School of Masonry exceeds goal for capital fundraiser

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Masonry Skills being taught at the Maine School of Masonry. Photo credit: Ramona du Houx

Article in the Daily Bulldog

By Ramona du Houx

On Nov. 13, the Maine School of Masonry received a $5,000 grant from The Sugarloaf Charitable Trust for their capital campaign to help expand the Historic Restoration and Preservation facilities at the school.

“We’d like to thank the Sugarloaf Charitable Trust for their generous grant. Our work converting part of the school to accommodate our restoration courses can now be completed,” said Stephen Mitchell, president of the MSM. “We live in such a blessed community. I’d like to thank everyone who stepped up to the plate and donated. It’s humbling. We’re looking forward to teaching more students in the art of historic restoration and preservation.”

With the expansion MSM will now be able to enroll more students into the Historic Renovation and Preservation courses in the coming years. Anyone interested should contact the school now at 639-2392 or visit their website at masonryschool.org as interest in these classes is high.

With individuals, non-profits and business giving generously MSM raised $9,100 and with the value of the materials donated surpassed their goal of $8,000.

“Maine students deserve the best, and having a classroom that meets their needs for the renovation and preservation programs is vital to the mission of the Maine School of Masonry, and our community. After 12 years we’ve expanded in a direction that is unique—preserving our National Heritage, while giving students opportunities for high paying life-long professions.”

The classes take the students on site to practice what they have learned in the newly expanded facilities in Avon. The buildings that the students work on are listed as National Historic Landmarks and the school has special permission to renovate these historic treasures.

MSM is the only school to offer courses of this kind in America.

“Seeing students on site at the Kennebec Arsenal in Augusta, and Fort Knox near Prospect makes me so proud knowing they’re keeping our heritage alive,” said Mitchell. “It’s a dream come true for me.”

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On site at the Kennebec Arsenal pointing the side of the Baracks