Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

On the evening of Jan. 14, 1990, Doug Seyle knocked on his employers front door at Savannahs stately Mercer House on Monterey Square. Receiving no response, he let himself in and found the historic homes locally famous resident, 59-year-old Jim Williams, lying dead in the study.

He died from a simple case of pneumonia, but the location of his death was remarkable. In that same room on May 2, 1981, Williams shot and killed 21-year-old Danny Lewis Hansford. Williams, an accomplished antiques dealer, building restorer, and Savannah socialite, insisted that hed shot the young man his part-time assistant and occasional lover in self-defense. Within a few weeks, Williams was indicted for murder.

Three decades after his death, Jim Williams is famous far beyond Savannah. The circumstances of the Hansford shooting, and the four trials that Williams endured to clear his name, provided the primary plot for "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", John Berendts 1994 bestseller. Known locally as "The Book", it later served as the basis for a Hollywood movie, and became a driving force behind modern Savannah tourism.

However, Williamss legacy extends beyond the provocative anecdotes that made Berendt a multimillionaire. Williams was a leading preservationist of historic Savannah buildings, revamping over 30 edifices citywide. His projects included the Olde Pink House on Reynolds Square, the Hampton Lillibridge House on East Saint Julian Street, and the Mercer House now called the Mercer Williams House Museum where he lived and died.

This palatial Italianate mansion, constructed just after the Civil War for General Hugh W. Mercer (the great-grandfather of musician Johnny Mercer), now ranks among Savannahs most popular landmark museums. Owned by Williamss sister, Dorothy Kingery, the museum is currently receiving a thorough external refurbishment, in what she considers an effort to preserve her brothers restoration legacy.

"People really enjoy learning about Jims history," Kingery said, noting that Williamss antique collection within Mercer House paints a tasteful portrait of his life. "To carry this on, it means a lot to me and my family, and we are pleased to be able to do it."

"He took it in stride"

While Williams worked on many impressive buildings, Mercer House was his masterpiece. After completing its initial restoration in 1970 and making it his personal home, Williams hosted legendary parties there and used it as a showcase for his finest antiques. During his trials, it also became a place of refuge.

"We spent a lot of time in Jims house," said Atlanta-based attorney Don Samuel, who served on the Williams defense team. "It was somewhat museum-like even then."

Most anyone standing trial for murder would be forgiven for letting the ordeal overwhelm their decorum. However, this wasnt Williamss style, Samuel said.

"He was a very charming guy, unlike 99% of people on trial," Samuel said, adding that Williams carried himself with grace and good humor while working on his defense. "He took it in stride."

When Williams was finally found innocent after his fourth trial in 1989, Samuel recalls that his client was "completely exuberant, of course."

Nonetheless, Williamss passing just months after his exoneration made the courtroom victory bittersweet for Samuel.

"That was very tragic and sad that he didnt get to enjoy his freedom," Samuel said.

"Its a huge job"

Kingery remembers sitting with her mother and Williamss lawyers at the dining-room table soon after his death, and being asked what the family would do with the historic home.

"I said, We will keep it, of course," Kingery recalls.

Although maintaining such a grand estate was no small endeavor, Kingery felt that her brothers extensive efforts to preserve Mercer House would help considerably.

"Jim had just finished a restoration," Kingery said. "I was confident that we were dealing with a house that was in excellent shape."

For the next 14 years, Kingery maintained Mercer House as a private residence for herself and her daughter Susan, who now manages museum operations despite initial reservations about her mothers plan to turn the mansion into an exhibition.

"She said, Im going to turn it into a museum, and I said, Youre crazy," Susan Kingery recalls with a laugh.

Dorothy Kingery, who earned a history masters and a sociology PhD from the University of Georgia before establishing and directing UGAs Survey Research Center, was confident that the family could open Mercer House to the public.

"I knew how to hire and supervise people," Dorothy Kingery said, and in the years that followed, the mother-daughter team turned Mercer House into a premier Savannah attraction, although they declined to reveal specific visitor totals. "You would be amazed at the number of people who come here."

Still, museum operations require a great deal of work, and the elements also present challenges to the nearly 150-year-old building. With paint chipping on the trim and areas of the brick facade requiring cleaning, last year the Kingerys decided to refurbish the entire exterior. The restoration began in December, and is expected to continue through March, with the Savannah branch of Choate Construction handling the project.

"Its a huge job," Dorothy Kingery said.

