Today the Board of the Historic Wilmington Foundation awarded a $23,500 loan to the Children’s Museum of Wilmington.
WHQR’s Sara Wood reports the loan will help repair a leaking roof caused by water damage.
The museum’s three buildings include the historic St. Johns Masonic Lodge, where the repairs will begin, the former Greek Orthodox Church, and the Cowan House, constructed by Jane Cowan. She was the second wife of former North Carolina Governor Edward Dudley who took office in 1836. The museum restored these buildings back in 2006. The loan from the foundation comes from its revolving fund and stipulates the museum donate a preservation easement on the buildings to ensure their permanent historic protection. The museum is considering more work and additional loans from the foundation. The foundation has made a number of loans to help stabilize and preserve buildings. Currently the group has easement agreements with 92 other properties in the city.