On Saturday, January 7, 2006 the Friends of New London began the painstaking process of cleaning and stabilizing this small ramshackle building at the intersection of Town Fork Rd. and Alum Springs Road in New London.  For many years the circa 1890s structure was the office of Dr. Nicholas Kabler (learn more).

Before cleanup

After cleanup and siding removal (click photos for larger view)

       The project spanned three weeks of intensive volunteer work, but FNL managed to remove more than 90% of the trash and dilapidated modern fixtures within and outside the structure.  A leaking hot water tank in the kitchen had caused rot to one structural member and invited termites.  A rot hole through the kitchen floor allowed volunteers to recover a cache of cans and bottles from the early 20th century.  Among these were numerous whiskey bottles, a scented lotion bottle, apothecary bottles and even a syringe from the days when the structure served as a doctor's office.  These artifacts are temporarily stored and will someday become part of an exhibit.  FNL is currently working on a plan to stabilize the building while structural studies are made.  Look for future updates on the Kabler Building project in our News section.

Created by the Friends of New London, Virginia, Inc.