplan that was adopted in the design of the Olcott church (Wilder Center). Valk & Son would go on to design some of the first movie theaters in California in the early 20th century.

The October 1889 edition of Church Building Quarterly gives mention to the church underway in Olcott, Vermont, and identifies Mr. E. Goss as the architect. We assume it was Mr. Edward Goss, who designed and built a number of other buildings in what is now the Wilder Historic District, including 2018 Hartford Avenue and 65 Hawthorn Street. A closer look at the last page of the original contract reveals E. Goss listed under the contractor, S.S. Ordway and Co.

Similarities can be seen between the two buildings, though Mr. Goss clearly adapted the Valk design and likely added the architectural flourish of the floating roof over the south entrance vestibule. The interior and exterior paint colors were also left to the discretion of the Congregation's Building Committee.

In 2009 Lyme Properties selected UK Architects of Hanover, N.H. to prepare construction plans for the restoration of the Wilder Center that preserved the original architectural character of the building, while adding the eastern addition and bringing the structure up to modern codes. The result is a wonderful combination of excellent architectural design from Valk & Son, Edward Goss, and UK Architects that we hope will stand for another 120 years in Wilder.

Photographs of Church Building Quarterly courtesy of the Congregational Library, Boston, Massachusetts (Church Building Quarterly, December 1885). Special thanks to Jessica Steytler.
"The New Church Plan" advertisement is from The Advance, Chicago, Illinois, published 1/1/1903. Accessed via GoogleBooks.
Historic photographs of Wilder Center interior courtesy of Hartford Historical Society.

An Exciting Discovery About the George Stevens Pipe Organ

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:00:00 -0400

When we at Lyme Properties first discovered the 1840s George Stevens Pipe Organ hidden behind a partition wall in the former sanctuary we had no idea what a rich history this instrument had. During the Wilder Center restoration project we began to learn more about the organ as the team at A. David Moore Inc. went through their meticulous restoration process, and Ed Boadway of the Vermont Organ Project did some detective work about the history of the Organ.

We knew roughly when it had been built (1840s) and when it arrived in Wilder, Vt. (1901), but one major mystery remained: where had the Organ been before it came to Wilder? It was commonplace for organs to move from church to church as congregations expanded and could afford a grander instrument, and we were curious about the previous home(s) of the Wilder Center Organ. The discovery of Samuel Bates' signature during the restoration process lead us to believe it might have been located in Wellesley, Massachusetts where the Bates family lived, where Katharine Lee Bates wrote America the Beautiful, and where Charles T. Wilder lived before coming to the Upper Valley.

A recent trip to the beautiful Wellesley Free Library helped us fill in this missing chapter of the Organ's history, and shed some additional light on Mr. Charles T. Wilder's involvement with the Congregational Church.

The Wilder Center organ was previously located in the Meetinghouse of the Orthodox Congregational Church in Grantville. The villages of Grantville, West Needham, and Lower Falls were incorporated as the Town of Wellesley, Massachusetts on April 6, 1881. The Grantville Meetinghouse was built in 1847 along what is now Washington Street (Route 16) in Wellesley Hills, Mass. The Grantville Congregation would become known as the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church after 1881, and is a separate congregation from the Wellesley Congregational Church.

One of the founding members of the Grantville Congregation was Dexter Ware, a prominent citizen of Grantville in the 1840s and father of Mary E. Ware, who would become the wife of Charles T. Wilder in 1856. Both Mary Ware Wilder and Charles T. Wilder were active members of the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, even after Charles moved to what was then Olcott Falls, Vt. to build the Wilder Brothers Paper Mill. The Grantville Congregation was founded in 1846, the land for the building was purchased in 1847, and "A music committee was appointed in 1856, and soon-thereafter the church installed a pipe organ." This is the organ that now resides in the Wilder Center, as confirmed by the photo (at right) from "Gathered Together: 150 Years of Ministry at the Hills Church" by Susan S. Walton. As the photo illustrates, the instrument was located in the front corner of the Meetinghouse, which explains why the team at A. David Moore Inc. only found ornate painting on the front and left side of the casement: the right side was hidden from view and thus didn't need to be decorated!

In 1882 the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church and the Unitarian Society joined, and soon the expanding congregation would outgrow the building. In 1901 the Meetinghouse was torn down to make way for the construction of the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church that stands today, which would cost $45,000 to build. It was at this point that the 1840s George Stevens Pipe Organ was removed from the building and shipped to Wilder, Vermont, arriving in the Spring of 1901. This was after the 1897 death of Charles T. Wilder, but his legacy is seen clearly in the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church. We assume that it was his brother Herbert Wilder who orchestrated the transfer of the organ as he was responsible for executing his brother's will.

