Swansea Historical Society
UPDATE ON THE LUTHER STORE REPAIRS
What has been done to date:
- Entire roof replaced with wood roofing shingles.
- Building tented for powder post beetles, silver fish and any remaining pests.
75% of 1st floor framing replaced due to termite infestation. Pest Control Company has been retained to do bait trapping of
termites, mice and other pests.
- Bats have been relocated and building has been sealed.
- Hearth and hearth support rebuilt located first floor addition.
- The crawl space floor under the back addition was covered with concrete. This is an additional step to help reduce humidity
and aid in pest control.
- First floor ceiling removed to expose the 2nd floor framing issues.
- 2nd floor joist replaced and reinforcement. Replacement of a portion of the top wall plate due to advanced deterioration from
moisture infiltration from leaking window and high humidity in the building.
- Two permanent columns placed in the 1st floor back addition to support 2nd attic space and portion of the Library room due to
long term sagging of the support beams.
- Two exhaust fans placed in basement windows to aide in the reduction of humidity in the building. In the near future our plan
is to make the building as weather tight and climate controlled as possible when funding becomes available. This will stop the
costly reoccurrence and deterioration of the buildings structure that continues to happen every 10 to 15 years. Dehumidifiers
cannot be placed in the building until the building is rewired and made weather tight. Placing dehumidifiers in the building
before this is done would be grossly inefficient and costly.
- Wall on 2nd floor has been removed due to advanced deterioration. The wall was coming down on its own due to humidity and the fact
that before the relocation of the bats they were living on the top portion of the wall in the above attic space. Their feces and urine
were collection on the top of the wall helping with the beak down. The wall will be replaced when more funding becomes available.
All structural repairs to date have been paid from CPC funding.
Up coming repairs
- Support beam of the 2nd floor wall to be reinforced with steel plates due to insuffient support for long period of time coursing severe
deflection. There are 2 other areas of the 2nd floor framing that will need support. The 1st floor framing has a weight load of
100pds/sq. ft. - The 2nd floor framing has a weight load of 20pds/sq. ft. What does this mean, we need to down size the
amount of artifacts in the building. The 2nd floor will be used for storage only. The 2nd floor was used for storage only
since the Luther Store was moved in 1938 – 1990’s. The Acquisitions Committee has started the process of weeding out our collections.
- Public will not be allowed on the 2nd floor due to weight load restrictions and the fact the stairs are not to code, this causes a safe egress issue.
- Electrical wiring to be replaced through the entire building. We are having more electrical outlets and lighting done as well. This is being paid for by a private donation of $10,000.
- The plaster wall covering the 2nd floor fire place brick needs to be removed. There is black mold due to chimney and fireplace leaks
that have not been addressed till now. The chimneys will need to be repaired/rebuilt and the fireplaces will also need repairs.
Unfortunely the wall with all the names and weights may not be able to be saved. We need to take the ceiling down in that area,
it may affect that wall. Also that wall has black mold all over it. In order to clean it properly the writing may be affected. We
will not know until we start the work.
- The Luther Store cannot reopen until all structural and environmental issues are taken care of.
- We have to gather funding to have the building weather type as possible and climate controlled. This will cost approximately $40,000 to $50,000.
- We cannot continue to ignore the issue with the building. The building is letting us know it is tired and we have to start listening.
- The brick ties that hold the wood skeleton of the building to the brick veneer are no long in place and will need to be replaced. This will be done in sections over a period of a few years.
- There are several other issues that need our attention on the exterior as well as the interior. They will be taken care of when funding becomes available. We will continue to give you up dates. They will be available on our website and Facebook pages.
We still need your assistance in 2025. Any financial help would be greatly appreciated. Your donations will be used for
restoration and repairs only; not for operating funds.
Thank you from The Swansea Historical Society Executive Board
Donations to fund the ongoing repairs can be sent to:
The Swansea Historical Society
P.O. Box 723
Swansea Massachusetts 02777
or contact Cheryl Bogle at 508-496-9564 or @ integracrete2@gmail.com
}Topic of the Month
Lost Homes of Swansea
Our Topic of Lost Homes continues with the Swansea Villiage District
History of the SHS
Still photo presentation on the history of the SHS and the acquisition of the Luther Store
Tour the Store
While the Luther Store is closed for maintenance and repairs, the SHS is presenting this small
tour of some interesting artifacts inside the store.
Please click here to view the tour.
(updated 9-27-22)
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Tours
The Luther Store is currently closed for renovations
Research
By appointment only
Anyone wishing to do research (e.g. viewing family files or something in the Swansea Historical Society's collections) please contact Cheryl Bogle at 508-496-9564 to schedule an appointment.
Check out the
Be sure to select
Swansea Historical Society!
Visitor number:
Welcome to the Swansea Historical Society!
