THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 30, 1994 TAG: 9411290108
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Restoration of the grand dame of oceanfront cottages is nearly complete.
Once work is finished, the Dewitt Cottage at 12th Street will become the home of the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Center. The historic structure will likely open to the public in the spring, said Fletcher Bryant, president of the Back Bay Wildfowl Guild. It also will mark the 100th anniversary of the building.
``The exterior is finished. We have the electrical wiring done and temporary lights hung,'' said Bryant. ``Princess Anne Garden Club has completed the garden and landscaping. The upstairs area has been carpeted. The interior trim has yet to be done. That's the last part.''
The refurbished house, built in 1895 by B.P. Holland, the first mayor of Virginia Beach, will feature a carving shed at the front entrance and will look like an old hunting lodge. Carvings of birds in flight, a history of the beach, including its hunting history, will be included among the interior exhibits.
A model boat-building display will be located in the shed, the structure closest to Atlantic Avenue. The shed has received a cedar-siding exterior and new windows. A mulched flower bed extends along the inside of the treated-wood picket fence around the perimeter of the yard. Back Bay Wildfowl Guild will make its home in the upstairs portion of the center.
The restoration has been a cooperative effort between the city, the Virginia Beach Foundation and the Back Bay Wildlife Guild, Fentress said.
John Baillio, board member of the Virginia Beach Foundation, said his group's work will conclude when the restored facility is turned over to the city and the wildfowl guild.
``We still have to put down carpet in some areas and build and install display cases for museum exhibits,'' Baillio said.
``Wildfowl carvings are an art form indigenous to this region and it's reassuring to see them have a building like this to be displayed.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
After renovation, the historic Dewitt Cottage will become the home
of the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Center.
Jim Wallfred hangs a door on the cottage, which is expected to open
to the public this spring on the 100th anniversary of the building.
by CNB