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May 13, 2008

Once bustling Rouses Point station in need of face-lift

Amtrak's National

Train Day helps Rouses Point building in journey

to new life as museum

By LUCAS BLAISE

ROUSES POINT -- I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

Rouses Point wants to have a little railway station that could.

Constructed by the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company in 1889, the decrepit rail station on Pratt Street has fallen into disrepair. Just six years ago, it was set to be destroyed by then-owners Canadian Pacific Rail Ltd.

The Village of Rouses Point later purchased it with plans to convert it into a museum, despite the extensive repairs needed.

"I think that villages are finally getting their act together and realizing that you need to save history, not tear it down," said Rouses Point-Champlain Historical Society member Dick Baker.

Because of the costs, though, not much has happened since then.

Two chimneys and bathrooms need to be rebuilt. Rotting woodwork, old flashing on the roof, brickwork, flooring, broken windows and insulation need to be replaced. An outside drainage problem needs to be repaired as well, as it is causing rainwater to flow through cracks into the cellar.

Man-made damage also needs to be addressed.

"You can see where they hit the wall with the baggage carts," Baker said, pointing to bricks on the exterior of the building that were imbedded deeper into the wall.

These more expensive tasks aren't going anywhere until the Historical Society's primary goal is addressed.

"You need to fix the roof. Without a roof, you haven't got anything," Baker said.

To raise funds, the Historical Society paired an open house of the old D&H station with Amtrack's National Train Day on Saturday.

"People love trains," said Historical Society President Geri Favreau. "When Amtrak came through here (today), the building emptied out."

Nearly 75 people came to visit during the day-long event and were treated to a look inside the station, along with a photo exhibit of the numerous railway companies that had traveled through Rouses Point.

"At least one (person) in every family has a part in this history," said Rouses Point Village Historian Donna Racine. "History has walked in and out of this building."

Some of the visitors remembered being enamored with life near the tracks, such as Village Mayor George Rivers.

"When I was a kid, I used to play around in here. It was always warm," Rivers said. "Of course, we'd always get booted out."

In contrast, the Historical Society is trying to draw more people in. Arts group Norte Maar has been trying to help.

Director Jason Andrew, a visual artist, and President Julia Gleich, of the London-based Gleich Dances Contemporary Ballet, have brought five summer dance concerts to Rouses Point to benefit the Historical Society.

"I've been obsessed with the society's work to renovate the train station," Andrew said.

As an orchestrator of the annual event, Norte Maar has gathered dancers from New York City, London and the Northern Tier of New York.

"It's an interesting town in incubation," Andrew said of Rouses Point. "I think the community has been on the cusp of a revival. We have awesome support from the village."

It's that support that the Historical Society is hoping will carry over so the building can be saved beyond its present condition.

"Anybody that has $1 million that they want to donate, we'll take it," said Rivers, laughing.

how to help
Rouses Point-Champlain Historical Society is accepting donations toward reconstructing the former D&H; Railway Station. Their first goal is to raise $100,000 for roof repairs.
Donation checks should be made out to Rouses Point/Champlain Historical Society and sent to P.O. Box 144, Rouses Point, NY 12979. Contributors will receive their name on a wall in the restored station.
For questions or more information, contact Melissa McManus at 297-6753.
Norte Maar's next performance with regional and international dancers will be held Aug. 14 to benefit the Rouses Point-Champlain Historical Society. Information can be found on their Web site at www.nortemaar.org.

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