The interior of the Woodchuck Lodge museum was temporarily closed at the recommendation of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation last November, and its board of trustees is committed to reopening the museum as quickly as possible.
Enter the Preservation League of New York State and the O’Connor Foundation to begin the rescue. Woodchuck Lodge, an 1861 farmhouse made famous by Roxbury native and literary naturalist John Burroughs, and a Registered National Historic Landmark located in Roxbury in Delaware County, has been awarded a total of $9,000 toward launching the preservation and reconstruction needs of the museum. But this is only what the board sees as the beginning of a longer term preservation project.
The Preservation League of New York and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts announce the John Burroughs Woodchuck Lodge is a recipient of a 2023 $4,000 Technical Assistance Grant.
The O’Connor Foundation in Delhi has been recognized as a consistent champion of Delaware County programs and activities and has provided an additional grant of $5,000 to provide financial support for preparing a Building Condition Report for Woodchuck Lodge.
The scope of work for this project includes architectural visitation, review of the Woodchuck Lodge museum’s priority needs, and preparation of a report that will form the basis for seeking larger grants to implement a thorough repair and reconstruction program for the museum.
During the restoration work, interior tours of the historic 1861 farmhouse have been suspended for the summer months of 2024, but John Burroughs’ Woodchuck Lodge will continue its popular “Wild Saturdays” programs. The first program scheduled for May 2024 will feature author Edward Renehan, with the season concluding in October. This series of inspiring programs has been underwritten by the Catskill Watershed Corporation and presents nature-focused presentations by knowledgeable experts.
The trails and grounds will continue to welcome visitors, including hikers, bird watchers, picnickers, and others, to enjoy the same surroundings John Burroughs was born into and to delight in its spectacular views of the Catskill Mountains.
