Cudahy Historical Society depot building gets $30K for roof; local artist crafts new logo
“It’s really where Cudahy started,” said Cudahy Historical Society President Don Schwartz of the depot building.
The building, constructed in 1892, needs work. On March 5, Cudahy’s common council approved $30,000 of ARPA funds to go toward replacing the roof on the building which has been leaking.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury said the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides “fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families, small businesses, and industries.”
Schwartz said the roof was last replaced in 1988 and was “in dire need” of replacement again. He called the ARPA funds “a big boost” to fundraising efforts with an estimated total cost of the work between $40,000 and $50,000.
The historical society has gotten several bids and it’s expected a roofing contractor will be selected at the April 9 historical society board meeting, Schwartz said. The work should be completed by the end of the second quarter of the year, he added, along with some landscaping.
Much of what’s beneath the roof also needs work.
“We’re looking to start at the top and work our way down in terms of funding for projects, and the roof comes first,” Schwartz said.
Patrick Cudahy worked with the railroads to have the depot built and it operated until 1957, Schwartz said. It sat idle for about 15 years and was almost torn down, but the historical society organized and saved it in 1972.
“Ever since then we’ve been doing piecemeal work,” Schwartz said.
The depot just had $2,000 of plumbing work done at the end of February by Gene Wagner Plumbing Co. of West Allis. Schwartz quipped that now visitors don’t have to wait 15 minutes to flush a toilet anymore and they now have “a strong flow of water, hot and cold.”
The plumber did identify another issue at the 130-plus year-old building ― the beams under the building are starting to rot and will need to be addressed soon.
What other projects are needed or wanted?
Vice President of the Cudahy Historical Society Cheryl Orlando shared some other pressing projects that require various levels of repair or replacement, including:
The dormers with original stained glass windows
The gutters
The chimney (tuck pointing)
Exterior siding
Wood trim around the windows
The boardwalk on two sides of the depot
Repairing/repaving of the parking lot
Some other wish list items Orlando mentioned include the installation of an entry ramp for those with disabilities, repair of the outdoor water sprinkler system, fixing the electric lights in the park and lighting the sign, updating or redesigning the map of the personalized bricks in the park, a new floor in the bathroom, electricity in the crawl space for heating the underground pipes, a new sink and cabinet to mimic the style of 1892, door repairs, lock repairs, replacing the furnace and water heater and adding internet access.
“As for the cost of each item, we have not investigated all of these items at this point,” Orlando said. “We are tackling one project at a time.”
She encourages any contractors to take a look at the depot to see what they could do. Because the building's historic, there are some special requirements.
“All renovations must be done in the style of the 1892 depot to meet the expectations of the State and Federal Historical Registries, both of which we are on,” Orlando said. “Modern products can be used, but must mimic the original materials or look of the depot.”
What project(s) will be next?
Orlando said after the roof, the gutters and new dormers are a high priority.
Additionally, the depot has some unwanted guests. Both raccoons and mice have found their way into holes in the walls of the museum portion of the building.
“That’s the next project we’re going to tackle,” Schwartz said.
He estimated it’ll cost about $8,500 to take care of that issue but luckily the depot already has a commitment from a donor to cover half of that cost. The rest is up to fundraising efforts.
How can you help?
Schwartz said people can donate on the Cudahy Historical Society website, www.cudahyhistoricalsociety.org. The fundraiser on the bottom of the homepage shows four donors have raised $1,300 for the roof effort.
Renovation leads to rebranding
The attention to renovation is being accompanied by a rebranding effort spearheaded by a local artist.
Artist Lauren Marvell got involved with the Cudahy Historical Society in late 2023. She first created a wooden ornament with an etched image of the depot for Christmas.
“They were a popular purchase at our Christmas fundraiser,” Orlando said. “Following the success of the ornament Lauren designed, we asked her to develop a logo for the Cudahy Historical Society which she was happy to do.”
Marvell said she wanted to volunteer, but being a busy person she didn’t have time to attend meetings.
“But I did offer some artistic contribution,” she said, adding that with the renovation work it was the perfect time for a “refreshing on the branding" with a new logo in Marvell's signature style.
Marvell said her art is typically “loopy and colorful and goofy,” but she wanted to create something with a sense of sophistication and a nod to history. She highlighted the history of the depot by incorporating its construction date and the date the historical society was established.
“(It’s) an acknowledgement of the past and the potential of what the depot might look like moving forward,” she said.
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Renovations and rebranding coming to Cudahy Historical Society
