It's taken more than four years, but Kirkland's new Heritage Hall is ready for its close-up. The stately white building, which has sat for the last four years at the southern tip of Waverly Park, will have its official dedication on September 13.
Heritage Hall, the upstairs of which can accommodate 60 people, will then be available for community meetings and events. The building's lower level will become the Heritage Resource Center, the official location of the Kirkland Heritage Society. Records, photographs, oral history tapes and educational materials will be located at the resource center, which will be made available to the public by appointment.
The building was originally a Christian Science church. Built in 1922, and officially consecrated by the church in 1928 once its debts were paid off, the building had been used as offices for an architecture firm since 1968. By 1998, the building's owners, Don and Sherry Stabbert of West Water Real Estate Services, wanted to build apartments on the property.
The building, likely the oldest Christian Science church on the Eastside, and the oldest church building in Kirkland, was in danger of demolition. The Stabberts offered the building to the city, which at first considered it for possible use as the Kirkland Teen Center. When the building did not meet the teen center's program requirements, the Kirkland Heritage Society stepped in.
For Bob Burke, a former KHS president and a driving force behind Heritage Hall, the opening is the culmination of countless hours of work.
"It's wonderful for the city and for us," he said. "The Kirkland Heritage Society wanted a historic building and one close to downtown. I can't think of a more perfect building and location."
In February 1998, following news that the Stabberts were willing to donate the building, the Kirkland City Council authorized moving the building to the south end Waverly Park. By April 1999, the building was moved to the park and placed on blocks (foundation work was done in 2000.)
The process was not without its obstacles. Two lawsuits were filed, one questioning whether the city had the authority to locate the building on park property, the other challenging whether future use by the Heritage Society was a legitimate park use. The courts ruled against both suits.
Once the building was moved, the real work began. Extensive renovation was required, including seismic upgrades, new bathrooms and completely refinishing the original hardwood floors.
Money - more than $500,000 - came from the city. Additional funds were obtained by various grants, by selling the concrete pavers found on the path leading to the front entrance and by individual donations. In all, the project has cost roughly $630,000. Burke points to the importance of individual donors. One woman, who Burke referred to as "an angel" and who wishes to remain anonymous, has contributed more than $12,000. After reading about the project, she donated $5,000 in order to "keep the work going."
KHS still needs roughly $30,000 to make the lower level ready for occupancy. The money will likely come from a combination of grants and the sale of the pavers, Burke said he's optimistic that the resource center can be ready in early 2004. He certainly hopes so - for years much of the KHS collection has been stored at his house..
For a small nonprofit organization, taking on Heritage Hall was a huge challenge. Burke acknowledges that it would have been nice to complete the project sooner. But there were steps in the process. Perseverance and a lot of work was the key.
"I've been very pleased with the local response," Burke said. "It's been very rewarding that so many people have wanted to get involved. It's been a great partnership with the city, KHS and so many volunteers. When the community sees the finished project I hope they'll realize what a good thing it was to save the building."
In keeping with KHS' historical mission, a time capsule will be placed in the building's foundation during the dedication. Containing information about the building, the surrounding neighborhoods, early church programs, among other items, its intended to be opened in 25 years. The building, Burke said, should be around for at least another 100 years.
The Heritage Hall dedication takes place on September 13, at 1 p.m., at Heritage Hall in Waverly Park near the intersection of Central Way and Market Street. For more information on the Kirkland Heritage Society, call 828-4095 or go to www.kirklandheritage.org. For Heritage Hall rental information, call 803-2845.