The Swansea Historical Society is a non profit organization dedicated to preserving, collecting and researching historical information and items. The society also takes pride in creating ways to help future generations understand their heritage and the history of Swansea.
Founded January 23rd, 1941 the Swansea Historical Society celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2021!
Join Us for Our Upcoming Events
click here for more info on contests and entry forms
Joseph Case High School Yearbooks Available
The SHS was gifted with many copies of the Joseph Case High School Yearbook. With permission from the gifter, we are selling the extra copies to help with the cost of repairs to the Luther Store.
Yearbooks are $15 each and can be purchased by contacting Cheryl Bogle at 508-496-9564 or integracrete2@gmail.com.
These are the available years:
- 1946 - 4 copies
- 1948 - 1 copies
- 1949 - 1 copy
- 1951 - 1 copy
- 1953 - 3 copies
- 1954 - 1 copies
- 1956 - 2 copies
- 1958 - 1 copy
- 1959 - 1 copy
- 1960 - 3 copies
- 1961 - 3 copies
- 1962 - 2 copies
- 1963 - 1 copies
- 1964 - 1 copy
- 1965 - 1 copy
- 1966 - 5 copies
- 1967 - 1 copy
- 1968 - 1 copy
- 1969 - 2 copies
- 1970 - 2 copy
- 1971 - 1 copy
- 1973 - 1 copy
- 1977 - 1 copy
- 1978 - 1 copy
- 1981 - 1 copy
- 1986 - 3 copy
SHS Temporary Storage
The Swansea Historical Society would like to thank Dave Thompson from Go Mini's Portable Storage for helping us put
a storage unit on the grounds of the Luther Store while we address some structural issues with the second floor.
Luther Store Update - June 2025
After the first floor ceiling was taken down, structural issues were exposed. The second floor window on the east face of the
building has been leaking for quite some time, causing damage to the framing beneath the window moving down to the second floor
sill, joists and framing. Our contractor has taken care of the second floor framing but we now need to address the window framing
and any other damage in that area.
For many years, the SHS has been calling a small room on the second floor of the Luther Store "the library." This room was JG Luther's office.
Too many heavy objects had been stored in that area which caused the support beams to severely deflect. To add support, two permanent columns have been placed in the back room of the first floor where those deflected beams are located.
We have other structural issues to address as well as the replacement of rotted joists. Most at the windows, chimney and fireplaces need to be rebuilt as well as several other issues. These will be taken care of as we can afford to. All structural and environmental issues will be taken care of before we open the store to the public.
When the store is ready to be reopened, the second floor is going to be used for storage only. No public access to the 2nd floor will be allowed. We are not 100% sure how things will be laid out in the Store. We are thinking of recreating an 1800s General Store on the main floor as soon as you walk in. To the left on the main level is the addition area that will be for exhibits. The back room will store our historical documents and research materials.
SHS Family Research - The Helen Pierce Collection
The Swansea Historical Society has a collection of local family files compiled by Helen Pierce.
Please check our Resources page for a list of available names to aide
in your research.
Swansea Historical Society Store
Please check out the items available in our SHS store. They make great
holiday gifts!
Swansea Historical Society 2022 Family Recipe Cookbook is still available!
Please contact Cheryl Bogle (508-496-9564) or
Sandy Clark to purchase a Swansea Historical Society Family Recipe Cookbook
or fill out and order form (see link on the right) and mail to the SHS with your payment.
Luther Store Issues & Repairs
Swansea Luther Store from Swansea Community Network on Vimeo.
WBZ Radio Interview:
"For centuries, Swansea residents have patronized and loved the J.G. Luther Store on Old Warren Road. Time takes its toll on buildings like this, but the Swansea Historical Society has been able to keep up - until COVID hit. Now, they're scrambling to try and fix massive structural and pest problems in hopes of saving this beloved historical landmark. Cheryl Bogle from the Swansea Historical Society has details on what happened, and how you can help them get the store back to good."
NOTE: The SHS interview is the second half of the podcast."
Upcoming Events
Pumpkin Patch Event
October 11th, 2025
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Pie Baking Contest
JUDGES NEEDED for both contests - please contact Cheryl Bogle to volunteer
click here for more info on contests and entry forms
Abram's Rock Walk
October 26th, 2025
Town Cemeteries Talk
October 29th, 2025
11 a.m. @ COA
click here for more info
Christmas Wreaths and Swags Workshop
November 2025
click here for more info
Fall 2025 Newsletter
Summer 2025 Newsletter
Spring 2025 Newsletter
Winter 2024/25 Newsletter
Fall 2024 Newsletter
Summer 2024 Newsletter
SHS Family Recipe Cookbook
On sale now!
Cookbook Info
Cookbooks can also be purchased at Riverside Art (1600 G.A.R. Hwy, Somerset) or the Swansea Public Library