By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
BATH — The Bonner House and the Historic Bath State Historic Site in general are benefiting from the generosity of members of the Historic Bath Commission.
HBC members earlier this spring began an extensive landscaping project that will restore the house to its appearance when it was inhabited by the Joseph Bonner family.
“We’re excited about being more of a vital link because it’s our job to function as an extension of the Department of Cultural Resources, to assist not just financially, but in man power,” said Bill Pruitt with HBC. “It’s vital now because of budget cuts.”
Leigh Swain, Historic Bath site manager, couldn’t agree more — and she couldn’t be more grateful to the commission for its support.
“In these times of economic hardship, the Historic Bath Commission is more important than ever, and that is saying a lot because the HBC has always been an integral part of our operation,” Swain said. “They are the organization that makes us whole, filling in the gaps not funded by the state.”
Countless individuals have pitched in to make the landscaping project a success, Swain added.
“I’ve been so grateful for the hard workers who are volunteering their time in numerous ways to this project,” she said. “A surprising number of people are helping us achieve the committee’s goals, doing everything from hard labor, to building appropriate benches and arbors, to preparing lunch for the volunteers. I feel like the site has been blessed with this attention.”
The current project has required HBC members to pick up shovels, posthole diggers and axes. Their efforts, thus far, will be on public display during this weekend’s annual Bath Fest.
“We’re thrilled to death to help in any way we can,” Pruitt said. “It’s just been wonderful to see the number of people, both commission members and friends of commission members, who have turned out in force to do a lot of the physical labor.”
While the commission has traditionally been active in its support of the historic site, that support is particularly crucial now.
“With the budget cuts, this gives us an opportunity to step up to the plate and really be of assistance,” Pruitt noted. “The Department of Cultural Resources and its people have been wonderful to work with through the years, and we’re glad to help out now.”
Swain said the assistance has helped the department fulfill its mission.
“Part of the mission of the Department of Cultural Resources is to enrich lives and communities, and the Historic Bath Commission definitely helps us reach for these goals. The Bonner House interpretation can only be expanded in the proper setting,” Swain said. “Partnering with other entities is very helpful to us, as well. The Historic Bath Foundation Inc. has given support to this project by way of a grant through their small grants program.”
The HBC’s work isn’t limited to the Bonner landscaping project, Pruitt added. Educational programs offered by Historic Bath are also benefiting.
“Through our assistance and work with them, we’ve been able to sustain these programs,” he said. “So, we’re not having to cut back and we’re able to keep the educational programs for the children. It’s been comforting to step in and help.”
For more on the Bonner House project, see Sunday’s Pamlico Horizons section.