Birdhouses

Birdhouse Project 2007

2007 marks the 120th year for the Sandwich Fair and, this year, FVWWC will be there with our Limited Edition, Birdhouse Style, Collectibles as our current fundraising opportunity!

The ever popular Home Arts Building has been an icon of the Fair since it was built in 1905, on the sight of the 1892 Floral Hall. Lightening, and the resulting fire, had destroyed the original building earlier that year.

Thought of by many as the symbol of the Sandwich Fair itself, the fascinating Home Arts Building was an easy choice for our latest project.

FVWWC had been successful a few years ago with birdhouses it built, in conjunction with the Batavia Women’s Club, that were replicas of the historic Batavia Depot. The Depot, which now serves as a museum, lent itself well to our club project.

With that in mind, we began considering what other local buildings held similar historical recognition. Member Darrel Anderson suggested the Home Arts Building as a favorite of many, in his hometown and around the country, and it was readily chosen for our current project.

This was a group effort from beginning to end. From the first photos and initial measurements Charlie & Linda Christensen gathered in the summer of 2006 till all 100 collectibles are sold, our success is owed to all who had time to give us a hand.

Once Dick Secrest, Birdhouse Chairman, had developed the drawings from which we would work, members cut out thousands of windows, 100’s of roofs and tons of other parts to create our works of art. Painting, staining and assembly were done over many weeks in member Jim Vojcek’s barn. Each collectible is comprised of over 150 individual pieces, all handcrafted by FVWWC members & friends.

As the mountains of parts grew, we did pause to wonder if this might have been a project of unattainable proportions. Every time doubt occurred we just took a few deep breaths and got back to work.

We had more than a few meetings and countless “Engineering Changes” to make things fit just right but, in the end, it is a job well done by all.

Many hours of cutting, gluing, assembly, staining, painting and tender care were involved but, as they say, many hands make light work. Repeated calls to action were answered, planning meetings and work sessions well attended.

More members will donate time and talent to manning the club booth to assist with the sales during the Fair.