Lantz Construction Co. window refurbishers include, from left, Roger Kimble, Tony McMillan, Richard Kimble, and Adam Hedrick. (Recorder photo by John Bruce)

Published March 30, 2016 by The Recorder Staff Writer John Bruce

MONTEREY – Contractor Lantz Construction Co. is adding finishing touches to The Highland Center.  A public grand opening celebration is set for 2-4 p.m. on May 1.

Newly rehabilitated windows are a striking facet of the $3 million renovation.  Equally impressive is the attention to detail that went into the project.

A team of five skilled carpenters worked three months to return the windows as much as possible to their original condition when the old Monterey High School was built in 1922.

Carpenters Richard Kimble of Upper Tract, WV and his brother Roger Kimble of Franklin, W. Va., Kenny “Buck” Bennett of Riverton, W. Va., Tony McMillan of Staunton, and Adam Hedrick of Franklin performed the work. They started in July 2015 with the prescribed environmental safeguard of blood lead testing although onsite levels fell within accepted norms.

Then the work began.

Fixing old windows might sound like an easy job, but it actually involves a number of detailed steps. McMillan explained.

For three months the carpenters toiled over about 80 sets of double-hung windows sashes with more than 1,000 panes of glass.  They removed and saved the old panes that were reusable. They removed the old paint and putty.  The carpenters prepped the rabbets, the groves in the sash that hold the panes.  They bedded the panes, reusing as many of the original ones as possible.  They set the glazier’s points and applied putty. Lastly, they replaced the ropes before reinstalling the windows.

Naturally the biggest hazard was broken glass.  The men used gloves and safety glasses to prevent injury.

The detail work is necessary to help preserve the historical character of the 94 year-old landmark.

The building served as Monterey High School and Highland Elementary School before it was purchased and incorporated as The Highland Center in 1998.  The structure is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places.

In planning for years, the center’s renovation includes numerous upgrades such as:

Converting classrooms to conference and retreat facilities,

A visitors’ center and two new commercial kitchens with USDA certification for dairy and meat handling,

Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, adding handicapped-accessible entrances,  upgraded restrooms and elevator,

Restoring the central auditorium with improved lighting and acoustics,

New heating and cooling system with zoned controls and increased energy efficiency,

Exterior stabilization masonry repair, new electrical, plumbing and standby generator allowing for use as an emergency shelter,

Restoring historic elements such as woodwork, windows and lighting, and

Additional hardtop parking and landscaping.

The Highland Center owns the Highland Inn, also a historic landmark. Exterior renovations on the inn are due this spring. The center and the inn will work together hand in glove, center director Betty Mitchell explained, because the conference and retreat facility will rely on the inn and other establishments for lodging its participants and thereby boost the local economy by attracting weekday visitors.

The inn has housed the center’s staff during renovation. Volunteers have worked in shifts to staff the front desk, serve as over-night innkeepers and help in other ways.

The Highland Center raised private contributions and won grants to cover its renovation costs.  Grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission, Virginia Department of Transportation, and a $1.2 million award from the U. S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration helped support the project.

The center relies on donations to help support its operations and community infrastructure projects.  For information access http://www.thehighlandcenter.org or call (540) 468-1922.