By Tammy Kilby

For the Times

DARLINGTON — The last remaining building of the Big White Fair is getting more restoration work done as summer progresses. Barb Nemec, Museum Manager of the Lafayette County Historical Society, is keeping busy with putting the finishing touches on the 150+ year old structure.

“The Octagon building is almost complete,” Nemec said. “All we need to do is replace the roof and we’re all done.”

Working completely off financial donations and countless volunteer hours, the Octagon building has stood the test of time, through relocation, and several floods over the years. Most recently, Bruce Geissbuhler of Geissbuhler Building and Design of Darlington, along with his crew, replaced the window structures as Nemec herself and a small crew painted the recent construction.

“The shape of the windows reflects the original photos of the structure during its hay-day at the Big White Fair,” Nemec said. “I was assisted by James Bennett and Dale Wiegel with painting the new window door flaps.” 

Nemec said there are so many people who have been working hard for the past year on getting the building complete. 

“Bruce Geissbuhler and his crew have put in a lot of hours recently. Their work is top quality, and we were glad he stepped up to help us out,” she said. “Last year, the majority of the upgrades were done by Dave Blaser, both with the structure, as well as checking over the electrical. We are all working together. It’s truly a labor of love. We will all be happy to see it complete.”

Nemec also assisted in the work.

The Octagon building represents something of days gone by, she said. If the walls could talk, it would list the many groups and organizations that have come and gone over the years, who have served beverages, baked goods, popcorn, burgers and brats, ice cream cones, as well as a variety of ticket sales throughout its history.

“Fundraising efforts are ongoing as we are looking to finish the roof with cedar shake shingles, as the original structure and the upgrades have indicated. We are trying to keep it as authentic as possible,” Nemec said.

Donations of any size can be dropped off at the museum, Monday through Friday. Area lumber yards are reviewing availability and pricing to get a better idea of funds that are still needed to get the Octagon building complete. 

The Octagon building remains a top priority of the Lafayette County Historical and Genealogy Society. A large portion of the Octagon structure was repaired and replaced as recently as the 1980s. Questions have been raised regarding if there is enough of the original building to continue to age it as a 150-year-old structure, though the skeletal structure of the Octagon building is the original. The post cards that were created with the photograph of the Big White Fair helped bring awareness of the necessity in keeping the structure around for generations to come. 

The Octagon building is not owned by the Lafayette County Historical and Genealogy Society.

“We should all be proud to have this beautiful building to remember history, especially as we look forward to celebrating Darlington’s 175th this summer,” Nemec said.