In the program for the March 1903 dedication of the new building, under "Memorials presented to the church" it reads: "In memory of Mrs. C.T. Wilder, by Mr. C.T. Wilder." Mr. Wilder also paid for the purchase and installation of a new organ. The newspaper coverage of the opening stated: "Church members were also proud of their new organ, a fine Hutchings and Votey two-manual pipe organ, the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilder." Mr. Wilder was a dedicated member of the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, the benefactor of the Olcott Falls (Wilder) Congregrational Church, and was particularly concerned with pipe organs. It is very appropriate that the building that now bears his name houses the fully restored 1840s George Stevens Pipe Organ that he had shipped up from Massachusetts at the turn of the 20th century.

But now there is another Organ mystery to solve! The Hutchings-Votey organ in the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church was removed in 1956 to make way for a three-manual Schantz organ that was installed in 1961. A Moller organ was used in the sanctuary during the interim. The Moller organ was then shipped to Center Harbor, NH so that according to records from that time: "all three "Hills Church Organs" remain in use as "instruments of praise."" The Moller organ likely went to the Center Harbor Congregational Church, but what became of the Hutchings-Votey organ?

Special Thanks: To the Reference Librarians at the Wellesley Hills Free Library, and these two excellent resources:

"Gathered Together: 150 Years of Ministry at the Hills Church" by Susan S. Walton. Published by the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church in 2000.
"Five Pounds Currency, Three Pounds of Corn. Wellesley's Centennial History" by Elizabeth M. Hinchliffe. Published by the Town of Wellesley in 1981.

Wilder Center Nominated for National Historic Preservation Award

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:23:53 -0400

Lyme Properties was humbled and honored to be nominated for a National Trust for Historic Preservation Award by the Preservation Trust for Vermont. The Wilder Center project was nominated for a National Honor Award, and David Clem was nominated for the Peter H. Brink Award for Personal Achievement.

The Preservation Trust of Vermont held their board meeting at the restored Charles T. Wilder Center on February 10th, and shortly thereafter they nominated the project for these prestigious awards. Lyme prepared application materials including before and after photos of the building, and we were touched by the letters of support we received for the project. We'd like to thank the following people for their support:

Paul Bruhn, Executive Director, Preservation Trust of Vermont
Leonard K. Cadwallader, Executive Director, Vital Communities
Giovanna Peebles, State Historic Preservation Officer and Director of the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation
Pat Stark, Volunteer Curator for the Hartford Historical Society and Member of the Hartford Historic Preservation Commission
Jim Tonkovich, Wilder Neighbor

Regardless of the outcome, it is an honor to be nominated and we are thrilled that the Wilder Center is being considered.

Welcome to the new WilderCenter.com

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:26:19 -0500

We are pleased to announce the launch of the full website for the Charles T. Wilder Center. Here you can find plenty of information About the Building, how you can Rent the Center for private events, and the wonderful History of the Building and the Village of Wilder. We also have a Calendar of Events that showcases the many different activities at the Wilder Center.

You can also Sign-Up for our Newsletter to receive periodic updates from Wilder Center, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Please take a look around and Contact Us with any questions, or to host an event at Wilder Center.

Sincerely,

The Lyme Properties Team

Thanks to the team at Bluehouse Group for the design and development of the website!

A Thank You To Everyone Who Worked On The Charles T. Wilder Center

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:48:06 -0500

Everyone at Lyme Properties would like to extend a special thank you to those who made the new Wilder Center a reality. Without the hard work of everyone involved we would never have been able to complete the project in such a short timeframe, and with such wonderful results.

