Readsboro Hometown Redevelopment

History:

The E.J. Bullock Building (circa 1890) is a landmark building located on Main Street in Readsboro.  The three story wood structure is in the Second French Empire Style.  Over the years, the building was first a grocery and dry goods store and continued as a retail operation.  But over the years it also housed residents, a movie theater, was home to both the Mason and Order of the Eastern Star, and numerous community events such as school graduations.

Readsboro Hometown Redevelopment Inc. (RHRC)

In 2004 a group of Readsboro residents came together to form Readsboro Hometown Redevelopment Inc.; in 2006 this group evolved into a non-profit organization (501 (c) 3, necessary to make the restoration effort of the E.J. Bullock Building eligible for grants and to make private donations tax deductible; on November 9, 2009, the Readsboro Hometown Redevelopment, Inc., (RHRC), purchased the building through generous grants and private donations, and has an easement agreement with Preservation Trust of Vermont.

E.J. Bullock Renovation Project

The E.J. Bullock Building (1890) is a landmark building located at 7012 Main Street (Route 100 Scenic Byway) Readsboro.   The E.J. Bullock Building Project is moving forward toward our goal of restoring this Historic Building to its original splendor and usefulness.

Phase I  (2010-2011)

• stabilized of the back west corner of the building
• repaired/replaced  a portion of the roof
• repaired and painted first floor walls and columns 
• installed two restrooms
• installed ADA compliant handicapped side ramp
• With the assistants of our Readsboro Artist Partners, covered east windows with beautiful art work painted on plywood to keep the weather out
• Chimney removal

Phase II (2011-present) 

• Restore/replace first floor and front façade windows to replicate the historic appearance
• Install a community kitchen,
• Pour a concrete floor and install heating system

Current use

• Space on the first floor is open for large community events/activities such as the Annual Auction, the out-standing “Music in the Hills” concert other concerts and private parties and meetings. 
•  In May of 2016 a small Art Gallery, “Confluence” was designed and built in conjunction with Readsboro Arts Inc.  This is a 400 square foot gallery facing onto Main Street.  The gallery will operate from May through October of 2016.  Local and regional artists have displayed their art work and brought an increase in the number of visitors to town and to the building.

Future plans

• Refurbish second floor as space for small businesses, town office space
• Refurbish third floor
• Repair and paint exterior
• Restore/replace remaining windows
• Level the second and third floors
• Install heating system (each floor as they are renovated)
• Install elevator

Restoration of the prominent 1890 E. J. Bullock Building will raise the profile and appearance of the entire Main Street area in Readsboro, encouraging other positive changes and economic growth!  The Route 100 Scenic Byway is our “Main Street”.

Contact:          

Readsboro Hometown Redevelopment (RHR)Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit dedicated to the restoration of the 1891 E.J. Bullock Building, a landmark building located at 7012  Main Street,  Readsboro, Vermont.

Readsboro Hometown Redevelopment, Inc. invites you and your friends and family to tour the building.  We are always excited to show how much we have accomplished in the restoration of this lovely building.  If you have an interest in visiting the site, contact Susan Bailey, President at bailesm@myfairpoint.net or

Readsboro Hometown Redevelopment, Inc.

7012 Main Street, PO Box 261

Readsboro, VT  05350