The Historic City of Jefferson organization gathered a dozen volunteers Saturday morning at 916 Jackson St. to salvage what they could from a home deemed dangerous by the city.
Under city code, the Jefferson City building official can declare structures dangerous and order property owners to either repair or demolish dangerous buildings. The building official ruled the brick structure built in 1920, and five other structures, were dangerous and they were set for demolition because of damage from the May 22 tornado.
Homeowner Loise White was in her first-floor bedroom that night. Her daughter-in-law, Evie White, said Loise described a high-pitched noise when the storm hit and took the second floor.
Going up the carpeted stairs leads to open air. All four exterior walls are gone, personal items lay with brick and debris. On the first floor, the hardwood floor buckled underneath the carpet due to water damage.
A member of HCJ, Greg White said his mother wanted the salvageable parts to be put to good use. The home belonged to his grandparents in the 1960s, then his mother in the late '80s.
HCJ President Donna Deetz said wood doors, cabinets, windows and trim can be used when rehabbing other buildings to keep them historically correct.
"Having salvage available to them will make it easier to get that historic character," Deetz said. "For someone trying to rehab a building of the same era, they would have the same frame or windows."
Member Kate Owens unscrewed doors from their frames. Others worked quickly finding items to take from the property.
On her first rehabbing project, she said these projects are important for historians and those in need.
"I've been saying we need to do this for years," Owens said. "Even regular homeowners need a door every once in a while."
Architectural salvage projects started about two years ago. Items are stored at HCJ's headquarters, 601 E. High St., where they are resold.
"That money goes directly into rehabbing historic houses in Jefferson City," Deetz said.
The organization is working to get in touch with historic homes set for demolition or impacted by the tornado with historic items. For more information on projects or volunteering, email [email protected].