There’s a new place to gather on Main Street in Vardaman that is filled with a lot of old stories.
Work is ongoing on “Front Porch” – a historic building on the east side of Main Street in downtown Vardaman, best remembered by most as Hill’s Department Store.
The town acquired the building nearly a decade ago and just recently began a major renovation using volunteer labor.
“We wanted a nice place people could have meetings, receptions and other functions,” said Alderwoman Peggy Skinner, who has been among the many volunteering her time to work on the building. “It’s something to better our community.”
James Young, author of “Vardaman, Mississippi History and Memories,” shared recently that according to “Home From the Flowers” by Dr. Tilmon Smith, the building was built of Smith Brothers’ bricks that were laid by Dr. Smith himself.
“For many years this building was the J.D. Richards and Co. General Merchandise store. Later, and still remembered by many, it was the site of Hill’s Department Store.”
The building has served various functions since Hill’s, most recently as a storage facility and exercise center for the Vardaman Fire Department.
“The fire department was storing an old fire truck in there and some other things when we decided to fix up the building so that it could be used by the public,” Vardaman Town Clerk Barbara Tedder said.
When the Wright family asked about the availability of the building for Kalyn Wright and Aaron Sim’s wedding reception last month, the renovation was expedited.
“A three year project turned into one summer,” Tedder said.
A host of volunteers came forward to do some extensive renovation including removing old plaster from the walls to expose the original brick; replace a lot of missing bricks; repair and paint a collection of chandeliers gathered from area yard sales; removing a dropped ceiling to expose original rafters in the ceiling; a lot of painting, building and more.
“The town paid for a new roof but that’s all,” Tedder said. “Everything else has been donated.”
“There has never been a time when we needed something when someone hasn’t stepped up,” Skinner said.
Brand new round tables were donated for the wedding reception last month.
“It was beautiful,” Tedder said of the building.
Since the reception, donations were acquired to purchase 150 chairs. Appliances and cabinets have been donated for the kitchen which is still under construction.
“We have people come down here when they have time and put in the work,” Tedder said. “It’s been amazing what this community has already done.”
Last week the town board agreed to charge a $200 rental fee plus a $100 refundable deposit for the “Front Porch.” They agreed to charge $50 per day for pre-decorating and post-cleanup if needed. They also agreed to buy tablecloths for the building to rent out.
For more information on “The Front Porch” call Vardaman Town Hall at 682-7561.