British Hollow Smelter Project Awarded Grant

The British Hollow Smelter Project was awarded a $250.00 matching grant towards the preservation efforts of the circa 1841 lead smelter. The grant, given by the Point of Beginnings Heritage Area group, was one of several grants given to various individuals and groups within the in the tri-county area. Grants are awarded to preservation projects and or projects that publicize and educate the public about about heritage tourism.

	Inside After Repairs

Funds from the grant have already been put to use by purchasing materials to make masonry repairs on the smelter. This past fall, project director Alan VanNatta made repairs on a structural 'weak point' inside of the structure, while John Broihahn worked on repairing portions of the hearth arches. Masonry work is planned to resume in the spring of 2003.

Hearth Arch Repairs

In May of 2002, Frank Steck, UW-Platteville professor and students Travis Ray, and Alan VanNatta volunteered and spent a day reconstructing and mortaring portions of the British Hollow smelter. A mixer, generator and other tools were donated for use that day by Jeff Pintz, owner of Pintz Construction and Masonry, of Seneca, WI.

Additionally the British Hollow Smelter Project received a $500.00 matching grant from the Point of Beginnings Heritage Area group in the fall of 2001. Mark Ihm, of Ihm Construction, along with assistant Adam Charles was hired to make critical repairs to the badly damaged large vault. This helped alleviate the most detrimental structural frailty of the smelter.

If you would like to learn more about the historic smelter and the restoration project or how you could help too, financially or by lending a hand, please contact us!