Village IV Project!
Our beloved “Old Village IV Lodge”: Drawing
by Elaine Griffith
The Story of the Lodge at Village
IV
The Village IV Lodge originally started life sometime in the early
1900’s as a rustic retreat and hunting camp located in the mountains
of Western Massachusetts. The idyllic setting was upset with the
building of the Massachusetts Turnpike, connecting Boston with the
New York State line. Forced to give up his log cabin by imminent
domain, the lawyer owner had the cabin dismantled and sent to
another rustic setting, Camp Putnam in New Braintree, Massachusetts.
The cabin arrived at Camp Putnam in the early 1950’s in a huge pile
of pieces.
The Camp staff and volunteers re-assembled the cabin, placing it on
a foundation of concrete blocks. It was here that it began a new
life as the Lodge in Village IV. Since that time, the Village IV
lodge has served as the main focal point of the Village, with over
10,000 girls, ages 5 and up, laughing, crying, sleeping, singing,
caring and sharing in the magic that is Camp Putnam.
The years, the weather, the lack of a solid foundation all took
their toil on the cabin and finally, in October of 2005, the Camp
Director made the decision that we all knew was coming: the lodge
would need to be replaced. With heavy hearts and strong arms camp
staff and volunteers spent two days dismantling that building that
had served so many of Camp Putnam’s kids so well.
Village IV staff members saying “good-bye” to the old lodge.
Hopefully, they will be able to say “hello” to a new lodge this
June!
The Site of the new building:
Village IV
The task of replacing the Lodge is proving to be no small feat. The
original building sat on concrete blocks sunk in extremely wet
ground, causing the entire structure to finally “split apart at the
seams”. The new building requires extensive excavation and
engineering to create a foundation that will last.
Donations of time, equipment and labor, have allowed a new
foundation and drainage lines to be dug. Footings were built and
poured. Concrete forms were erected and walls poured. Our new
building has been started!
BUT,
NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP! Lumber needs to be purchased,
roof trusses bought, windows and doors ordered, plumbing and
electrical supplies obtained…The entire building start to finish is
estimated at a cost $28,000…This figure represents only materials,
as ALL OF OUR LABOR WILL BE DONATED BY CAMP STAFF MEMBERS AND
VOLUNTEERS.
To date, through the generosity of friends, we have received $6,000
in pledges leaving us with a balance to raise of $22,000. Our goal
is to raise both the funds and the building by June 1, 2006, so that
another summer of wonderful children can experience the magic of
Camp Putnam and the special place that is Village IV. We need your
help!
We are asking your business to consider supporting this worthy
project by “buying” a piece of the building. A tile with your
company’s name will decorate one wall in the building and will be an
eternal reminder of all who use this facility of your generosity on
behalf of the children of Camp Putnam. Also, your company name will
appear in our newsletter and in other promotional literature. And,
of course, you will receive a letter thanking you for your generous
tax-deductible donation.
Please consider making your business a member of:
• The Red Feather Circle (donations of $2500 or more)
• The Camp Director’s Circle (donations of $1000 or more)
• The Head Counselor’s Circle (donations of $500 or more)
• The Counselor’s Circle (donations of $100 or more)
Or, support us with any size donation you and your business see fit.
On behalf of the thousands of girls who have created everlasting
memories in Village IV and the thousands more who will do so in the
future, I thank you in advance for supporting this worthy project.
Todd D. Stewart,
Executive Camp Director
PS: Watch this website for updates on our building progress as we
begin to erect walls, roof and so much more!
Recent work completed:
The foundation was formed and poured.
Backfilling has been done.
Construction of the floor of the new building has started. Sills, a
massive carrier beam and floor joists were put in place and the
flooring is being applied.
Watch for more updates!
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