By J.R. Williams -- jrwilliams@nvdaily.com
WINCHESTER -- With the city's blessing in hand, Celebrating Patsy Cline Inc. is moving forward with plans to transform the singer's former home into a museum.
Big plans are in order. Vacant since June, 608 S. Kent St. has morphed into a different house since Cline lived there between 1948 and 1957.
A wall in the living room was removed, a set of back stairs to additional bedrooms was added, and what used to be a porch is now the kitchen. But that won't do, said Celebrating Patsy Cline's president, Judy Sue Huyett-Kempf.
The organization hopes to undo much of what time has done to the home since it was built in 1892, and is rebooting fundraising efforts to make it happen.
"We want it as authentic as possible," she said. "The next step is to get it back as far as we can. The bones are here."
Guests to the museum will walk into a day in Patsy's young life, she said. With help from black-and-white photographs furnished by Charles A. Dick, Cline's widower, the organization plans to match the furniture and find a suitable replacement for the original floral wallpaper, which is still visible in some places.
"[Cline's family] didn't have much money," Dick said from his Nashville home. "The furniture was something you would find at an estate sale."
Dick, who was in town several weeks ago to consult with the group, said he supports the renovations.
"I think all their ideas are good. I'd like to see it there," he said.
Visitors will be guided through the home, but many of Cline's belongings the organization has acquired will not be on regular display for security reasons, Huyett-Kempf said. Certain items will be brought to the home for special events only.
The next several months will be devoted in part to creating a marketing package for potential donors, said Ernie Ryles, a Celebrating Patsy Cline board member.
Most recently, the organization announced it will sell bricks for a reconstructed sidewalk in front of the home. One name on a brick costs $100. For $150, up to two names and a star -- representing Cline's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -- will be displayed.
One hundred percent of donated funds from private donors and the brick campaign will go toward renovations, Ryles said.
Work will begin dependent on fundraising success, said Scott Andries, the group's project manager for the renovation.
"I don't think we can over-renovate, because you'll destroy the historic significance of the house," he said. Some structural improvements are needed, including reworked electrical wiring, he said.
The organization only recently shifted its focus to renovating the home after putting the brakes on a much larger project at the Loudoun Street Pedestrian Mall. The group still holds a lease there.
"It became clearer and clearer to us that people wanted us to own a building," Ryles said. The organization has owned the Kent Street home for about five years.
"We were trying to do some big things, but I think it's time for the past to be the past," he said.
Organization officials have been in talks with contractors and some investors, but it's too soon for finalized construction plans or to set an opening date, Ryles said.
"When we give that answer, we want to make sure we're on target," he said. "In the time I've been on the board, we're in the best position now to make something happen.
"Our chances are the best ever. I feel certain about that."
WINCHESTER -- With the city's blessing in hand, Celebrating Patsy Cline Inc. is moving forward with plans to transform the singer's former home into a museum.
Big plans are in order. Vacant since June, 608 S. Kent St. has morphed into a different house since Cline lived there between 1948 and 1957.
A wall in the living room was removed, a set of back stairs to additional bedrooms was added, and what used to be a porch is now the kitchen. But that won't do, said Celebrating Patsy Cline's president, Judy Sue Huyett-Kempf.
The organization hopes to undo much of what time has done to the home since it was built in 1892, and is rebooting fundraising efforts to make it happen.
"We want it as authentic as possible," she said. "The next step is to get it back as far as we can. The bones are here."
Guests to the museum will walk into a day in Patsy's young life, she said. With help from black-and-white photographs furnished by Charles A. Dick, Cline's widower, the organization plans to match the furniture and find a suitable replacement for the original floral wallpaper, which is still visible in some places.
"[Cline's family] didn't have much money," Dick said from his Nashville home. "The furniture was something you would find at an estate sale."
Dick, who was in town several weeks ago to consult with the group, said he supports the renovations.
"I think all their ideas are good. I'd like to see it there," he said.
Visitors will be guided through the home, but many of Cline's belongings the organization has acquired will not be on regular display for security reasons, Huyett-Kempf said. Certain items will be brought to the home for special events only.
The next several months will be devoted in part to creating a marketing package for potential donors, said Ernie Ryles, a Celebrating Patsy Cline board member.
Most recently, the organization announced it will sell bricks for a reconstructed sidewalk in front of the home. One name on a brick costs $100. For $150, up to two names and a star -- representing Cline's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -- will be displayed.
One hundred percent of donated funds from private donors and the brick campaign will go toward renovations, Ryles said.
Work will begin dependent on fundraising success, said Scott Andries, the group's project manager for the renovation.
"I don't think we can over-renovate, because you'll destroy the historic significance of the house," he said. Some structural improvements are needed, including reworked electrical wiring, he said.
The organization only recently shifted its focus to renovating the home after putting the brakes on a much larger project at the Loudoun Street Pedestrian Mall. The group still holds a lease there.
"It became clearer and clearer to us that people wanted us to own a building," Ryles said. The organization has owned the Kent Street home for about five years.
"We were trying to do some big things, but I think it's time for the past to be the past," he said.
Organization officials have been in talks with contractors and some investors, but it's too soon for finalized construction plans or to set an opening date, Ryles said.
"When we give that answer, we want to make sure we're on target," he said. "In the time I've been on the board, we're in the best position now to make something happen.
"Our chances are the best ever. I feel certain about that."
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