By Sharon Rossino

The Bowman-White House Museum and the Monroe-McCreedy house are scheduled for upgrades during the summer of 2006. For years, the dining room and butler's pantry of the Bowman-White house, one of HGI's five homes that represent 19th-century lifestyles in Georgetown, have been in dire need of attention. Currently, the wallpaper is torn and areas of spackle cover the existing wallpaper. The drapes in the dining room are tattered, and the butler's pantry tells the same sad story -- but all of that will soon change. Because of a generous donation from Ms. Joyce Jamele, the Bowman-White house dining room and butler's pantry will be re-papered with a gorgeous period-appropriate wallpaper chosen by Kathy Hoeft of Long Hoeft Architects. HGI plans to have the papers hung by June and expects to put a fresh coat of paint on the kitchen walls and to repair the drapes during the summer.

Mrs. Joanna McCreedy donated the Monroe-McCreedy house to HGI in 1996, and it has been used as a rental off and on ever since. Nestled at the foot of Leavenworth Mountain at the head of Argentine Street, the original 1870s cabin has had four additions that reflect changes during the early history of Georgetown. But the house has remained basically unaltered since a bathroom was added just after World War II. Fearing that the roof might not survive the upcoming winter, in 2005 HGI applied for a grant from the State Historical Fund. Recently, the Fund announced an award of $19,711. This money, along with a $6,572 cash match, will be used to insulate and rehabilitate the roof. Contractors will replace cedar shingles with fire-retardant asphalt shingles.