PAXTON — “I have always driven by the Records Building and felt that it was a shame that it was so neglected,” Gordon Snyder said.

It is neglected no more, as volunteer work recently spruced up the building constructed to safeguard town records.

 “It is a historical gem of our town and was in need of some TLC,” Snyder said.

Historical Commission member Anita Fenton said the “small unassuming brick building” that sits in the Paxton Local Historic District on Route 122 off the Town Common “was financed by the estate of Charles Boynton, a lifelong Paxton resident who was concerned about the safety of official town documents in a wooden town hall.”

“Built in 1899, this building was and still is used to store important documents and records,” Snyder said.

Over the years, the Records Building showed some of the weathering the heat of New England summers and cold of its winters can inflict on a structure.

“I mentioned this to Brian (Brosnihan of the Cemetery Commission) one day as we drove by, and as a team we came up with a plan,” Snyder said.

The two sparked a project involving their efforts as well as contributions from other Paxton residents and organizations, from the Historical Commission and DPW to the newly reformed Paxton Garden Club.

Synder said they starting by removing the overgrowth of brush and cutting down some trees that had taken over the building.

“Once this was completed, the beauty of this wonderful old building was visible again,” he said.

Logistics included meeting with the Historical Commission to coordinate work and paint.

Normally, the building attracts little attention, Fenton said, until Brosnihan and Snyder “decided it needed some well-deserved TLC and volunteered to accomplish it.”

They contacted the Paxton Local Historic District Commission with their intention to repaint the peeling wood and clear the debris that had accumulated over the years around the structure, as well as possible future roof and fencing repair and a circular window replacement.

“After receiving approval and information about historically appropriate paint colors, they proceeded to spend many long hours accomplishing their tasks,” Fenton said.

“Once painting was completed, we framed the building with some landscaping, and the Garden Club helped with donation of planters that are placed on either side of the front entrance. We are still working on some more improvements that include repair of the slate roof, replacing fencing around the building, and replacing the round window over front entrance,” Synder said.  

“Both Brian and I are residents of Paxton and wanted to give something back to our town. I have lived in town with my wife for over 35 years raising my family. Brian and his family are newer residents of Paxton, but share the same enthusiasm to give back to our town,” he said. In addition, the Paxton Historical Commission will be looking into a possible fundraiser to help with the circular window replacement, she said. It also has plans to preserve and document any significant historical papers present. She said the Commission hopes that at a future Paxton Days, the Records Building may be open for viewing by Paxton residents.

With the work of volunteers and donations from the Paxton Garden Club and extensive assistance from Travis Thibault and his DPW crew, “The result is an externally improved Records Building that would surely make Mr. Boynton proud,” Fenton said.

“This small but mighty crew of two removed all the brush and debris, re-stained the trim and door, spread a new application of pea stone, and applied a cobblestone edge,” Paxton Garden Club member Robin Tasca said of the work Brosnihan and Snyder put into the project.

The Garden Club responded when Brosnihan approached members to see if they could donate planters that could be planted seasonally.

“We were able to purchase two urn-style planters (very popular during the late 1800s) and fill them with gorgeous annuals,” Tasca said, with plans to “change out the flowers seasonally so this little building can have color and beauty spring through to the fall.”

Tasca said donations included funding for the planters from local landscapers Dolan Landscaping and M&A Property, and Bill Casey and Ryan Gates donated the cobblestone. Howes Farm and Garden donated the flowers for the planters, Glenn Sullivan donated the solar spotlights, and Ten West Market helped feed the crew, she said.

“We have a special place in our hearts for the little town of Paxton,” Snyder said.

“The common area is a peaceful green space surrounded by so much history. The town hall, both churches, cemetery and now the Records Building are all focal points for all to see as they pass through our town.

“Brian and I are glad we could take on this project in our spare time and give something back to our town so others can enjoy this little piece of Paxton’s town history,” Synder said.