Community Rallies for Girl Scout House

October 23, 2013

Community Rallies for Girl Scout House

In the late 1920s the generous and skilled people in Hingham built a home for the Girl Scouts. Today, the Hingham Girls Scout House still stands at its original location of 26 Burr Road next to Town Hall.

For 83 years many generations and thousands of Scouts gathered in front of the large fireplace and planned their community activities. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and other community organizations continue to use the Girl Scout House, which hosts approximately 40 meetings a month.

Over the past 30 years, financial support for upkeep was provided by the regional Girl Scout council. This support recently came to an end. On October 1, 2013 the trusted care has returned to the Hingham community. Unfortunately, it has been returned in deplorable condition. The roof leaks so badly that a blue tarp has been added as a stop gap. The heating system is oldand the house is not handicapped accessible.

Today, people of the community are coming together to help save this building for future generations. "We are fortunate to be in a town where people care deeply about their children, giving back to the community, and preserving history", says Girl ScoutHouse President Peg Doyle. "This property is a historic and cultural asset of the Hingham and has been the center of an active community-based organization. Today we have 400 Girl Scouts members who rely on this property for meetings, training, award ceremonies, service projects, and more.”

Long-term supporters of the Girl Scout House include theHingham Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. Recently, two Eagle projects managed by Cameron Porter and Alec Porter, resulted in a new stage curtain, refinished main hall floor, and a vapor barrier protecting he wood floor. Cub Scouts help with yard work each season and have maintained the flag pole.

Local businesses are also reaching out to help. Electrician John Stoddard has provided up-to-date CO2 and smoke detectors, Odds 'N Ends Construction put together a plan for repairs to preserve the house. Strekalovsky Architectural created plans for handicap access.

Specialized Rigging & Tree Care, the Hingham based tree service company appearing in the NatGeo TV series, got involved this fall as well. They removed many overgrown branches to prevent further damage to the roof and siding. What makes their volunteer hours even more meaningful is that one of their crew, Ted King, completed his Boy Scout Eagle project by building a staircase for the Girl Scout House. Ted's Eagle Award ceremony, like many others, was held at the house.

While these volunteer services greatly improved the Girl Scout House property, funds are also needed to properly preserve the house. According to Peg Doyle, there are four initiatives in process. (1) The house is now available for rental to the community, helping to offset the cost of utilities. (2) An application for Community Preservation Act funds has been submitted for preservation and ADA compliance. (3) A capital campaign fund will begin this season. (4) Girl Scout troops and families are planning fundraising activities.

Geri Duff, current House Treasurer, talks about the community support. "It will take us a few years to build a capital fund that will make this building self-sustaining. That's our goal. But there's even more benefit here. Having individuals and organizations all come together shows our scouts the true value of giving back." 

The Girl Scout House Board of Directors follows suit. The Directors volunteer their time to help save this historic asset. "We can never have enough volunteers" says Doyle. “We need help with fundraisers and property management, as well as the business end of accounting, finance, and taxes. Anyone interested in helping to preserve the house can reach out by contacting me at 781-875-1107 between 9am and 7pm."

PHOTOS

Mark Coughlin and Vcevy Strekalovsky display plans for ADA compliance of the Hingham Girl Scout House.

Ted King of Specialized Rigging & Tree Care removes overgrown branches.

Chris Johnson, Denis Johnson, and Kevin Porter assist Alec Porter on his Eagle Award project to refinish the main hall floors of the Girl Scout House.

Hingham Girl Scout House hosts 40 meetings a month.