Pastor's House Furnace Needs to be Replaced

In mid-October, the 44-year-old heating system in the Pastor’s House failed. Heading into the cold winter months without a furnace creates an immediate crisis for Gammelgården. The Pastor’s House requires consistent temperature and humidity control to prevent severe damage to the building and the artifacts.

When a furnace breaks down in a climate with sub-zero winter temperatures, a building can experience extreme temperature fluctuations. Without adequate interior heating, residual moisture within the logs and foundational elements (stone, mortar, and concrete) can freeze, expand, and cause severe structural cracking.

In addition, the Pastor’s House has a sump pump with pipes that can freeze and burst, which can lead to water damage. By replacing the furnace and adding a whole-house dehumidifier, the system will regulate the temperature and relative humidity. Not heating the building during the winter will cause moisture to condense on cold interior surfaces. In addition, wood artifacts in the building will experience accelerated mold growth and warping.

Replacing the 44-year-old furnace — which has long surpassed its expected mechanical lifespan — is an absolute necessity to ensure that Gammelgården can protect this invaluable historical building and reopen for future generations.

Those who want to help Gammelgården with this unexpected HVAC expense can do so online on the Museum’s website or through GiveMN. Any gift made through the GiveMN website during November will give the Museum opportunities to win special cash gifts/grants. For those preferring to send a check, please mail your donation to: Gammelgården Museum, P.O. Box 62, Scandia, MN 55073.