Project Outline:
To replace essential utility systems and carry out essential repairs and remodelling to the Museum & Archives of rockingham County's (MARC) 1907 courthouse museum building - enabling MARC to reopen to the public, expand our mission and ensure our longevity and sustainability for future generations.
Project Methodology:
The Project is split into two main stages:
Project Background:
Our 1907 historic couthouse building is an invaluable asset to the MARC and wider community - housing our exhibits, events and collections, providing the nucleus for several historical and STEM groups, and preserving, as part of MARC's historic complex, the cultural heart of the county. It has also been the site of county governance since 1787. Although, with an historic building comes historic challenges.
Some of these challenges MARC has been working to overcome since our opening in 2012, acheiving much in improving the efficiency of the building's energy usage through extensive lighting projects and modifying the HVAC system, with the invaluable assistance of Rockingham County's skilled maintenance team. Though it was always clear that longer-term solutions would have to be found, to ensure the building's and MARC's longevity for years to come. The effects of the pandemic restrictions, in 2020-2021 especially, exacerbated the stresses on the building's HVAC systems - as they were shut down to save on utility costs and parts of the system would not start up again or started failing at an accelerated rate - until it no longer functioned in large parts of the building.
To replace essential utility systems and carry out essential repairs and remodelling to the Museum & Archives of rockingham County's (MARC) 1907 courthouse museum building - enabling MARC to reopen to the public, expand our mission and ensure our longevity and sustainability for future generations.
Project Methodology:
The Project is split into two main stages:
- The first stage will replace the largely non-functioning heating and air system (HVAC) and carry out essential plumbing and roof repairs in our main, historic registered, 1907 courthouse museum building.
- The second stage will renovate the essential museum interiors, public facilities and remodel spaces to provide much-needed multidisciplinary areas to expand our educational/ community capacity and impact.
Project Background:
Our 1907 historic couthouse building is an invaluable asset to the MARC and wider community - housing our exhibits, events and collections, providing the nucleus for several historical and STEM groups, and preserving, as part of MARC's historic complex, the cultural heart of the county. It has also been the site of county governance since 1787. Although, with an historic building comes historic challenges.
Some of these challenges MARC has been working to overcome since our opening in 2012, acheiving much in improving the efficiency of the building's energy usage through extensive lighting projects and modifying the HVAC system, with the invaluable assistance of Rockingham County's skilled maintenance team. Though it was always clear that longer-term solutions would have to be found, to ensure the building's and MARC's longevity for years to come. The effects of the pandemic restrictions, in 2020-2021 especially, exacerbated the stresses on the building's HVAC systems - as they were shut down to save on utility costs and parts of the system would not start up again or started failing at an accelerated rate - until it no longer functioned in large parts of the building.
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Historic System:
MARC is still relies on a HVAC system, now largely non-operational, that was installed from the 1950s- 1970s and even earlier. Part of our heating system still used steam pipes! And our plumbing, consisting of original cast iron pipes are prone to leaks and are no longer safe to drink water from . All of which have contributed to a challenging museum environment. |
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The Project Start:
The awarding of a $25,000 HVAC matching grant by the Marion Steadman Covington Foundation kickstarted the project in 2018, with Rockingham County Commissioners matching the funds to professionally assess the full 40,000+ square foot courthouse building for the first time. |
Federal Funds:
MARC was one of only 13 recipients across the United States for the highly prestigious National Endowment for the Humanities HVAC matching grant - securing $162,500 in 2022 - the most of any awardee and an achievement recognised by the United States Senate (right). |
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County Support:
MARC has always recieved invaluable support from Rockingham County Commissioners and their maintenance team over the years. This was reaffirmed with their $25,000 Marion Steadman Covington Foundation grant match in 2020, and again with their $487,500 National Endowment for the Humanities grant match. |
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Historic Preservation Approval:
A key element of the project was the Section 106 review - assessing the historical impact of the project on the courthouse building - which we received approval by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office in 2022. |
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Environmental Testing:
Vital environmental testing of the courthouse building for lead and asbestos was carried out by S&ME of Greensboro and the asbestos abatement was completed by DARI of Greensboro |
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Capital Campaign Consultants:
We partnered with capital campaign sonsulting company, CapDev of Winston-Salem. With decades of experience and past Rockingham County success, CapDev will be assisting MARC with our capital campaign plan, recruitment for the capital team and further embedding financial sustainability within MARC's strategic goals. |
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MARC Finalizes Bid Documents:
In preparation for bidding out the project, with the help of Absolute Engineering, MARC finalizes the bid documents - including bid forms, supplemental materials, tabulation of bids, and the mechanical and electrical specification drawings. View the bid documents by clicking the button below:
In preparation for bidding out the project, with the help of Absolute Engineering, MARC finalizes the bid documents - including bid forms, supplemental materials, tabulation of bids, and the mechanical and electrical specification drawings. View the bid documents by clicking the button below:
H.M. Kern Contractors
After the bid process, we signed with contractors H.M. Kern of Greensboro to carry out the HVAC repair and replacement work, in accordance with the Build America Buy America Act (BABA).
