By Tammy Kilby

For the Republican Journal

DARLINGTON — The last remaining building from the Big White Fair will receive the attention it deserves in the new year. As winter has halted the restoration efforts of the 150-year-old eight-sided concession, the Octagon building will be updated as restoration resumes in 2024. 

“The bottom half has been completed and we have materials on hand for the top half,” said Barb Nemec, President of the Lafayette County Historical and Genealogy Society. 

Nemec and a handful of volunteers have worked diligently to restore the Octagon building, which hasn’t been restored for a number of years. Fundraising efforts have been underway all year, which assisted in getting much work complete in a short amount of time. 

The Octagon building has sold concessions of every kind throughout the years. This year, it drew much attention as volunteers worked at the Lafayette County Fair selling pies, cakes, and cookies. Antique Days was another successful weekend for volunteers, where the smell of fresh popped popcorn wafted in the air. Lavern Kammerude prints and merchandise were also sold at both events. 

The efforts of the volunteers, comprised of LCHGS members, employees and board members, brought attention to the Octagon building, which raised interest in its restoration, thus raising necessary funds to get the efforts started. 

In addition to the building itself, the grounds around the Octagon building will also be receiving some attention. 

“We will replace the grass behind the Octagon building with a perennial flower garden to add color and eliminate mowing behind the building,” Nemec said, sharing the plans for the grass area that surrounds the building. 

Concern has grown as the grass clippings that accumulate can draw and hold moisture, thus contributing to the deterioration of the building’s wood exterior. The perennial garden will add to the Octagon building’s presentation, which will also be cared for by volunteers and fundraising efforts. 

To add to the historic value of the Octagon building, historians have noted the flagpole atop the structure when referring back to historical photographs of the building. Talks are underway as LCHGS investigates ways to restore that element, if feasible, to the Octagon building. Local structural engineers may be asked to weigh-in on that possibility.

The completed project, however, will take some time, as restoration will resume when spring weather arrives. Each step to the project adds more cost, which is worth the effort, especially as the historic value of the Octagon building increases. 

“Replacement of the cedar shake roof will be costly so we have applied for two different grants in hopes of securing financial assistance,” Nemec said. “The roof does not leak at this time, so we can afford the time to raise funds for that final part of the project.” 

For those wanting to make a donation can do so by mail or by stopping by the Lafayette County Historical and Genealogy Society at 525 Park Place (Main St.) in Darlington. Because several fundraising efforts are underway with LCHGS, note “Octagon building” on the memo line.

The next meeting of the LCHGS will be Thursday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. The Octagon building will be one of the many projects discussed. The public is invited to attend.