Ideas

Things have slowed down a bit lately.  School is about to start back up and it is just too hot to do anything. The restoration project is still getting remarkable donations, but we don't, as of right now, have any fundraisers on the calendar.  My question to you is:  What fundraiser would you like to see us put on?  Any thoughts or ideas would be helpful.  Leave replies in the comments and remember that there are no bad ideas!

Fundraising Update!

I thought it was time for a fundraising update.  I spoke to Bill Cochrane earlier today.  He said that our total is 18,155!  This does not include some expenses from the gospel sing.  I think it is pretty good progress so far!

Vision

I was recently able to talk toClaud Williams, the pastor of Boxley Baptist Church.  He was able to give me his insights on the restoration project and his vision for the future of the community building:

Since the community building was a church, lodge and school at one time or


other, restoring the building reminds us of our rich history. The building

reminds us of the moral and cultural values of good, sharing, worship,

togetherness and other values that have made this area unique for many

years. The benefits of restoration of the building are many, some we don't

even conceive right now. It will be a place that the children and

grandchildren of our church and area in the future can come and enjoy

shelter, laughs, learning, music, worship and togetherness. It's important

to this community for it represents what has made this area great. In

addition, all around here and some outside our area can experience the

benefits of what we have already mentioned. It can be used for weddings,

concerts, reunions, church, education, anything that honors God. A building

in itself is nothing unless it honors God. That's the key...as long as the

building is used to honor God, present the glorious Gospel of Christ and

grow people spiritually, mentally and emotionally, the cost of restoration

and maintaining it is vital and necessary. My prayers are that we will

raise the needed funds soon and work will begin and that souls will be saved

as a result.

Inspiration

The Boxley Valley Community Building has served as an inspiration for many local artists over the years.  As promised, we are beginning a series of posts showing some of the artistry that has been inspired by this piece of history.

Our first image is courtesy of Isaac Szabo, a nature photographer.  You can check out his other works and contact him at http://www.isaacszabophotography.com/.  I highly recommend taking a look.

The Gospel Sing on the 19th went really well.  Over 700 dollars raised!  Pictures should be up soon as well as any information on upcoming events to benefit the Community Building.

Coming soon to this blog:  We will soon be starting a series of posts on local artists and their connection to Boxley Valley.  These posts will focus on the artistic importance of the community building and why it is a focal point of so much local artistry.  Also, there will be pretty pictures.  Look forward to these new posts (and perhaps some new artwork) later this week.

Also coming soon will be some reasons from local citizen on what purpose they see the community building filling in the future and why they feel it needs to be preserved.

Interesting stuff.  Stay tuned.

The First Step

The first phase of this project is to correct the damage and replace the rotting wood along the back exterior wall of the building.  These pictures show the extent of this damage.  In some places you can even see light through the cracks in the wall. There is one dent in this back wall, however, that I'm not sure we should replace. 

During a talk with community member Bill Clark last week, I found out about an interesting incedent that led to a dent in this back wall.  Apparently, at some point in its history, the building was involved in a collision with a horse team.  The dent that this caused precedes the structural and weather damage to the building and is an interesting anecdote in the buildings storied past. 

Here are some pictures (see if you can spot the dent in the back wall).

Don't forget to come to the Gospel Sing this Saturday!

Upcoming Event!

Old Time Gospel Sing at the Community Building!




Saturday June 19


Cookout 5:30


Performances at 7:00


All are welcome to sing!


Donations accepted. Proceeds to benefit Boxley Valley Community Building Restoration Project


For more info contact:


Regena Cochrane (870)861-5835

A little bit of history

The Boxley Valley Community Building was first documented as the center of the Van Buren Township of Boxley in 1877, but served as the center of the community for quite some time before.  It was originally known as the Walnut Grove Church, as a school, and as a community center.  Many of the residents of the Boxley Valley have, at one time, attended the school and church that this building once held.

"The main objective of the restoration is to preserve the rich history the Building represents, an actual LIVING history as so many in the community can attest. It is arguably the most photographed and picturesque historic rural structure in all of Arkansas, and most Arkansans have seen it's image even if not familiar with the locale. To date, living in this community are four generations who have spent time within her four walls...and our main objective it to preserve her story and her history. She truly is the anchor in the valley."  -Marsha Hill, restoration committee member.

To date we have raised 16,226 dollars out of the estimated 70,000 needed.   Only 53,774 to go!