Third Floor Gutted!

Progress Continues on the Mithoff

 

     There are definite changes going on inside the Mithoff.  The third floor is now completely gutted.  There is nothing left but the framework.  Although it doesn't mean much to a lot of us, to my husband, Brad Hutchinson, these are the "bones" of the old building.  Exposing this structure will give him the vision he needs to determine where he goes from here.  In order to progress with the changes he needs to make to bring life back to the Mithoff, this part of the renovation process is crucial. 

 

     I would love to see this building restored back into an old hotel again.  I know I'm not the only one that can picture the old gas lamps, the elegant old parlors and the brilliantly-lighted dining hall.  But those days are long gone, and when she is restored she will be of use again.  There will be activity in her halls once again, and she will be part of what I hope will be a vibrant and thriving downtown again.  While it saddens me that to see so much of the old hotel demolished, I know that it is for the best.  When we are done, we will, all of us, be a part of the hotel's continuing history.  One I hope will continue on for another hundred years or more.  

 

Looking up the second floor flight of stairs to the third floor.

 

Second floor stair case.

 

Back set of stairs going to the second floor.  This divides the oldest section of the hotel with the newest additions.

 

More salvage sinks!

 

 

 

Wiring pulled from the building

 

 

This room overlooks the additions built onto the back of the building.

 

 

Such a different look with the old plaster gone.  

 

You can see how opening up the rooms give you a better view of how everything was put together. 

Volunteer Day on April 4th!

We are asking for volunteers to come out and help again on April 4th. 

We will be hosting a volunteer help day this Saturday starting at 8:00 a.m. We will be working on tearing out plaster on the third floor and loading it into a dump truck. It is very hard labor and a very dirty job. Due to that, we ask that no children younger than teenagers be in attendance. We will provide dust masks, safety glasses, and gloves to all that attend. We will also feed anybody that attends and helps. We will require all people attending to sign a liability waiver before they enter the building and perform any work.  

Thank you to all the volunteers!! 

 

 

 



 



Phase Two - Tear Out

 

Every Building Has a Story to Tell

 

 There are stories in the Mithoff.  As we tear off layers of the past, they are there.  You almost have to be a detective to find them.  The years of restorations.  The five ceilings on the third floor.  The bricks added for the wood or coal stoves in every room.  The added plumbing.  But when you walk the halls of that decaying hotel, you get an even deeper sense of the who and the what of the place.  Who might have stayed there and why.  Where were their travels taking them. Were they on a business trip?  Were they having a clandestine affair?  I can't help but feel the people of the building--the history that took place there, and I grow more attached to it with every inch of plaster we strip.  I'm certain it will look far worse before it looks any better (I've been through this before), but the process is an exciting one. And the excitement builds with every exposed beam and every opened door and window.  It might not look like it right now, but the old girl is definitely coming along.

 

 



Calling All Volunteers!

Looking For Volunteers

 

We will be hosting a volunteer help day this Saturday starting at 8:00 a.m. We will be working on tearing out plaster on the third floor and loading it into a dump truck. It is very hard labor and a very dirty job. Due to that, we ask that no children younger than teenagers be in attendance. We will provide dust masks, safety glasses, and gloves to all that attend. We will also feed anybody that attends and helps. We will require all people attending to sign a liability waiver before they enter the building and perform any work. Let me know if you have any questions or if you have a tentative list of possible helpers.  You can post questions here or on my Facebook page.   Thank you for all the help!!

Phase One: The Cleanup

 

What Once Was Old Becomes New Again

 

 

Before Cleanup

 

After Cleanup



Before Cleanup

After Cleanup

     On Friday morning Phase One of the Mithoff renovation started.  By Sunday afternoon the interior of the hotel was clean.  Friends, volunteers and employees came out to help and in no time there was a marked difference in the appearance of the hotel.  Just the addition of sunlight by adding the plastic covered windows was an improvement.

    

 Thank you to Holmes Lumber and Fastenal for the material for the window coverings.  And thank you for all the volunteers that took time out of their weekend to help with the cleanup.  There has been such an outpouring of support, it is hard to know where to start to recognize everyone.  Just know that no effort has gone unnoticed.  We are so very grateful and appreciate everything that everyone has done so far. 

 There are multiple fireplaces in the Mithoff, and there are quite a few areas that look like they might have been parlors or very nice suites in the hotel.  The pictures below are part of one such "master suite." 

 Just a few more pictures to remind everyone what it used to look like.

 
 



 

The difference a little light and a broom, well a shovel, make. 



We Are The Proud Owners of a Hotel

It's Official!

 

Today, March 6, 2015 my husband Brad Hutchinson, and myself, Penny Hutchinson purchased the Mithoff Hotel.  This beautiful old Lancaster landmark has officially been saved from the wrecking ball!!  I'd like to personally thank Brian Kuhn, the Service Safety Director, and the Honorable David Smith, Mayor of Lancaster.  Without their help and support this never would have happened.  They fought tirelessly in our favor, removed obstacles and paved the way for what we were able to accomplish today.

 

I'd also like to thank Rick Snyder, who donated a portion of his legal fees with Stebleton, Aranda and Snider, and SAS Lawyer's Title.  He helped draw up all the legal documents and assisted with the closing.  Also in attendance was Randy Ullom, who assisted with the legal documents.  His help with the transfer was instrumental. 

 

And I really have to thank my husband.  Wow!  He's already started cleaning out the building.  He's unstoppable and there isn't a single thing he can't accomplish.  I wouldn't have wanted to attempt this project with any other human being on the planet. 

 

We started this process in September of last year.  None of it has been really difficult or unbearable--just time consuming.  The amazing part of it is that I've watched Lancaster come alive.  There is more activity downtown, and people are talking about the history and the culture of the city.  I've learned a great deal more about Lancaster.  I've been contacted by ancestors of the Mithoffs and the Overholtzers (owners of the Swan Hotel circa 1846).    And I've never been more impressed by this town.  So many people have shown their support of this purchase.  I've been stopped in the street, in restaurants and in stores.   Both Brad and I have been thanked and congratulated.  I've been touched and humbled.  It has been a remarkable experience, and I can only imagine that this is only the beginning.

 

So, as we start this project, I hope you will all continue to follow this blog.  I will post at least once a week, more if something major happens, or if we make some remarkable discovery.  Businesses have already come out in support, and people have begun to donate time and resources to help us bring this building to back to life.   It's a major undertaking and its great to know we are not in this alone. 

 

Thank you all again for your help and support.  We did it Lancaster!