After the bid process, we signed with contractors H.M. Kern of Greensboro to carry out the HVAC repair and replacement work, in accordance with the Build America Buy America Act (BABA).
Home Trust Bank Support
Our local Home Trust Bank in Reidsville, who have been long-time supporters of the MARC sponsoring several events each year, reaffirmed their support with approval of a significant line of credit and the opening of several capital accounts.
Our local Home Trust Bank in Reidsville, who have been long-time supporters of the MARC sponsoring several events each year, reaffirmed their support with approval of a significant line of credit and the opening of several capital accounts.
State Allocation
Thanks to the advocation of MARC Past President Jeff Bullins, President David French and Executive Director CJ Idol, MARC was awarded its full request for a North Carolina State Allocation. The $730,000 of State funds will be used towards the most immediate capital improvement needs such as HVAC, electrical updates, plumbing and roofing repairs.
Thanks to the advocation of MARC Past President Jeff Bullins, President David French and Executive Director CJ Idol, MARC was awarded its full request for a North Carolina State Allocation. The $730,000 of State funds will be used towards the most immediate capital improvement needs such as HVAC, electrical updates, plumbing and roofing repairs.
Project Timeline:
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June 2018 - MARC commissions a preliminary HVAC study of the 1907 courthouse by CenTech using operational funds
August 2018 - MARC awarded a $25,000 matching HVAC grant by Marion Steadman Covington Foundation (MSCF) March 2020 - Rockingham County Commissioners match $25,000 MSCF grant June - October 2020 - In-depth professional surveyor report and work plan of the 1907 courthouse, costing $42,000, paid for by the MSCF grant and matching funds March - May 2021 - MARC and Rockingham County Commissioners collaborate to 'red line' and cost save where possible on the surveyor's finalized report May - December 2021 - MARC applies, with assistance from LKC Engineering, and is awared $162,500 matching HVAC grant by the National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH) January 2022 - Rockingham County Commissioners match NEH grant at the required 3:1 ratio, pledging $487,500 to the project March 2022 - MARC officially accepts the NEH grant and starts working through Federal requirements June 2022 - MARC works with Absolute Engineering to prepare contacts and a project bid package July 2022 - MARC receives Section 106 approval from the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (NC SHPO) as part of the NEH Federal requirements September 2022 - MARC passes the Section 106 public comment period. January 2023 - S&ME of Greensboro carries out environmental testing of the courthouse for lead and asbestos. Asbestos abatement carried out by DARI of Greensboro February 2023 - MARC hires CapDev of Winston-Salem, capital campaign consultants to help plan for success. June 2023 - Absolute Engineering complete the bid package for HVAC contractors and start the bid proposal process. August 2023 - MARC enters into a contract with H.M. Kern of Greensboro to repair and replace our HVAC system. August 2023 - Home Trust Bank continue supporting MARC through a signiciant line of credit and opening of several capital accounts. November 2023 - MARC awarded a $730,000 North Carolina State Allocation towards capital improvements. Spring 2024 - MARC is working to complete the HVAC repairs and launch the public phase of the Capital Campaign. |
Capital Campaign:
MARC's Staff and Board of Directors are actively working to create a Capital Campaign Team - a steering committee made up from talented and dedicated community individuals and members of the MARC team - to drive our capital improvement fundraising needs and ambitions to success.
The Capital Campaign will draw from and feed into our core strategic documents:
MARC's Staff and Board of Directors are actively working to create a Capital Campaign Team - a steering committee made up from talented and dedicated community individuals and members of the MARC team - to drive our capital improvement fundraising needs and ambitions to success.
The Capital Campaign will draw from and feed into our core strategic documents:
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If you, or someone you know, would be interested in participating in this exciting chapter of MARC's and Rockingham County's story, please contact:
- CJ Idol (MARC Executive Director): executive-director@themarconline.org or
- David French (MARC Vice President & Project Director): djfrench45@gmail.com or
- Matthew Titchiner (MARC Associate Director & Project Grant Administrator): matthew@themarconline.org
"This project is far more than just the preservation of a building, its contents or even solely the museum. It is a clear commitment of Rockingham County investing in itself - its education, heritage and its own voice - to benefit current and future generations."- Matthew Titchiner, Associate Director
Thank You To Our Project Sponsors & Partners:
Marion Steadman Covington Foundation
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LKC Engineering
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NC State Historic Preservation Office
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National Endowment for the Humanities
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Rockignham County Commissioners
CapDev of Winston-Salem
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Absolute Engineering P.L.L.C. of Kernersville, NC 
NC State
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S&ME of Greensboro
H.M. Kern
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Dari of Greensboro
Home Trust Bank
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Rockingham County Historical Society Museum & Archives
1086 NC Hwy 65, Reidsville, NC 27320 P.O. Box 84, Wentworth, NC 27375 info@theMARConline.org 336-634-4949 |
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