Our Wilder Neighbors
A. David Moore Inc.
Collamer Abbott
Accessibility Systems, Inc.
Ace Blueprint
Alliance Mechanical
Ken Alton
Barden's Concrete, Inc.
Frank J. Barrett Jr.
Bath-Boule General Contractors, Inc.
Bluehouse Group
Ed Boadway
Bonardi Steel LLC
Jack Candon
John L. Carter Sprinkler Co., Inc.
Centurion Insurance Group
Sean Clauson
Kathy Clem
John Clerkin
Co-op Food Stores
Comcast, Andy Thornburn
Cramer Electric Company
Daddy’s Sound Solutions
Datamann
Dayco, Inc.
Dickinson & Son, Inc.
DMS Machining & Fabrication
Downeast Structural Consulting
Matt Doyle
DuBois & King, Inc.
East Coast Flooring, LLC
Jon Gilbert Fox
Brian Gardner Carpentry, LLC
Geotechnical Services
Gnomon Copy
Granite State Glass
Green Mountain Power
Hartford Historical Society
Hartford Planning Board
Hartford ZBA
Hayward Slate & Copper Roofing
Beth Hinchliffe of Wellesley, Mass.
Henniker Directional Drilling
HOME Partners, Inc.
Kamco Supply Corp. of Boston
King Arthur Flour Co.
James LaMontagne Landscape Co., Inc.
Donn Haven Lathrop
W.B. Mason
Peggy McDerment
M&W Soils Engineering, Inc.
Buff McLaughry
New England Kitchen Depot
Nott’s Excavating, Inc.
r. k. Miles, Inc.
Rice Tree Service
Rule Signs & Graphics
Sound Solutions
Springfield Fence Co., Inc.
Pat Stark
TF Moran Inc.
The Studio
The Town of Hartford
Trumbull-Nelson Construction Co., Inc.
UK Architects, P.C.
Upper Valley Drywall Systems, Inc.
Upper Valley Food Co-op
Valley News
Bill Wittik
Young's Propane

The Lyme Properties Team

John Billings
Chet Clem
David Clem
Angela McCanna
Michael Schwarz

Wilder Center Grand Opening a Huge Success!

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 13:48:09 -0400

A special thank you to those who attended the Wilder Center Grand Opening on Saturday, October 16th, 2010. Everyone at Lyme Properties has been thrilled with the progress of the building restoration, and we were overwhelmed by the support of the community.

Jon Gilbert Fox took some excellent photos of the day's events, check out the slideshow here:

Sean Clauson's documentary "Live Another Day" was an especially wonderful surprise for all of us. Sean was initially going to film a 10-15 minute video about the restoration of the building, but the resulting full-length documentary is simply a work of art. The film that was screened on the 16th wasn't the final version, Sean was filming throughout the day and is continuing to work on the finished product. Stay tuned!

Many thanks to everyone who worked on the Wilder Center restoration!

"The Bell Is Ringing Again" (Valley News, 10/15/10)

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:00:00 -0400

Please visit the Valley News website to read the full article about the Wilder Center restoration and upcoming Grand Opening: "The Bell Is Ringing Again: Empty Church Renovated to Become Charles P. Wilder Center"

Restarting the 1928 Seth Thomas Tower Clock

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:41:51 -0400

In late September 2010 the Wilder Center's tower clock was restarted for the first time in over a decade, returning the building's iconic purple-faced clock tower back to full functionality. But what you can't see from the outside is the intricate internal mechanism that drives the four clock faces, and rings the bell at the top of every hour.

The Wilder Center's clock was built in 1928 by the Seth Thomas Clock Company, and added to the Wilder Center steeple that same year. Visit our Seth Thomas Tower Clock page for more information and the full history of the clock.

In 2010 Lyme Properties hired Donn Haven Lathrop, a local clock specialist based in Lydonville, Vermont, to restore the clock mechanism to working order. The clock was covered in decades worth of accumulated dust and grease, but was in otherwise operable condition. Mr. Lathrop completed the restoration in the fall of 2010, and the clock once again tells the time for the village of Wilder.

In this video you can see the restarted clock in early October 2010 during the final preparations for the Wilder Center Grand Opening. In the background you can hear the nail gun of the carpet installers, and the pipe organ being tuned.

Seth Thomas Clock Restarted from Wilder Center on Vimeo.

Many thanks to Donn Haven Lathrop for his excellent work repairing the clock. To learn more about Mr. Lathrop and to see his extensive records of Seth Thomas clocks in America, visit his website at: http://homepages.sover.net/~donnl/amtc.html

Progress Update - October 2010

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:28:24 -0400

Lyme Properties is very pleased to announce that the renovation at 2087 Hartford Avenue is complete, and the building will be opening soon! Please join us on Saturday, October 16, 2010 to celebrate the opening of Wilder Center, the Upper Valley's premier events facility.

King Arthur Flour, the Co-op Food Stores, and the Upper Valley Food Co-op will be sponsoring instructional activities in the afternoon suitable for kids of all ages. There will be presentations about the history of the building, the renovation effort, and the restoration of the George Stevens pipe organ and Seth Thomas steeple clock.

In the evening, there will be a brief organ recital, a music performance, and the premier of a documentary film that chronicles the entire Wilder Center redevelopment story.

An insert in the October 14, 2010 edition of the Valley News will provide complete details and a schedule of events for the day. Questions? Email us: info@wildercenter.com