How long has this building sat empty?
‘Iconic’ Belvidere home to become museum, community space
The Funderburg House mansion, built in 1906, was donated to the Boone County Historical Society and Boone County Museum of History. It will become a museum and community gathering space.
By Kevin Haas
Staff writer
Posted at 12:33 PMUpdated at 12:37 PM
BELVIDERE — A 113-year-old mansion on North State Street will be renovated to live on as a historic museum available for rentals and community events.
K-B Farms donated the “Funderburg House” mansion to the Boone County Museum of History and the Boone County Historical Society. It also provided $1 million for long-term maintenance of the property. The donation of the home at 605 N. State St. along with the monetary gift make it the single largest donation in the 83-year history of the Boone County Historical Society, the organization said.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our museum, as well as our community,” Anna Pivoras, executive director of the Boone County Museum of History, said in a news release. “We are so thankful for this generous gift from K-B Farms and the Funderburg family, and are looking forward to a bright future for the historic residence.”
The home will undergo several renovations in the coming months to convert it to a historic house museum, rental facility and community gathering space.
“The board of K-B Farms is excited by the opportunity to convert our grandparent’s historic home from a private residence into a public asset,” said Rob Funderburg, chairman of K-B Farms. “Since the time the house was built it has been enjoyed by two families, and now it will be enjoyed by many other families in the future.”
The 8,000-square-foot craftsman-style mansion was built in 1906 by Belvidere native Katherine Rhinehart, daughter of Civil War General Allen C. Fuller, according to the historical society. The property was purchased by Hugh K. and Alice Funderburg, owners of Keene-Belvidere Canning Co., in the late 1930s and transferred to the historical society last month.
“Through the efforts of many, an iconic Belvidere property will become a community asset and destination,” said John Wolf, a museum trustee, in a news release. “Boone County and Belvidere are so very fortunate to have received this part of our community’s history to care for and utilize. Assisting the Funderburg family, K-B Farms and the Boone County Historical Museum with this unique donation has been an honor and a blessing.”
Kevin Haas: 815-987-1410; khaas@rrstar.com; @KevinMHaas
Above is from: https://www.journalstandard.com/news/20200107/iconic-belvidere-home-to-become-museum-community-space
