New Roof on the Conestoga Wagon Shed

The Conestoga Wagon shed, located next to the Farmer’s Union Hall, was built by longtime WHS member and professional builder, Dick Shaefer, in 1987 as a special building to house our Conestoga wagon which was part of the bicentennial celebration.  The wagon was one of many which made its way to Valley Forge, arriving around July 4, 1976.

Thirty-five years later the shake roof was beginning to leak and would eventually cause damage to the canvas top on the covered wagon.  On July 18, a new steel roof was attached to replace the old shake roof.  This was made possible by Wehrung’s, a building supply company located on Ridge Pike, as well as Worcester carpenters who volunteered to put on the new roof.  We want to thank Sara Ross, Division Manager of Wehrung’s, a corporate sponsor of WHS, for organizing the donation and delivery of all the building materials required for the job.  You will see her in the attached picture with Jim Thompson, President of WHS.  The Worcester carpenters are pictured in front of the finished roof: left to right is Kevin Gregory, owner of Ice Concepts and husband of WHS board member, Lisa Gregory, Colin Wurtz and Brad Smith of Brad Smith Woodworking, and Mike Kavanaugh of Bechtel Kitchens who is a WHS board member and is the grandson of the original builder, Dick Shaefer.

The Board and Membership of the Society are grateful for the cooperation of these parties for preserving Worcester History.  Come visit us any Saturday Morning from 9-12 until the end of September.  If you like what you see and are not a member, please consider joining us.  Without our membership and donations, we would not be able to fulfill our mission of preserving Worcester’s heritage.