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The extensive renovation of the 1907 historic Cleveland County courthouse is progressing as planned. Destination Cleveland County, Inc. (DCC), a 501C (3) non-profit led by a volunteer board, has a lease on the interior of the building for the purpose of the Earl Scruggs Center: Music & Stories from the American South. DCC, with the assistance of a grant from the Economic Development Agency, a division of the US Department of Commerce, and the cooperation of Cleveland County, the building owners, received approval to proceed with renovations in April 2011.
The extensive renovation includes: new plumbing, new electrical, new HVAC, new elevator, shoring up interior walls/creating new ones, new limestone flooring, new wiring for state-of-the-art internet capabilities, creating a catering kitchen and complete renovation of the historic well house.
Roger Holland of Holland Hamrick Architects who has overseen the project, stated, “It’s a privilege for me to be involved in the renovation of this beautiful building which I have loved since childhood. We have proceeded with thoughtful consideration for taking a historic building and repurposing it for present and future citizens to love and enjoy.” Talmadge Strickland, site foreman for T.C. Strickland Company, added, “Throughout construction we have been very methodical to maintain the integrity and history of the original structure; for instance, we re-purposed an inoperable chimney as a chase for all
conduit from the basement to the first, second and third floors. It has been interesting to compare our new construction processes and mediums to those original to the building from more than a century ago. As an example, there are variances in wall thickness from floor-to-floor and while working in the attic we had an up-close view of the skilled craftsmanship of the roof framing in the 100+ year old domes. I am humbled by the history of our old courthouse and proud to be a part in furthering its presence in Cleveland County.”
DCC will receive custody of the building in early spring and will begin the process of creating the Earl Scruggs Center. J.T. Scruggs, chairman, stated, “We are eager to open the Center as soon as we can. We want to be good stewards and proceed with installation and creation of a Center that we can all be proud of. We want to get it right.”
The fabrication and installation of the exhibits will be carried out by D & P, a premier museum fabrication/installation company. Cortina Productions is assisting with AV components. DCC is working through its committees on the organizational structure, the staff, the temporary exhibits, and the educational programs of the future center. Anyone interested in participating in this phase of the work or in giving to the project is welcome to call the DCC office, 704.487.6233 for more information.
Submitted by Emily Epley
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