The Norwalk Historical Commission received progress reports on the Lockwood Matthews Mansion and the Norwalk Historical Society museum, including current construction punch-list work, new security-camera installations and a proposed basement renovation to create gallery and event space.

The commission was told the mansion’s exterior repairs and recent events have gone well and that the museum has added security cameras. During the museum update staff reported a newly identified structural problem in the conservatory that will require temporary shoring and likely a more significant rebuild. The commission heard that the grant period for a state-funded project ends in December and staff expect to request an extension to complete final reports.

Why it matters: The Lockwood Matthews Mansion and the museum are city-owned historic sites used for public programming. The planned basement renovation would create accessible gallery and lecture space, increasing the museum’s capacity for exhibits and events and consolidating programming on-site.

David Westmoreland briefed commissioners on construction and facilities items. He said the renovation punch list is nearly complete and described remaining work and the process for aggregating remaining funds for “day two” projects such as a basement railing and other finishing items. “We’re getting close to the finish line,” Westmoreland said, noting that some final bills are still outstanding and that the grant paperwork requires all subcontractor accounts to be closed before the final report can be submitted.

On the conservatory, Westmoreland said the structure’s main supports are compromised due to long-term water intrusion and rot. “We replaced the supports about 15 years ago and water has leaked in behind the supports very slowly and caused a lot of rot,” he said. He advised the commission that temporary shoring will be required and that the conservatory may need a full rebuild; staff expect to report options at the next meeting.

Norwalk Historical Society representative Diane Jelerat summarized the society’s program schedule and operations: a recent documentary screening drew a good crowd; a Zoom lecture on regional “vampire lore” was planned for the weekend; and the society is participating in America250 Connecticut programming for the Revolutionary War 250th anniversary. She also thanked commission members for assistance and noted new museum security cameras have been installed and that the museum’s 10th anniversary as the Norwalk Historical Society Museum will be celebrated in December.

On facilities and funding, commissioners reviewed capital-account timing and balances: Dave Westmoreland explained that some large balances appear because projects are staged and will be spent as construction bids proceed (for example, $466,000 earmarked for interior restoration of the Smith Street jail and a $300,000 sum for ADA/access and master-plan work at the museum). He said the museum elevator and ADA work represent earlier phases; the proposed basement renovation would be a subsequent phase.

Museum renovation plan and budget: Westmoreland presented an architect’s scope and fee proposal for design, bidding and construction administration for the basement renovation; the architectural fee package cited by staff totaled roughly $70,000 for architectural and engineering services. The draft design shows reconfiguring basement storage spaces into two program rooms—a larger lecture/gallery room with a pull-down screen and an antecedent gallery/event space—plus improved exterior access and circulation. Westmoreland said the project will be bid in multiple packages (exterior work, interior demo, rebuild) and staff hope to begin construction in spring depending on final bids and available funds.

Ending: Staff said they will return with refined cost estimates and bid documents; the commission requested front-loaded information on bids and expenditures so members can see where funds are being spent during final closeout.