Issue: 44 Page: 7
Phase One Work Continues at Case Mill Homestead.
by Nancy Beckham
HerbalGram. 1998; 44:7 American Botanical Council
In July, during one of the hottest Texas summers to date, the American Botanical Council moved into new headquarters at 6200 Manor Road in Austin. The restoration phase of the 140-year-old Case Mill Homestead was nearly complete, minus only a few technical details to successfully finish the main building. At present employees are all sharing space in the old house, and progress is being made to finish the Carriage House and Education Building Annex for the move to individual permanent workspaces.The Carriage House will be home for the ABC sales team, as well as facilities for shipping and receiving and storage of book inventories and HerbalGram back issues. A well-maintained environment is crucial for proper storage of ABC's extensive catalog selection of herbal books and magazines, and conscientious planning went into this area. In late August, ABC received permits to continue refining the Carriage House. This space will be occupied by late September. The sales team moved in during the first week of October. The Educational Annex was installed on-site in late July. In September subcontractors will begin the work of finishing out the interior space. The beautiful period wood-laminate floors and exquisite wood moldings used throughout the main building will be duplicated there as well. This magical 2.5-acre complex in East Austin has taken on a new look. Great care was taken to maintain the integrity of this historical homestead. The front porch was enlarged, adding two new eight-foot oak entry doors with beautiful trim moldings, new carriage lights, and four oversized porch rockers, extending meeting space to the outdoors. The exterior paint colors are typical of the original Victorian era with tones a bit softer to enhance the new grandeur of the old home and blend in with the surrounding herb gardens. As construction is completed for these buildings, plans are coming together for a site plan that will include the new Herbal Research Center Building, additional greenhouses, and a rainwater collection facility. Steps are under way to finalize designs and evaluate the increasing space needs of the ever-expanding organization. For now, the staff at ABC is eagerly planning a Fall Preview Party on Friday, October 16. For the first time, the Austin public will be invited to tour the new site and enjoy the support of local musicians, restaurants, and wineries. Plans are also in progress to begin the celebration of ABC's 10th-Year Anniversary the first of November 1998. The excitement grows as each stage of construction is completed and all 30 employees of ABC settle into their new home. Thanks again to the fine supporters and subscribers of the American Botanical Council for bringing this dream to fruition. Article copyright American Botanical Council. ~~~~~~~~ By Nancy Beckham
|