"Its really a family home"

While Williamss untimely passing created an unwanted bookend to his lengthy legal difficulties, his family takes comfort in the final verdict.

"Im so grateful that he did clear his name before he died," Dorothy Kingery said.

At times when the Mercer House is closed to the public, Williamss family continues to gather there and enjoy the magnificent setting and all of its finery. On this past New Years Eve, Dorothy and Susan Kingery joined friends in the dining room to drink champagne from Williamss Baccarat crystal glasses that visitors view during tours.

"Its really a family home," Dorothy Kingery said. "We still love it and enjoy it. I think he knows."

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30 years after death of Jim Williams, his iconic Savannah home is being restored - Savannah Morning News

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) The Wabash Valley experienced heavy rainfall this past weekend.

This may have caused water damage for some.

News 10 talked to Paul Davis Restoration about what to do in the event of an emergency.

It's important to immediately stop wherever the water is coming from.

That might mean tarping off an area.

Make sure your sump pump is working. You may want to have a back-up power supply in place.

Check your insurance policy to see what coverage you have in the event of a flood.Make a list of the items in your home. While it may seem tedious, it will help if you have to file a claim.

General Manager of Paul Davis Restoration, Ken Bovenschen shares why it's important to reduce the damage quickly.

"We can extract a lot more of that standing water and speed up the drying process,Bovenschen said. Once again, what we would normally refer to as mold can start growing in as quick as 24 to 72-hours."

The company says they did not respond to as many calls as they expected this weekend.

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How to handle water damage in your home - WTHITV.com

SILSBEE, Texas Some in the city of Silsbee are hoping to get a helping hand from the crew of one HGTV show looking to revitalize a small town in the US.

Silsbee Economic Development Corporation shared a Facebook post on Monday, inviting the community to be part of the effort to be selected for 'Home Town Takeover.'

"What an awesome way to see some of our dreams come to fruition...from restoring our movie theater, revitalizing downtown, improving parks and beautifying our entire community," the post says. "We are working on a submission video and we want you to be a part of it!"

A news release from HGTV says the selected town will 'witness the rehab of multiple individual family homes and the revitalization of public spaces, such as parks, local diners and recreation centers.'

The town will be part of a six-episode series set to premiere on HGTV in 2021.

Ben and Erin Napier host the show, and say this is a new feat for HGTV.

HGTV has never, ever taken on a whole town renovation and restoration project and were so proud and excited to be leading the team that will get it done. Show us those photos and videos," Erin Napier said. "Tell us what makes your town special and how youd like us to help make it better. You may see us in your town soon.

Silsbee's estimated population as of July 2018 was 6,651.

Silsbee EDC Mission and Values The mission of the EDC is to support economic and community development projects that will improve the business climate, strengthen the economy, create jobs, and enhance the quality of life in the city of Silsbee, Texas.

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Silsbee looking to be part of HGTV's 'Home Town Takeover' - 12newsnow.com KBMT-KJAC

PERRYSBURG, Ohio Over two inches of rain impacted a portion of our area Saturday, leading to residential flooding and water damage for some home owners.

Cousino Restoration in Perrysburg has been dealing with emergency damage situations for decades. Co-owner Michael Cousino said water damage is a problem many homeowners face every year.

"Every 100 homes, there's going to be about two of them homes per 100 that are going to flood a year," he said.

Cousino said the two main problems people face is a failing sump pump or a clogged drain.

A sump pump is a common way to remove water from your home and Cousino said investing in a good one is some of the best insurance you can have, in addition to homeowners insurance. He said people should check on them ahead of heavy rain events.

"I recommend dumping five gallons of water down into the sub-crack," he said. "Just to flush and make sure it keeps flowing."

Cousino suggests that property owners keep an eye out for clogged drains as well.

"I recommend that people make sure that they clean their drains every three years," he said. "Especially if there's a tree growing in line with the drain."

If you wake up to water in your basement and want to clean up yourself, Cousino said the number one thing to know is safety. Since it can be a hazardous environment, wear protective gear like rubber gloves, boots, a body suit, etc.

"A lot of the way that pathogens get into our bodies is they're ingested through our breathing through our nose and as things are dried and cleaned up, they become airborne and we don't want to ingest those," Cousino said.

Cousino said homeowners can handle most minor cleanups and investment in prevention could save you thousands of dollars.

