NEWBURYPORT — Serving as both a family home and a space for hundreds of kids each year to explore their creative side, Theater in the Open is in the midst of an $80,000 fundraising effort as it looks to finish restoring its building to its former glory.
With tarps along the roof and panels of wood exposed, the evidence of the work done so far at what is known as the Gatekeeper’s House – located at 1 Spring Lane close to Maudslay State Park – is clear to see.
“We are replacing and restoring the entire envelope of the building,” Artistic Director Edward “Teddy” Speck said.
He explained that restoration began in 2017 after being named curator of the building for the next 30 years by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
“We’ve already spent $80,000 on upgrading the electrical and plumbing systems, another $40,000 on repairing parts of the house that had fallen apart,” Speck said.
Now they are in the final stages of the restoration, a $160,000 effort with $80,000 coming in a grant from the Mass Cultural Council and Mass Development through a program called the Cultural Facilities Fund. Theater in the Open’s fundraising will provide the other half.
“We’ve already raised $40,000 of our $80,000 match, and this summer we’re trying to raise the other $40,000 to complete the restoration,” Speck said.
He said current work includes replacing failing wooden structures such as a gutter leaking into the home, something especially important to him as he lives there year-round with his family.
“Our family lives upstairs and the ground floor is our headquarters, with our office and rehearsal area. Our storage for the theater is in the basement. So everything kind of emanates from this little campus on the edge of the woods,” Speck said, adding that the restoration should be done by the end of fall.
Speaking about how folks could support the fundraising, he said they can donate online or give in-person cash donations.
“We have a Raise the Roof fundraiser where people can get their name on one of the paving stones on our walkway or put a star on our tent. We have fun ways of being part of the history of this building,” Speck said.
He said they also have an event Aug. 22 at the Sunset Club on Plum Island.
Asked if there was a deadline to raise the money, Speck said he is aiming for mid-October.
“When we have our Maudslay is Haunted fundraiser in Maudslay State Park, that’ll be the deadline,” Speck said.
Mayor Sean Reardon said he is excited about the project, praising Speck’s leadership and calling himself a big Theater in the Open fan.
“I’m thrilled it’s moving forward. Newburyport’s cultural scene is the heartbeat for the region,” Reardon said.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.