10 February 2010

McAdam Train Station Renovations One Step Closer to Completion

Greg Davidson, CEO of the McAdam Historical Restoration Commission, serves up a piece of famous railroad pie as part of an event to unveil the latest restoration project at the McAdam Railway Station.

McAdam New Brunswick - Restoration of the McAdam Railway Station moved a step closer to completion Tuesday with the unveiling of a meeting room set in the 1900s.
 
The repairs and renovations were paid for by community donations and funding from the federal and provincial governments.
 
But Greg Davidson, CEO of the McAdam Historical Restoration Commission, said it's not only the money that's bringing the village's history to life.
 
"We can't do this without the funding, but what really makes this place breathe history is the memories and stories of those who used to work in the station," Davidson said.
 
"That's why this place is so authentic and true to its original architecture. We are blessed to have people in our community who remember the station when it was in all its glory."
 
Walking into Maxwell room, the latest restored section of the railway station, brought back memories for Jim McCracken.
 
He began working there in 1948 as a telegraph operator and later accepted a job as the rail terminal supervisor.
 
He said much of his time was spent at the station until he retired in 1982.
 
"I've been watching the restoration closely since they started hard at it about seven or eight years ago," McCracken said. "I remember what it was like here, so if something they are restoring doesn't look just right, I let them know. I have to say, it's fairly close to the original. Makes a person feel they've stepped back in time."
 
That's a feeling McAdam Mayor Frank Carroll hopes others get as they enter the nationally and provincially historic site.
 
The heritage railway station attracted about 11,000 tourists last year, and as the restorations continue, he hopes to see those numbers double.
 
"This station is the reason McAdam is here and it's a tremendous source of pride for the community," Carroll said.
 
"What we're doing to it now is historically significant and we want to share that with others."
 
About three-quarters of the station's ground floor has been restored, including its 1950s-style lunch counter, waiting room, telegraph office, and 1940s-style dining room.
 
The Maxwell room was originally the main lobby of the station's hotel.
 
"It's called the Maxwell room to honour the Maxwell brothers, who were quite famous architects from Montreal," Davidson said.
 
"They not only created this station, but several other famous buildings, such as the Algonquin Hotel in St. Andrews, the original Chateau Lake Louise in Banff, and the Royal York in Toronto."
 
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has invested about $740,000 in McAdam's railway project.
 
The provincial government contributed $63,500 and the restoration commission provided $180,000.
 
It's estimated the total cost of the project will be in excess of $8 million.
 
"We're hoping the Maxwell room, which is cleverly set up with all the modern technologies without distracting from the original setting, will be a revenue generator as people host meetings here," Carroll said.
 
"We're also hoping to eventually restore the station's original hotel, which will attract more visitors to the village as well."
 
The unveiling of the Maxwell room on Tuesday coincided with National Heritage Week and the launch of a new website for the station.
 
The public was given a tour of the building and a taste of the station's "famous" railroad pie.
 
For more information on the McAdam Railway Station and to track the next phase of renovations, visit www.mcAdamStation.ca.
 
Jennifer Dunville.