RELATED: First Alert Forecast: Warm start to the week ahead of weekend rain, snow

RELATED: Steady rain floods roads and basements throughout area on Saturday

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How to prevent and treat home water damage after heavy rain, flooding - WTOL

Ranger Michael Marion talks about the history of Baker Island in Acadia National Park while leading a tour. Friends of Acadia has provided funds to help preserve the islands historic structures/FOA, Julia Walker Thomas

A visit to Acadia National Park can take you back to the 19th century if you make the journey out to Baker Island. Home to a lighthouse at the southern entrance to Frenchman Bay, the island was also a backdrop to generations of the Gilly family, which lived on the island for 123 years running. But time has taken a toll on the island's structures, some of which contained hazardous materials.

During the past year the Park Service staff at Acadia began tackling some of the restoration work at Baker Island. Provided with funding raised by Friends of Acadia, the agency was able toassess the presence of hazardous materials, including lead paint, asbestos, and universal waste such as petroleum products and mercury switches. Licensed contractors removed asbestos roof shingles from the oil shed, enabling the park service to repair the leaking roof with cedar shingles and prevent further degradation, according to the friends group.

Asbestos was also found in the keepers house in floor tiles, pipe insulation, and the stove thimble, notes a story in the winter issue of the Friends of Acadia Journal. A treatment or removal plan has not yet been decided.

According to Friends of Acadiam "(T)he historic structures on the island date mostly from the mid- to late 1800s and have been closed to the public due to hazardous materials and conditions. Great strides were made in 2019 by the National Park Service toward protecting the historical integrity of these structures and making them safer for the public to enjoy."

In addition to the funding provided for the restoration work, the friends group also provided $34,242 toward the production of detailed drawings and a conditions assessment report of the lighthouse tower, the keepers house, the oil shed, and the fuel house. That funding in turn leveraged $28,000 in federal contributions from Acadias entrance fees.

The National Park Services Historic Preservation Training Center will be working through February 2020 to document the conditions of the facilities and prepare recommendations for treatment and future uses for each building. The report will serve as the roadmap for future stabilization and restoration.

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Baker Island Restoration Work Helped By Friends Of Acadia - National Parks Traveler

WHEN Christian and Ana Cox found this Georgian townhouse, tucked behind Windsor Castle, in 2010, it was a shadow of its former self. One of three houses that had been clumsily converted into offices for an insurance company, its glorious original features had been stripped out and it had no floors and no roof.

The only original feature was an ornate fanlight above the front door and the mahogany staircase, recalls Christian, who runs a property development and design company. It felt like the bones of a fish, once youve finished eating it. But we fell in love with the Georgian faade and the staircase.

It was only after the couple met the landlord of the nearby 16th-century pub, Two Brewers, who produced pictures and paper cuttings of everything to do with historic Park Street, that they were able to piece together images of the original cornicing, the shade of the mortar and the shape of original bookshelves and cupboards. Scaffolding had been holding the house up for around seven years but was now unsafe.

A few weeks into the refurbishment, we had a message from a member of staff at the castle that the Queen was delighted the scaffolding had come down and her view of Park Street had improved vastly, Christian says. We took that as a joke.

It then took us almost a year to refurbish it and create this nearly 3,000sq ft home. It was a lot of work.

Today the exquisite Grade II-listed, four-bed property is a comfortable home to Ana, Christian and their children, James and Clara. It has been restored to its magnificent origins, with lofty 13ft-ceilings in the hall and lavish living rooms, and has been beautifully adapted to modern living. All the bathrooms, and the tiled living areas on the lower-ground floor, have underfloor heating and theres air-conditioning in the splendid master bedroom, with its enormous dressing area (once a separate room), outdoor terrace and elegant en-suite bathroom. At the back of the house, an incredible double-height glass atrium has been added, with sliding doors leading into a lush and leafy landscaped garden.

Then in 2012, when the Coxes received an answerphone message, from the castle to inform the couple that they were to receive an award from the Royal family for the beautiful home they had recreated, they thought it was a prank.

I told my wife about it, but deleted the voicemail, Christian recalls. I thought it was a friend playing a joke.

But 12 days later, a lovely chap from the 2012 Windsor Facelift came to the house concerned we hadnt RSVPd and explained we were receiving an award for works in improving Park Street.

Two days later the Coxes received the award from Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. The photo now sits among a gallery of family pictures in their hallway. But it is the recreation of this glorious house that continues to give them the greatest pleasure a home which sagely nods to the past but has all the facilities desirable for contemporary living.

