BRAM Announces New Wing Construction

With the award of a contract to Wright Construction of Mt Holly, the Black River Academy Museum (BRAM) Executive Board announced that construction on the three-story, ADA-compliant, elevator tower would begin in late March or early April.

According to Anita Alic, chairperson of the BRAM capitol fund raising committee, “We’re very excited that this concept that BRAM has envisioned for so long will at last be translated into reality.  Providing an ADA-compliant means of accessing all the floors of the museum will enable everyone to take advantage of the many historic treasures, exhibits, and classes offered by BRAM.”

Alic noted that BRAM had raised over 75% of its fund-raising for the structure and was actively working on completing its funding needs.  She noted, “We really appreciate the warm support we’ve received from the community and public at large.  We also hope that we will raise the remaining portion of our funding by this summer.  I really want to thank everyone who has contributed to this project.”

Phase 1 of the project will consist of erecting the three story elevator tower, attached to the rear of the building so as not to distract from the historic profile of the original structure.  This phase will also include the construction of fire stairs in the new tower.

Alic indicated that both the board and its architect had taken "great care to ensure that the new elevator tower did not adversely impact the general profile of the historic BRAM structure".  BRAM is listed by the U.S. Department of the Interior on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The second phase of the project will see the installation of the elevator itself.

Contributions to this project may be sent to BRAM at P.O. Box 73; Ludlow, VT 05149.  Additional information is available at the BRAM web site, www.bramvt.org, or by calling .