While model trains wind their way through miniature villages spanning 200 years in time over roughly 6,000 square feet of space, Roadside America staff battle the threats of a leaking roof in an attempt to protect an 80-year-old miniature village exhibit in Shartlesville.
Creator Laurence Gieringer spent his life creating the model villages, starting during his childhood.
“Roadside America has been handed down through the generations,” said manager Brian Hilbert, who is related to the founder’s family through marriage. He believes it is important to protect Gieringer’s legacy of craftsmanship and dedication.
When he hears rain, Hilbert quickly goes into action to take care of the leaking roof, that has not been replaced since the building was built in 1953.
“After the big snow storm hit (in January 2016), it ripped it all apart, wind damage, trees and branches coming down. Snow would melt, water would get into the cracks, freeze again, expand the cracks,” said Hilbert. “It was an ongoing thing and the cracks just got bigger. And because it’s an old roof, it couldn’t handle what today’s weather is.”
Village supervisor Jon Jordan of Hamburg, originally from Reading, said when it rains consistently, there are leaks in the attic that sometimes trickle down over the show floor. As a result of the leaks, they had to move some of the model grass and fixtures. Feeling lucky so far, he is worried about the threat of the leaks causing damage to the exhibit, which celebrated its 80th anniversary this year. The youngest pieces are about 50 years old, the last made before Gieringer passed away in 1963.
“It’s pretty old. We work our hardest to maintain it the way he had it when he passed away, but with the rain it’s an uphill battle,” said Jordan, who helps maintain the display. “For me, I’ve been coming here ever since I was a kid. I feel like that’s the story for a lot of people who come in here. This place has been not only family owned but it’s been passed down through generations of customers coming in. Nobody wants to see this place close, especially me. It would mean a lot for it to stay open for 100 more years.”
Jordan said the problem has been steadily escalating over the past year.
“We’ve been trying to fight it off as best we can with buckets and tarps. When it does rain consistently like it has for the past two days, it drips through the ceiling panels out into the display,” said Jordan. “The community support has been outstanding thus far. We would be nothing without them. Thank you to everybody who has supported us.”
On Nov. 29, rain closed the exhibit for the day because there was so much water leaking over the show floor and onto stairs. There were buckets placed in the display.
“We have peeling paint. Some of the ceiling tiles fell down. Water will actually get into the display. All that stuff we can fix but we can’t fix the roof,” said Hilbert.
Noting that the building and roof are structurally sound, Hilbert said there are no safety issues, but water can cause a lot of damage.
“We will be operational. We will get it fixed no matter what,” said Hilbert.
The 82-by-163-square-foot barrel shaped roof is made out of bitumen.
“It’s an older rubber they used way back when,” said Hilbert. “We’re looking to put up 60 mil rubber (made by Mule-Hide) so it’ll be a lot thicker than it is now. There will be a layer of insulation underneath. They’re actually putting it overtop the old roof.”
Hilbert said it is a lot more cost effective to put the new roof over the old roof, instead of removing the old roof first. They have received several quotes, the lowest at $80,000.
Hilbert set up a Go Fund Me page for Roadside America’s roof renovation, at www.gofundme.com/roadsideamerica. So far, they have raised $16,890.
“The help and support from the community has been overwhelming. To do them justice is getting the roof fixed and keeping this place operational,” said Hilbert. “An overwhelming thank you. That’s what the whole family would say is thank you for your support and your love for Roadside America. We will do our part. As a family we will try to keep it running as long as we can.”
For more information about Roadside America, visit http://roadsideamericainc.com/. Winter hours are daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
