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Preserving the past in Clinton's Cobblestone House

Photo

Photo by Dennis Hines

The Cobblestone House on Milwaukee Road in Clinton was constructed in 1843 and was once a part of an 80-acre farm. Members of the Clinton Historical Society are raising money to replace the roof of the historical home.

An Old Fashioned Christmas fundraiser is planned for Fri., Dec. 7, to help fund a new roof on The Cobblestone House in Clinton. Dennis Hines photo.

CLINTON--Members of the Clinton Historical Society are looking to raze the roof of one of Rock County’s most historically significant homes.

The society will host An Old Fashioned Christmas fundraiser from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, in downtown Clinton at a storefront located next to Kim’s Lettering. The event will be a part of the annual Winter Wonderland Festival and will feature a silent auction, cookies and wassail.

The purpose of An Old Fashioned Christmas is to help the historical society raise money to replace the roof of the Cobblestone House on Milwaukee Road. Local businesses and residents have donated items for the auction.

‘We’re really looking for community support, because this whole project is for the community and the schools to preserve history,” said Joyce Splan, member of the Clinton Historical Society. “We’re just not the Clinton Historical Society. We support the outlining townships of Bradford, Clinton, LaPrairie and Turtle, and we’re also the home of the Turtle Grange.”

Ron Nortier, president of the Clinton Historical Society, said the roof needs to be replaced because it is in deteriorating condition.

“The best we can figure is the roof was last replaced 35 to 40 years ago,” Nortier said. “We do have a hole (in the roof), and we have skylights in the back, which really don’t blend well with an 1843 building. We want to get those out.”

Nortier said the project is expected to cost between $20,000 and $30,000. He said, if enough money is raised, the historical society plans to start the project next spring. The historical society has hosted other fundraisers for the project, including a chili supper, antique appraisal, rummage sale, archiving seminar and a presentation of “Our Town.” Nortier said about $2,000 has been raised so far.

If you go

An Old Fashioned Christmas

-- When: Friday, Dec. 7, from 2 to 7 p.m.

-- Where: Next to Kim’s Lettering, downtown Clinton

-- Why: To raise money for repairs to the historical Cobblestone House

Read the complete story in the Nov. 25 print or e-edition of the Stateline News.