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Hannibal, MO -- Its been history in the making as Hannibal has been working to restore the Becky Thatcher House.There is still work to be done, but today an open house was held for the public to view the progress so far in preserving the the former home of Laura Hawkins, the inspiration of Becky Thatcher.
Pictures were on display showing the condition of the home before the restoration started.
Curator Henry Sweets and Executive Director, Dr. Cindy Lovell also made several presentations to show and explain the works that's been done so far and what still needs to be done.
The basic shell of the home is complete, but Lovell said they need the communities help to move on to the next stage.
"Now we're ready to do the inside work it would be lovely to continue doing that over the winter months we just need donations to increase so that we can keep renovations going," said Lovell.
Lovell said about 700 thousand dollars has been donated already, they just need about 600 thousand more to keep the project going.
Missourians who donate before June 30th of next year to help restore the Becky Thatcher home, can qualify for NAP or Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits.
NAP provides Missouri tax credits in the amount of 50% of the gift, and donors are also entitled to receive the full federal tax deduction, and most businesses are eligible.
Donors in the 30% tax bracket, for instance, would receive 80% of their donation back in deductions and tax credits.
For example a one-thousand dollar donation would end costing you about two hundred bucks.
The museum has about 75 thousand dollars left to give in NAP credits.
There is no minimum donation required, and donors may contribute anything from cash, supplies, professional services, labor, real estate, and publicly traded stocks and bonds.
For more information contact Dr. Cindy Lovell, executive director of the museum, at 573-221-9010, ext. 402.
