July 2024 Newsletter

The Wright House is getting a new roof!

The community has been waiting for this AND it is about to become a reality. The WHR Steering Committee recommended to the Gratiot County Historical Society that they award a bid for a new roof to Lifestyle Exteriors and GCHGS has approved the roofing bid. Gary Collins, contractor for Lifestyle expects to begin the roof shortly. He reported that Lifestyle can begin removing the old roof and laying the OSB while awaiting the arrival of the materials.

The roofing materials are environmentally friendly, made from recycled tires and designed to resemble slate tiles. The product has a 50 year warranty.

The roof is a HUGE step toward securing the home and it has required a great deal of research and thought to ensure the best long-term results for the museum. Funding from the Strosacker and Gerstacker Foundations will pay for the new roof to be installed. Keep looking up....it’s coming.

The Answer is “YES”

It is a HUGE undertaking and Gratiot County foundations, manufacturers and community members are stepping up to make it happen. Since June the project has raised $38,356 through the Wright Night Trivia thanks to a $15,000 match from and a donation from has added another $25,000; plus the Gratiot County Community Foundation has awarded WHR $25,000 to be used for plumbing in the Wright House Museum. And to top off our month, an has written a check for $20,000 to support the project. That is more than $100,000 from our local community THIS month alone!!! In answer to the question posed by the Morning Sun in February, “YES, this is the Right Time and the Right People to save the Wright House”.