In an age of strip malls and pre-planned, cookie-cutter communities, the relics of centuries past have become scarcer and scarcer. Grooms Tavern in Clifton Park, however, has survived generations, dating back to the early 1800s, and remains a physical reminder of the town’s humble beginnings.
As the town has grown exponentially, the tavern has deteriorated. Fittingly, it was the community it helped define that worked to restore it to its former stature.
Saturday, April 14, marked Grooms Tavern’s grand reopening, an event attended by local residents, town officials and community supporters. Patrons reflected on the conscientious restoration work done on the once-dilapidated structure while browsing various period pieces on loan from the Van Vranken family and Doris Cole.
Throughout the day, visitors also had the opportunity to observe craft-making exhibitions, such as chair caning, and took in some of the tavern’s history as described by town historian John Scherer.
According to Scherer, town board meetings were held at Grooms Tavern from 1828 until around 1868. The tavern later served as a general store from about 1880 through 1970.
A lot of people around the area still remember coming here, said Scherer.
Scherer went on to express a sense of pride in what Grooms Tavern has become today, commenting, `We’ll be using it as a town cultural and historical center, where groups again will meet. It will be a vibrant building.`
The town has made a great effort to refurbish one of its oldest landmarks. Since purchasing the structure in 1999 for $150,000, roughly $600,000 of the town’s fund balance has been invested into improving Grooms Tavern.
Included in that $600,000, said town Administrator Mike Shahan, `The town recently allocated $75,000, which was matched by Assemblyman (Bob) Reilley (D-Colonie). So, we have $150,000 still left to finish off improvements to Grooms Tavern.`
The town has also received another $140,000 or so in various state grants and private donations.
`Like any other project, we do everything we can to leverage grant opportunities and private donations, which we’ve done,` said Superintendent Philip Barrett. `We have spent some surplus funds here but a lot of money has been raised to minimize the impact on tax payers as much as possible.`
Roughly $35,000, for example, has been raised by the nonprofit group, The Friends of Historic Grooms Tavern, which was founded when the town purchased the building. Primarily, the group handles grant applications but has compiled a donation mailing list of about 100 people. The Friends will also be holding a planning session in the near future to consider some other possible renovations to the property, which includes, the Tavern’s upstairs, an outhouse and adjacent blacksmith shop.
`I couldn’t be more proud of the town personnel and volunteers that have come together to achieve what you see here today,` said Barrett.
The town has made a conscious effort to involve community workers in restoring the building. According to Shahan, with the exception of the contracting out of electrical work, town employees from buildings and grounds undertook the restoration labor.
Among other things, workers have replaced all existing cabling and electrical wiring, connected the barn to the tavern to be used as a meeting room, refinished the walls, ceilings and cabinets, and generally brought life back to the tavern, paying close attention to detail. The structure has also been brought up to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards with handicap access as well as a new bathroom facility.
`It will really look much nicer when the sidewalk is down and the grass and appropriate shrubbery is planted,` said Shahan of the currently unfinished outside premises.
For Myla Kramer, director of parks, recreation and community affairs, the results have been well worth the effort. According to Kramer, in addition to holding an upcoming town board meeting for the first time in more than 100 years, Grooms Tavern will host numerous events and activities.
`One of our summer programs will be here, a jewelry making class,` said Kramer. `The back room is a perfect location to host any type of class but will hold art shows, lectures and other types of historically minded classes.`
Kramer went on to say that talks with Borders Books are being conducted with the hope of beginning a monthly author showcase.
`It’s exciting to be a part of this,` said Barrett. `This tavern is a direct link to the town’s past. To think back over the last seven years and all of the hard work that’s gone into the facility gives the board and myself a great sense of pride.“