Community, school seek funding to fix crumbling portico

TICONDEROGA | There was a time, before school houses came to resemble shoeboxes, that academic architecture exuded elegance, none more so that the Ticonderoga High School, whose soaring spire and grand Corinthian columns are a particular point of pride to Ti alums. Sitting on high ground at the northern end of Lake George, the school's polygonal copper cupola is visible from multiple points through the valley which, when construction began in 1928 was no doubt the point. But the school's grand portico, which has been a concern for years, became a safety issue two years ago. It picked a bad time to crumble, right in the midst of a central-school budget crisis. Since then, it's been cordoned off and netted for safety, as undignified and unsightly as a duchess with her arm in a sling. Armed with a lot of resolve, but not a lot of cash, the school system, and its supporters are trying to change that. The portico has been patched before, and not always well, which is perhaps contributing to the problem. Because the school is on the National Historic Register, any future work must adhere to strict preservation standards, significantly increasing the cost. "It's not as easy as just putting up plaster," said Interim Ticonderoga Superintendent Cynthia Ford-Johnston. When last checked in 2015, a comprehensive repair was estimated to cost $488,000, but the school has asked the architect to revise those numbers to reflect updated costs, said Ford-Johnston. That's beyond the scope of the routine maintenance budget, and the system has no upcoming capital building projects in which portico repairs could be lumped. The system has included the portico in past capital-improvement loans, but those funds were depleted before the portico could be addressed. Because of its place on the Historical Register, however, Ford-Johnston said it could be eligible for historic preservation grants. That requires matching funds, and the school and Ticonderoga boosters and alumni are soliciting donations. Assisting the effort was the recent Ticonderoga alumni extravaganza, where Ti grads from across the country toured the high school. The tour included the portico, but it also included the brilliantly restored auditorium, showing what good preservation looks like. "I think it sparked a fire," said Bob Dedrick, board member and organizer of the extravaganza. There is some urgency for contributions, because, according to the school's website, "If more time lapses, the portico may face replacement instead of repairs and renovation." For those who want to contribute, tax-deductible donations may be made to Ticonderoga Central School District "Portico Fund" 5 Calkins Place, Ticonderoga, New York 12883.

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Community, school seek funding to fix crumbling portico

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