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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2024
West Lafayette Caretaker's Cottage
Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind (Tuesday, March 5, 2024) - The City of West Lafayette and the West Lafayette Public Library are thrilled to announce the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated and historically preserved West Lafayette Caretaker's Cottage. The event will take place on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM.
Built in 1903, the Caretaker's Cottage has undergone extensive interior renovations and modest exterior preservation efforts to protect the craftsmanship and rare building materials found within West Lafayette. The project faced significant delays during the pandemic due to supply chain issues and the procurement of appropriate historical materials. Kettelhut Construction, Inc., based in Lafayette, Indiana, generously donated their time and talents during the reconstruction of the cottage. "The construction industry faced unprecedented challenges in securing vital materials during the pandemic. One such material was the red clay roof tiles, essential to preserve and restore the Caretaker's Cottage. We salvaged many of the original tiles but had to order some special-shaped pieces. Effective communication among the stakeholders, including our construction suppliers and contractors was crucial for success. By coordinating the delivery of the clay roof tiles with the reroofing activities, we ensured that the Caretaker's Cottage received a restored clay tile roof. The open and candid dialogue among all parties helped us achieve the goal," shared Alex Gonzales, Executive Vice President of Kettelhut Construction, Inc. The Cottage's final cost was just under $650,000 - not including the in-kind donations.
"We are so grateful for the time and dedicated service of the CHiPs committee, KJG Architecture, and Kettelhut Construction for their generous contributions to the preservation and construction of the Caretaker's Cottage." Mayor Easter stated, "This relatively small, at 885-square-feet of history will have an outsized impact in the preservation of historic places and telling the history of the City of West Lafayette."
The West Lafayette Public Library will collaborate with community partners to develop exhibits that highlight local history. "This Cottage is a realization of remarkable investments from the city, our community, and local business. We look forward to the Cottage being a place that tells the story of West Lafayette's unique past and bright future. Visitors can expect to see exhibits co-created with community members or partner organizations, and programs focused on telling the West Lafayette community story," says Marra Honeywell, West Lafayette Public Library Director. Updates about the Cottage including upcoming exhibits and events can be found at https://wlaf.lib.in.us/grandviewcottage.
The Cottage will operate from Thursday to Sunday, 12:00 - 5:00 PM. Six onsite parking spaces will be available for regular use during business hours. However, please note that parking for the event is limited to street parking outside the cemetery grounds and at the West Lafayette Community School Corporation (WLCSC) District Office, located at 1130 North Salisbury. A hearty thank you to WLCSC for their support.
Don't miss the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the West Lafayette Caretakers Cottage. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Jenifer Van Schuyver
Director of Development
jvanschuyver@westlafayette.in.gov
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