Brooks Academy Restoration Falls Two Months Behind

Other Committee · Meeting of September 16, 2026

Harwich's Brooks Academy Museum Commission says building restoration is now roughly two months behind schedule. Chair Bob Nickerson told members Wednesday that an original June 30 completion target "is less likely to happen," pushing the timeline toward next summer, and declined to discuss budget specifics while portions of the work remain out to bid. The commission is also planning a documentary video project combining drone footage, a town-owned time-lapse camera and oral history interviews with former Brooks Academy students, some in their 90s and 100s, though interviews won't begin before November due to staffing.

Members raised concern that a roughly $200,000 cost to remove and reinstall the building's cupola could force cutting weathervane restoration from the project, and discussed private fundraising and a local woodworker as fallback options. The commission also approved its August 19 meeting minutes unanimously and discussed buying a roughly $200 mower after a longtime grounds volunteer said he wants to step back.

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Source: the Other Committee meeting of September 16, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.