The grand living room boasts original working fireplaces, engineered oak floors, exquisitely recreated coving, and enormous sash windows to front and rear. There are two vast mirrors one of which craftily conceals the television and a grand piano.

Huge sash windows at the front overlook the stables block at the back of Windsor Castle where the Coxes have often seen Prince Philips carriage horses being exercised.

The kitchen has large, slabbed porcelain floor tiles, an island and classic Corian work surfaces.

In the dining room, within the vast glass atrium, a 19ft x 5ft bespoke picture, created on perspex, depicts family and friends in front of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona the couple once lived in the city for six months.

From the top of the atrium, a Bocci pendant light-fitting, with hand-blown glass globes, adds sparkle and drama.

A nearby snug or playroom features a panel of wallpaper showing an 1850s map of Windsor, while another wall boasts an historic map of Notting Hill, another former home for the couple.

On the landing to the top floor, there are two further bedrooms, one with expansive views of the nearby Great Park, and a study.

A Holloways of Ludlow Swan chandelier holds pride of place, while a galleried family bathroom has a remote-controlled velux skylight, which is a constant delight to the children. The greatest challenge in creating this outstanding family home was the sheer amount of dirt we had to remove from the garden says Christian, as some 300 tonnes of mortar, rubble and dirt were taken out to restore it to its former level. He happily admits, however, that he left much of the day-to-day negotiations with builders down to his wife.

Ana runs the builders, he says. Im far too easy going, Im told. Im happy to leave early to the pub and tell them to get on with it.

The couple is selling with great reluctance and because they now have a third child on the way. It has been wonderful here, but it is a townhouse, Ana says.

I feel with a larger family we need a different kind of home. But it will be a wrench to leave this one.

Park Street is on the market for 2.95million, struttandparker.com

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Property: How the restoration of one Windsor home met with a Royal seal of approval - Metro Newspaper UK

We all get the reminders that construction is happening near our homes, etc. or do we? Its not until you cant walk down your sidewalk that you realize that things are happening. Here is an official run-down from the District Department of Transportation on which sidewalks to need to look out for in the next couple of weeks:

Citywide Pavement Restoration projects in Ward 6:

Citywide Sidewalk Restoration projects in Ward 6:

In addition to this construction in our area, DDOT will be changing the signange on Interstate 395, so if you are a late-hours commuter, here is some information about that:

The following lane and shoulder closures will be in place nightly from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Monday, January 13, 2020 through Friday January 17,2020, weather permitting:

I-395/I-695 Southbound/Westbound

I-395/I-695 Northbound/Eastbound

The following lane and shoulder closures will be in place daily from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday, January 13, 2020 through Friday, January 17, 2020, weather permitting:

I-395/I-695 Southbound/Westbound

I-395/I-695 Northbound/Eastbound

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Heads-Up: DDOT construction coming to a sidewalk near you | The Hill is Home - The Hillishome

Nutria, also known as coypu or swamp rats, are large rodents that live in areas with lots of freshwater.

These mammals are native to South America and were introduced into the United States between 1899 and 1930 through the fur industry, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Nutria are now considered a nuisance in the U.S. and other parts of the world where their populations have grown and their presence has disrupted the native ecosystem.

Nutria (Myocastor coypus) are relatively big rodents that grow to between 17 and 25 inches long (43 to 64 centimeters) from head to rump, which is about the same size as a raccoon. Their tail adds another 10 to 16 inches (25 to 41 cm) and the animals weigh between 15 and 22 pounds (7 to 10 kilograms), according to National Geographic. Although they're about the size of a raccoon, nutria look more like a cross between a small beaver and a giant rat, with two large, orange front teeth and long, rounded tails.

Nutria breed year-round and can have up to three litters a year with between two and 13 offspring per litter, allowing their populations to rapidly grow, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). These mammals become sexually mature as early as 4 months of age, and females can breed again about 1 to 2 days after giving birth, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). After a gestation period of about 4 months, nutria pups will nurse for about 7 to 8 weeks and stay with their mom for around 10 weeks, but pups can also survive on their own when they're as young as 5 days old.

Nutria are aquatic creatures and prefer freshwater to saltwater. They live in burrows connected by tunnels that they dig near rivers, canals, lakes or in wetlands, according to National Geographic.

These animals live in groups that typically consist of two to 13 individuals, according to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology's Animal Diversity Web. The group often includes related adult females, their offspring and a single adult male. Young adult males are usually solitary, but don't often wander far from where they were born. Males have a home range of about 14 acres, while females stay even closer to home, keeping within about a 6-acre radius.

