(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Hitchcock House near Lewis, Tuesday, spoke with the Cass County Board of Supervisors about structural issues with the historical building that need to be addressed as soon as possible, and the possible need for funding to make the repairs happen. Hitchcock House Board Chair Sharon Guffey-Lewis said the issue is with the south basement wall of the historic landmark.

Guffey-Lewis said a representative with the National Park Service in Omaha, came to inspect the building last Fall. He returned in the Winter.

Because of the amount of deterioration of the basement wall requires the Hitchcock House to stop offering tours of the building, effective July 23^rd. Because the structure is a National Historic Landmark, any repairs must be approved by the National Parks Service. The Hitchcock Board received from the Parks representative a list of five approved restoration contractors. One is in Chicago.

She said they never even received a cost estimate from that company. The Advisory Board therefore decided the company would not be acceptable, for that and other reasons. The second restoration company was also out of Illinois. The company flew out a crew to personally inspect the situation.

Hitchcock House. (photo from Hitchcock House Facebook page.)

Their bid was $317,300, due to the travel and equipment costs. The third restoration company is in Crescent, with experience in restoration work in Omaha’s Old Market area and buildings the age of the Hitchcock House. The company has been in business for 46-years. Their cost estimate was $72,000, with a down payment of $22,000 required.

The company owner has said he wants to get started on the project as soon as possible, preferably by August 1^st.

Guffey-Lewis said the Hitchcock Board has applied for a Network to Freedom Grant in the amount of $150,000. They should know by August 1^st if their grant request was approved. In the meantime, she said they are searching for other sources of grant funding, as well. The Board of Supervisors took no action on any funding,Tuesday. Instead, they chose to get an update on what funds the Hitchcock Board is able to acquire before the Supervisors offer to commit toward the project.