10/08/2026
Raising the Roofs! — Phase One Complete, and Looking Ahead
The Sanford Historical Society is proud to announce that Phase One of our two year “Raising the Roofs!” initiative is officially complete. Hale Construction has finished the first round of work on the Felix School House and the Clare Z. Bailey Memorial Chapel, marking a major milestone in our effort to protect and preserve the historic buildings that define the Sanford Centennial Museum campus.
Photos from the project show the remarkable progress made over the past weeks. The donated ice and water protector has now been fully incorporated into both roofs, providing long lasting protection and helping us stretch every dollar entrusted to us. Combined with special pricing from ABC Supply Company, this phase reflects the extraordinary generosity of our community partners.
This work was made possible through a blend of dedicated local support: Give Local Midland contributions, Lee, Hope, and Lincoln TOWN (Treasure Our Wonderful Neighborhoods) Grants through the Midland Area Community Foundation, Founders Day donations, and finally, spendable MACF funds that allowed us to cover the remaining balance. Every gift—large or small—helped bring Phase One to completion.
Project Overview
This multi year project focuses on replacing aging roofing systems across several historic buildings on the museum grounds. The first phase centered on the chapel and schoolhouse, where the old roofs were removed and replaced with high performance composite cedar shake shingles. These shingles replicate the look of traditional hand split cedar while offering superior durability, fire resistance, and a 50 year limited warranty—a major advantage for long term preservation.
Material Specifications
The selected composite cedar shake shingles provide:
• Authentic cedar appearance with deep grain and realistic texture
• 50 year limited warranty for long term performance
• Class A fire rating and Class 4 impact resistance—ideal for Michigan weather
• Lightweight construction to reduce structural load
• Resistance to rot, insects, moss, and moisture
Scope of Work Completed in Phase One
• Full inspection of roof decking and structural components
• Safe removal and disposal of old roofing materials
• Installation of modern underlayment, flashing, and ventilation
• Placement of composite cedar shake shingles in historically appropriate courses
• Final inspection to ensure compliance with manufacturer standards
Required Expertise
This project relies on contractors experienced in:
• Composite shake systems
• Historic building preservation
• Michigan building codes
• Coordinating work on active museum grounds
Project Benefits
• Preserves historic character while upgrading to modern, long lasting materials
• Reduces long term maintenance costs
• Enhances weather protection for buildings and artifacts
• Provides a multi decade roofing solution backed by warranty
Phase One Costs & What Comes Next
This year’s completed work totaled approximately:
• $20,000 for the Church
• $14,000 for the School Total: $34,000 for 2026
Looking ahead, the next phases depend entirely on fundraising and grant support. Estimated costs for upcoming buildings:
Projected 2027 Work
• Depot — approximately $30,000 (Prices continue to rise, which is not in our favor.)
Projected 2028 Work
• Townhall — approximately $14,000
• Log Cabin — approximately $12,000 With rising material costs, these numbers may increase by 30% or more over the next two years.
We would love to complete more than the Depot next year, but our progress depends on how much support we can gather. Every donation moves us closer to preserving these beloved structures.
We truly cannot thank our supporters enough. This project is only possible because of you. Together, we are preserving Sanford’s history—one roof at a time.
Ways to Donate
Mail: SHS, PO Box 243, Sanford MI 48657
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5GH5LPVGL6XSQ
Photos provided by Belinda Lyons