It's estimated that up to 80% of nutria don't survive their first year, and those that do survive, only live for two or three years, according to FWS. However, nutria in captivity may live up to about 12 years, according to Oregon State University.

Nutria have a voracious appetite for wetland plants and will chow down an entire plant roots, bark and all, according to Animal Diversity Web. The furry rodents will occasionally eat small invertebrates such as insects and snails, according to FWS. But nutria aren't considered picky eaters as they're often caught eating crops such as rice, sugarcane and corn.

Nutria are native to the marshes and coastal lakes in Bolivia and Southern Brazil, according to Columbia University. Their populations in those locations are kept in check by the seasonal drought-flood cycles. Periods of drought decimate their population, but thanks to their rapid reproduction rate, the nutria are able to recover during the flooding season.

In the 1800s, fur traders brought nutria to the U.S. so that the animals could be easily harvested for their thick and soft undercoat of fur. But when the fur market collapsed in the mid 1900s, many nutria farmers couldn't afford to keep their animals and released them into the wild.

The nutria not only survived, but thrived in their non-native homes. Today, nutria populations are found across the U.S., primarily in the coastal states, according to FWS. They're also an invasive species in Europe, Asia and Africa due to fur-farm escapees, according to the Global Invasive Species Database.

Nutria are now considered one of the most ecologically harmful invasive species on the planet.

"As an exotic invasive species in our North America wetlands, they can be especially destructive since plant species did not evolve with this forager," said Thomas Gehring, a professor of ecology and biology at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Nutria eat about 25% of their body weight each day in plants and their roots, wreaking havoc on the native ecosystem. Because the animals eat the entire plant, the vegetation are less likely to grow back, according to National Geographic. The removal of the root systems destabilizes the soil around the water, which causes it to quickly erode and become open water.

The burrowing habits of nutria also damages flood-control levees that protect low lying areas and water retaining levees used in agriculture, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Damage Management extension. Their activity can cause such extensive damage that the levees need to be completely reconstructed. The destructive creatures also burrow into the flotation supports under boat docks and wharves, underneath building foundations, roads, streams and dams, which can weaken these structures and cause them to lean, sink and collapse.

As mentioned, nutria will dine on numerous agricultural crops, such as rice, corn, wheat and more. They've also been known to gorge on home vegetable gardens and freshly planted grass.

Not only are invasive nutria catastrophic for the environment, but they also play host to several diseases and parasites including tuberculosis, tapeworm, liver flukes and nematodes. It can be a significant health hazard for people and animals to drink or swim in water contaminated by nutria feces and urine, according to FWS.

Because nutria are such a prolific and resilient species, controlling their populations to curb further environmental damage is a significant challenge. Environmental groups around the U.S. have tried a range of tactics, with varying success.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has found that excluding nutria from their preferred environments to be the most effective approach. The agency recommends building 3-foot (91-cm) wire fences buried at least 6 inches (15 cm) underground around gardens and lawns, putting electric wire fences around vegetation, or constructing sheet metal shields around wood structures to prevent nutria from gnawing on them.

But other agencies and experts think a more offensive approach is better. "The only effective means we have is trapping and/or shooting nutria," Gehring said. "But that takes a concerted and sustained effort."

Related: Swamp Rats & Baby Dolphins! How Hurricanes Impact Animals

State agencies from Maryland, Virginia and Delaware have partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and FWS to eradicate local nutria populations. The groups are working with public and private landowners to monitor the animals' habitats, so that they can set traps and humanely euthanize the mammals, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Some groups also use dogs to detect, track and trap nutria to prevent them from re-establishing their populations in locations where they had been removed, Gehring said.

Continuous monitoring and removal of nutria is especially important as global warming increases the number of potential nutria habitats in North America, according to a 2019 study published in The Journal of Wildlife Management.

In many of the places involved with containment and eradication of nutria, groups are working to rebuild the ecosystem that the animals damaged or destroyed. In some instances, a wetland area can recover and rebuild itself on its own, but oftentimes active restoration efforts, such as planting native plants and replenishing the soil, are required to help rebuild the ecosystem, Gehring said.

It just takes a single, pregnant female to quickly repopulate an area from which nutria were previously eradicated. So, in order to keep restoration efforts moving forward, it is important that any sightings of the creatures be reported to state and federal wildlife agencies, even in places where the animals are thought to be completely absent.

