History of Cranberry House

Summary

The Cranberry House project was conceived in late 2003, presented in a 2004 prospectus, and finally completed in 2008, after a long intensive private fund raising effort, which raised almost $600,000 with help from the MBNA Foundation, the New Century Community Program, the Island Institute, and generous donations from local donors and GCIHS members. The booklet Cranberry House Contruction Contributions 2004-2008 is available at the museum store with a complete list of donations from individuals, foundations, and fundraising events.

Progress

From the beginning we wanted to reuse an old historic structure rather than building new. The old Mountain View Inn was available, and in sound condition. It would be moved, refurbished, and renamed "Cranberry House."

Construction

In 2004 a full basement was poured and the building was moved onto it.

In 2005 the exterior was rebuilt with new windows, doors, and siding.

In 2006 the deck, porch, and well were added.

In 2007 the fire escape, fire sprinkler, septic, and basement heater were added, with much interior work.

In 2008 the handicap lift and museum heater were installed, and all finishing touches.

Cranberry House was completed in the spring of 2008. It is the only building on Great Cranberry with a fire sprinkler system and handicap lift.

Hitty's Café was opened 4 June 2008, after a pre-opening "Sweet Sale."
The Preble-Marr Historical Museum opened 15 June 2008.
The first event at the Cultural Center - Movie Night - was on 16 June 2008.
The official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on 4 July 2008.

A new outdoor sign was hung 2 August 2009, with the Cultural Center more conveniently named the Arts Center.

Plans and Working Documents

Electric Plan
obsolete working notes

Design

Cranberry House consists of a 2-story building with a walk-in basement. The ground floor contains the Historical Museum and a kitchen for a take-out café with seating on the front deck. The second floor holds the Cultural Center -- a large multipurpose room -- plus a restroom. The Media Room (computer lab), utility room, and archival storage are in the walk-in basement.

Cranberry House sits on a 2-acre lot adjacent to the Parsonage. The driveway entrance is directly off the main road, at the top of Schoolhouse Hill, with good views of the road in both directions. The driveway goes past Cranberry House to a parking lot behind.

Walk-in and wheelchair visitors can mount an earthen ramp from the driveway to the front deck (and thence enter the Museum) -- or they can continue down the driveway to the parking lot, and onto a sloped path to the walk-in basement at the rear of the building. All path slopes are 1-in-20, to allow safe wheelchair passage. A lift is installed between the first and second floors, to allow access to the Cultural Center and restroom.

click to enlarge