The main house of the Grimm-Schultz Farmstead was started by Henry Grimm for his wife, Caroline Graff, and family in 1875, although the highest central lintel notes 1880 as the year completed. The property is located one-half mile southwest of the former railroad town of Volland, Kansas, and 8 miles southwest of Alma, Kansas.
In 2020, The Farmstead was added to the National Register of Historic Places as an historic district.
RESTORATION CONTINUES...
Initiated in 2020, the overall Grimm-Schultz Farmstead restoration plan was to begin with the Main House in Phase 1 to create a comfortable living space as well as a community resource. While we continue to maintain and refine the Main House, we have moved to the outbuildings within the historic district.
Phase 2 will restore and renovate the 4 outbuildings when funds are available to extend the life and purpose of these structures. In each outbuilding, there would be specific issues to address that would require architectural and construction consultation. The first objective was to stabilize any deterioration of the stone structure.
This involves cleaning, analysis, stone insertion, patching, etc. by expertly trained stonemasons using traditional techniques and materials. The second consideration would be to retain the building's purpose. The might involve some demolition of non-original additions, an intensive cleaning of the exterior and interior, and replacement of like materials.
In 2023, we worked on the Wash House and Corn Crib, fronted by the unique stone Dog House. Below are some simple before and after photos. We also reroofed a large portion of the steel roof over the Wash House in late 2023. (Admittedly, the blue skies in July really add some zest!)
In 2024, we are addressing the walkways and patio zone between the Pole Barn and the Main House on the north side. We envision an open area for resting in the afternoon shade. This area also hold a special stone feature dubbed the Moon Gate.
We are beginning the dismantling of the old cistern to hold rainwater, the surrounding deck area, and reusing existing stone that is stable. Our plan is to remove the modern concrete, to harvest the good stone for reuse on the property, and to create a functional composite wood deck.
These projects all take time in planning, financing, and execution. Step by step, stone by stone.
BEFORE Wash House
AFTER Wash House
BEFORE Corn Crib
AFTER Corn Crib