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Nutria: The Invasive Rodents of Unusual Size - Livescience.com

BARRIE -- Feces and human waste is floating in basements of several Innisfil homes this weekend.

The Town of Innisfil blames significant rainfall, and the frozen ground for causing a strain on the water treatment system; resulting in wastewater flowing back in neighbouring homes on St. John's Road and 6th line.

Carol Griffith's family spent the weekend cleaning the mess. "This is unacceptable," says Griffith. "Twenty-two years, never a problem."

Restoration crews were in Griffith's home on Monday, trying to remove furniture, carpet and appliances damaged in the mess; more than 48 hours after wastewater started pouring from toilets, showers and sinks.

Walter Malcolm, president of InnServices, says crews were quick to respond.

"We're sympathetic to the residents. This was a tragic event that happened." Malcolm says 65 millimetres of rain fell over the weekend. "This is an extreme climate change weather event that occurred... It was a huge downpour of water that came down at one time."

But Griffith isn't buying the town's response.

"They told me straight out on the phone, the gentleman, that the plant itself overflowed and flooded out," she says.

Her family's basement was submerged in sewage for hours. Family photos and valuables were soiled and lost.

"The dirt and the crap and whatever it all is, the toilet paper; it's all disgusting," says Melanie Pugh of Bristol Restoration.

Mitch Schaub of PuroClean worked alongside a crew of a dozen cleaning floors and walls and removing damaged property in several homes.

"At the bottom step, stairs going down into the basement, that's how high it was, and it was sewage," he explains.

Residents say sump pumps seized up, and furnaces stopped working. They expect hundreds of thousands of dollars in claims and have been told by insurance companies future claims likely won't be covered.

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'This is unacceptable': Basements flooded with sewage and wastewater - CTV News

Following the high-profile renovations of The Secretariat and Tourist Burma Building last year, the latest colonial-era structure to receive another refurbishment is the former Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise office building on the Merchant Road as National Library Myanmar.

In 2016, then-President U Htin Kyaw approved the invocation of Yangon Heritage Trust (YHT) to use the four-storey building as the National Library located in Yankin Township was away from downtown.

The building was left vacant after the countrys administrative seat was moved from Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw in 2006. It had been patched up here and there following the ravages of Cyclone Nargis in 2008.

Daw Moe Moe Lwin, director of conservation at YHT, said I had worked in its first maintenance project as a secretary of the Association of Myanmar Architects back in 2011. The attic and the roof of the building were damaged; the original architectural works need to be preserved so the maintenance team must follow the blueprints precisely.

When the official statement from the President Office has repurposed it as a library, the buildings overhaul restoration began in 2017. The Ministry of Construction handled the restoration and YHT served as an advisory body.

The books will be kept on the ground floor. The upper floors will be used as multipurpose halls for public access, according to the director.

The main challenge lies in fireproofing the building. Since there are many books and ancient scripts, we cant use water to kill the fire. So, we had to install systems to employ gas as a fire extinguisher. The librarys functions will be digitised and therefore we set up digital centres, says Daw Moe Moe.

The building has served different purposes throughout the century. It was constructed in 1908 as an office for the Scottish trading firm Finlay, Fleming & Co. and later became the headquarters of Burmah Oil.

After World War II, it shared premises with a nursing home, called San Pya Clinic. Burmah Oil was nationalised in 1963 and eventually became Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise.

Likewise, Myanmars National Library has had many homes since independence.

It was originally called Bernard Free Library, after Sir Charles Edward Bernard who founded it as the first free public library in 1883. It was located at what is now called No 1 Basic Education High School, Latha Township.

In 1952 the government moved it to the Jubilee Hall on the Shwedagon Pagoda Road and reopened it as the State Library under the then Ministry of Culture. It had not been called the National Library until 1964.

Some years later it was moved, again, to Pansodan Street and then to Yangon City Hall. After moving twice more, the books were temporarily kept in a building in Tamwe Township until it was damaged by Cyclone Nargis in 2008. In October that year, the books were moved to the current location in Yankin.

The National Library is one of the two research libraries in Yangon (the other is Yangon University Library), housing more than 600,000 books, periodicals, handwritten manuscripts of the countrys famous writers and ancient texts. Its original collection was nearly 1 million and some of them are now at the National Library (Nay Pyi Taw).

The restoration of the building was finished late 2019. The books are now being recorded and transported to the new location. The library is expected to open in April 2020. This time, for every citizen, I hope the National Library finds its forever home.

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National Library finally finds forever home? - MYANMORE Yangon