Peabody Leather Workers Museum gets huge influx of construction funds

PEABODY-Construction on the Peabody Leather Workers Museum received a huge kick-start Thursday with the approval of a transfer of funds.Bill Power of the Community Preservation Committee came before City Council requesting an additional $157,000 from Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to cover the unexpected rise in construction materials and labor costs. The total projected cost is up to approximately $483,000.?We had to hire contractors (with) certain skills,” Power told the Council. “We wanted people familiar with historic buildings.”After reviewing the few bids received, Power elected to work with Trombley Construction. He said the numbers generated for the project were almost four years old, and naturally, the price of business has increased since then. However, he doesn?t see construction rising much more, as he plans to get it underway as soon as possible.?I made some calls this morning,” he said Friday. “(Trombley) has been treading water until we picked up the funding, but now the funding is there, so we?re ready to go.”City Councilor Ted Bettencourt, Jr. spoke out in support of the request.?The opportunity to preserve a piece of history is important for any city,” he said.The new museum will be located behind the George Peabody House Museum on Washington Street. It was offered nearly 1,600 square feet of museum space with an addition 1,600 square feet of storage in the basement. The outside will replicate that of the original barn that once stood on the lot and feature the same yellow paint as its neighbor.Hardwood floors will pave the way for visitors from a media center at the entrance, where a 20-minute video on the Leather Industry will introduce the museum, to the site of two large pieces of donated machinery and several interactive displays.?We hope to teach what life was like for leatherworkers,” said Power.The museum has been collecting artifacts over the years, including an original whistle used downtown to signal leatherworkers that it was time to get to work.?We live by the clock today; they lived by the whistle,” he said.Power joked about putting the old whistle to use for entertainment sake.?People would rise out of the graves to get to work, that?s how loud it is,” he quipped.Young visitors will have to punch in using an old time clock similar to those used by factory workers years ago.?I think it?ll mean something to kids,” Power said.Power is awaiting a timeline from Trombley, but anticipates a May or early June completion.?It?s going to be beautiful,” he said.