"Raise the roof" on the Swedish Pavilion
You did it!
Thanks to your donations, we have been able to raise the $151,500 needed to make the structural repairs to prevent the catastrophic collapse of the 1904 World’s Fair Swedish Pavilion.
Thank you!
The repairs are set to be completed June 2025.
Now to the next important challenge: Raising a (new, more historically accurate) roof over the Swedish Pavilion. Read more below about how you can help to RAISE THE ROOF (and possibly receive a tax benefit for yourself)!
The Problem
The museum’s 1904 World’s Fair Swedish Pavilion currently has a more than 30-year-old asphalt roof (which, additionally, is not historically accurate) that is starting to show serious signs of its age.
There are often leaks after heavy rain or snow, threatening the long-term viability of the 121 year old structure.
THE SOLUTION
The Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum has received $166,600 in Community Service Program (CSP) Tax Credits through the Kansas Department of Commerce. The available tax credits will be used to enhance fundraising efforts for the 1904 World’s Fair Swedish Pavilion Restoration & Improvement Project.
Awarded nonprofits were chosen through a competitive application process. State tax credits reduce the total amount of taxes owed to the state. They are a way for taxpayers to substantially reduce the cost of contributing to the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum.
These credits are expected to raise a total of $238,000 in donations. The first $151,500 in donations fully covered critical stabilization repairs to prevent the possibility of a catastrophic collapse of the historic structure, which was the most pressing concern.
The remaining portion ($86,500) will partially cover the cost of a new pavilion roof that will prevent leaks and be more historically accurate. Current plans are to re-roof the Pavilion with composite Brava “Spanish Barrel” tile roofing in antique clay color.
Closely matching the original style of the Pavilion when built in 1904, the composite tiles will have all the beauty and warmth of traditional clay material, but with less weight and a significantly longer expected lifespan – on the order of up to up to half a century with inherent UV protection to prevent degradation and the ability to withstand winds of 188 mph or more.
Additional fundraising beyond the CSP tax credits will be necessary to install the new roof. The amount needed to replace the roof currently has a rough estimate of about $175,000.
(If you do the math on the information with the bar chart below, you might notice it adds up to more than $238,000. This is because of some generous donors who gave to the Pavilion project even though their donation amount amount didn’t qualify for the tax credit.)
Remaining donation capacity under grant – $56,189.75
How You Can Help
Potential donors who want to give to the preservation project to save the Swedish Pavilion and receive tax credits can do so now. Credits will be allotted to donors to the project on a “first come, first served” basis.
Businesses and individuals subject to Kansas income tax are eligible to receive a tax credit through this program. Donors giving at least $250 to the Pavilion Restoration & Improvement Project may qualify for a 70% tax credit. For example, a donor making a $1,000 gift receives a $700 tax credit when they file their state taxes, making the net cost to the donor only $300.
If you or your business are interested in donating to the Pavilion Restoration & Preservation Project, please reach out to museum staff using the form below, by emailing info@oldmillmuseum.org, or by calling 785-227-3595 for full details on how to donate under the project.
If you are ready to donate now, you can print and fill out THIS FORM, and mail it along with check payment to:
Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum
PO Box 94
Lindsborg, KS 67456