Merchants helping to raise the roof on historic township house

LAFAYETTE-Cabin Fever Weekend this year will be more than just an escape from the winter's doldrums. It has a higher goal: "Raising the roof" at the Mabee House at Running Brook Farm on Route 15, or at least raising some of the money to fund the restoration. The building had been used as the township's municipal offices, but the recently re-formed Lafayette Preservation Foundation is making strides to develop the building as a museum of "American rural life of bygone days." To that end, the merchants of the Shops of Historic Lafayette Crossing have joined together with the foundation to promote the restoration. During the weekend of February 19-20, a donation of $10 will buy a certificate and a slate pin. Wearing the pin allows one to shop at all the antique shops in the district at a discount. The pins are available at the Lafayette Mill and the Lafayette Emporium. The symbolism of the slate pin reflects the foundation's aim to replace the present roof with a slate roof. As slate is a common resource in the area, it is believed that it would have been used to roof the structure during the 1870s. At the recommendation of the historical architect, the aluminum siding has been removed revealing the original wooden structure beneath. "Unfortunately," said Foundation President Joan Smith, "we have found lots of holes in the soffit, the area where the sides of the house meet the roof." She added, "Repairs also must be done to beams, but we hope to put on a slate roof because Lafayette was noted for its slate quarries. It will be costly, and we may have to put on a typical roof if not enough funds are raised." The Mabee House will be open to the public during Cabin Fever Weekend, and "donations are tax deductible" Smith said. The first floor of the restored building will house the museum and community meeting rooms. They are being used now for preservation foundation meetings and other groups such as the Scrabble and art clubs. Smith said that the Cabin Fever fund raiser is the first of many. The next scheduled event, "Lafayette and Lasagna," is March 18 at the Mabee House, featuring dinner, music, and a speaker, local historian Alex Everett.