Name/Title
1990 Annual Picnic reportEntry/Object ID
002399Tags
William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House AssociationScope and Content
This is a fundraising appeal sent in May 1991 by James K. Sinclaire, Jr., President of the William Bull and Sarah Wells Stone House Association. The letter is addressed to "Cousins" (descendants of the Bull family) to solicit donations for the maintenance and restoration of the Bull Stone House in Campbell Hall, New York.
The appeal highlights several urgent and secondary restoration projects required to maintain the 1722 homestead as a "living Family Museum."
Primary Urgent Projects
The association identified three high-priority structural issues:
The Chimney ($14,000): The internal structure above the roof has deteriorated, causing stones and mortar to fall into the fireplaces. The letter notes the job is so dangerous that only one out of five masons contacted agreed to do it.
The Kitchen ($17,500 shortfall): Following an earlier appeal, more funds are needed to address fire hazards (wiring), plumbing failures, and 20-year-old appliances while maintaining a historical appearance.
Spring Water ($2,500): Surface water is draining into the spring, risking contamination of the house's primary source for drinking and sanitation.
Secondary Projects
The letter also lists four additional projects that currently lack funding:
Refinishing floors (entrance hall, front room, and upstairs): $10,000
New floor covering (front room): $1,500
Rebuilding the stone wall (rear and north side): $2,000
Repair and refinishing antiques: $5,000
Key Takeaways
Total Funding Requested: The primary projects alone total $34,000, with an additional $18,500 listed for secondary needs.
Community Impact: The house serves as a site for annual family picnics and historical preservation.
Tax Status: The letter emphasizes that despite changes to tax laws at the time, gifts to the Association remained tax-deductible.
