Editor's note: A previous version of this story published online included an error in the name of the registry. The error has been corrected in the version below.
NEW GLARUS - The Village of New Glarus Parks and Recreation Committee will consider the possibility of nominating the Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places tonight, Dec. 12 at the village hall. Village Administrator Nic Owen said the preliminary idea is being discussed to determine its effects on the village's work towards preserving the home of Edwin Barlow. The Chalet, which offers tours to the public, houses Barlow's eclectic collection of treasures from around the globe. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the village hall board room. The Chalet was on the verge of closing last fall, as maintenance costs swelled and tourists' visits fell. Earlier this year, the New Glarus Brewing Company stepped in with a donation of an undisclosed amount to help keep the Chalet open. Consideration of the national register nomination is just one idea the village is looking at to try to keep the Chalet operating and to raise attendance, awareness and appreciation for the museum, he added. The possibility of meeting the requirements for nomination look good. "The requirements are not as stringent as I thought they would be," Owen said. Owen said he has talked with Rick Bernstein of the Wisconsin State Historical Society about the pros and cons of having the Chalet listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to Owen, Bernstein said being on the national register would make the Chalet more attractive for grant applications. But he also said a couple of state statues place some restrictions on changes to listed properties. One law says any action that could adversely affect the listed property needs a state review. For example, if some repairs were needed, such as window upgrades for energy efficiency, the village would have to submit the plans for state review, Owen noted. Bernstein also said that the state is only able to review and make recommendations to the village on the changes; it does not have the authority to deny the changes, Owen added. The other statute that applies would require the village to attach a historic covenant on the property if it were to ever sell the Chalet. The covenant is subject to state review and approval. Nomination of the Chalet to the National Register of Historic Places is the only item on the agenda for discussion. Greg Thoemke chairs the committee.
NEW GLARUS - The Village of New Glarus Parks and Recreation Committee will consider the possibility of nominating the Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places tonight, Dec. 12 at the village hall. Village Administrator Nic Owen said the preliminary idea is being discussed to determine its effects on the village's work towards preserving the home of Edwin Barlow. The Chalet, which offers tours to the public, houses Barlow's eclectic collection of treasures from around the globe. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the village hall board room. The Chalet was on the verge of closing last fall, as maintenance costs swelled and tourists' visits fell. Earlier this year, the New Glarus Brewing Company stepped in with a donation of an undisclosed amount to help keep the Chalet open. Consideration of the national register nomination is just one idea the village is looking at to try to keep the Chalet operating and to raise attendance, awareness and appreciation for the museum, he added. The possibility of meeting the requirements for nomination look good. "The requirements are not as stringent as I thought they would be," Owen said. Owen said he has talked with Rick Bernstein of the Wisconsin State Historical Society about the pros and cons of having the Chalet listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to Owen, Bernstein said being on the national register would make the Chalet more attractive for grant applications. But he also said a couple of state statues place some restrictions on changes to listed properties. One law says any action that could adversely affect the listed property needs a state review. For example, if some repairs were needed, such as window upgrades for energy efficiency, the village would have to submit the plans for state review, Owen noted. Bernstein also said that the state is only able to review and make recommendations to the village on the changes; it does not have the authority to deny the changes, Owen added. The other statute that applies would require the village to attach a historic covenant on the property if it were to ever sell the Chalet. The covenant is subject to state review and approval. Nomination of the Chalet to the National Register of Historic Places is the only item on the agenda for discussion. Greg Thoemke chairs the committee.