The Connection

This building is the center of our village, a historic treasure that brings us together," said Brian M. Cavey, president of Glencarlyn Citizens Association, describing the 120-year-old Carlin Hall on 4th Street, South, Arlington.

Owned and maintained by the county, but managed by the association, a major restoration was accomplished over the past year.

Initially, the plan was to replace siding and woodwork and to do some painting. Opening various structural elements disclosed much more effort was required. Foundation mortar had disintegrated into sand, attic rafters supporting the roof had warped and the crowning cupola was atilt and in danger of toppling.

Repairs and alterations over several decades, some of which had changed the historic character of the building, themselves were in disrepair.

Built in 1892, and originally named Curtis Hall, it was the all-purpose meetinghouse for Glen Carlin Village. As a "planned community," some say it was the precursor of Reston, Columbia and Greenbelt. From 1920 to 1950, the building served as the local elementary school. Nearby St. John's Chapel held services there for a dozen years. On other occasions, its role was library, dance hall and theatre. At all times, it was the all-purpose meeting place.

Construction manager for the current project was Peter Connell. A county staffer for eight years, he brought 30 years of building experience to the job. Ordinarily, his unit "fixes things" in the many county-owned properties. Ca

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Historic Building Restored

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rlin Hall was different, it being one of only four historic properties cared for by the county. The assignment provided an opportunity to do something constructive to a building that was very close to the heart of the local community.

The project also gave fresh meaning to the way Connell and his fellow staffers approach their work: "When we do it, we do it right." Coordination was established with the Historic Preservation staff and the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board. Historically inaccurate windows dating to the 1940s, repairs after a fire in the 1960s, and renovations in the late 1980s complicated the plan to restore the building to its original appearance.

In the end, the cost of "doing it right" is around $930,000. Cavey said his association "is grateful to the county and the County Board for their generous investment in restoring" Carlin Hall.

Although the site of many activities throughout the year, Carlin Hall's constant occupant has been a pre-school for 3, 4 and 5 years olds. For more than 20 years and until "promoted" not long ago, Louise Peetz served as teacher. Reflecting on the last 12 months, two words came to mind: "adequate" and "uncertainty."

The building always was adequate for the small classes of age-group stude

nts. No suspicion of hidden structural faults ever arose. Once the construction project was announced, uncertainty set in. Originally, work was to be accomplished during summer 2012. As the finish date was extended into the fall, then the spring of this year and finally to the end of this school year, parents and teachers never were certain when they could return. Supplies were stored in the Madison Center near Chain Bridge. Classes were held in the Langston-Brown Center on Lee Highway.

Now that the pre-school has "come home," according to Peetz, fresh facilities are more than adequate and the uncertainties of parents and staff have evaporated: "We are ready to go with this year's Summer Tot Camp."

Official re-opening of Carlin Hall occurred on this year's Glen Carlin Day, June 1. Greg Emanuel, director, Department of Environmental Services, welcomed all present. In remarks offered to the several hundred assembled, County Board member Christopher Zimmerman noted the building will continue in its century-long role of revitalizing the neighborhood and Cavey praised the "wonderful work of the county's staff and the contractor" in restoring "the living room of our community."