SKANEATELES - After documenting the town's history for years, the Skaneateles Historical Society soon will begin an expansion to its homebase, The Creamery, making its own mark on local history.

Last year, the society kicked off its public fundraising campaign to raise money to construct a boat and transportation museum at the property next door to the 28 Hannum St. building after acquiring the structure last summer.

Now renovations have started on what was once an old boiler plant at 24 Hannum St. The SHS bought the property, formerly a residence, for a reduced price from retired Skaneateles resident Ron Fisher, and plans to convert the building into a multi-purpose facility, along with constructing a wing that will connect the two.

“We hope to have everything enclosed by the end of this construction season,” said Bent Thomsen, a member of SHS, eight-person Steering Committee overseeing the project.

“At that point there will be a lot of interior work yet to be done. Whether we'll progress right into that interior work depends on how our fundraising efforts go,” he added.

Though the original projected cost of the expansion was $530,000, Thomsen said that unforeseen expenses have raised the cost to $700,000.

The project, which was designed by Skaneateles architect Robert Eggleston, will utilize David Secor of Secor Building Solutions as construction manager.

Detailed plans of the project listed on the society's Web site, skaneateleshistoricalsociety.org, begin with gutting the building and restoring it to near its original exterior appearance, then replacing the original skylights.

In addition, designs call for replacing the south garage addition with a smaller woodframe addition, and building a mezzanine overlooking the first-floor boat display.

For the connecting wing, builders will construct double doors that lead to an open two-story display lobby that will include an adjoining gift shop.

The existing Creamery building will receive an additional room at its northeast corner to house a climate-controlled storage area.

The SHS site also lists naming opportunities for major donors. A donation of $100,000, for example, gives the donor naming rights to the museum's main exhibit hall, while people who contribute $500 will have building blocks named in their honor.

“This project will enhance the community,” museum director Laurie Winship said. “It will revitalize an important village block that joins the main street along Skaneateles Lake with the commercial area along Fennell Street.”

How to help

Donations can be sent to:

Skaneateles Historical Society Museum Expansion28 Hannum St.

Skaneateles, NY 13152

For more information, call 685-1360, or visit www.skaneateleshistoricalsociety.org