The Acacia Foundation, Inc.

The Acacia Foundation, Inc. Clifton Virginia Museum

The Acacia Foundation, Inc.
3937C University Dr Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-591-2323
Email

Background:

Clifton’s Acacia Masonic Lodge meets in a structure built in the 1870’s and originally used as a mill on Pope’s Head Creek. The building was moved to its current location on Clifton’s Main Street in 1925 and has been home to Acacia Lodge ever since. The building has been designated as a contributing structure to the Town of Clifton National Historic District by the U.S. Department of the Interior. More information about this historic landmark is available here.

In June 2006 after four days of heavy rains, the lodge building was severely damaged by flood waters. The rushing creek water washed out the foundation supports that hold the building up and climbed 1.5 feet into its first floor. The building, while undermined and damaged, is judged to be worth saving. To save this building, there is an immediate need to replace the foundation with a new one elevating the building three feet higher then it is now, assuring that it will not again sustain damage by flooding. In order to install a new foundation, the building must be lifted and moved from its current site. The new foundation will require excavation below the current site of the building, constructing a concrete exterior wall and interior footings to support the building’s beam system, repairing and/or replacing joists and beams on the existing building, moving the building back and attaching it to the foundation. These improvements are the first stage of building renovations and are estimated to cost approximately $80,000.

After the building has been replaced on a new foundation, the second phase of building renovation will be to construct a new addition on its rear side to accommodate two bathrooms and various equipment, build a ramp for handicapped accessibility and exit stairs for the second floor, install new flooring on the first floor of the building, install a new HVAC system, strengthen the stairway leading to the second floor, and install wall coverings, light fixtures and paint on the first floor. These improvements are estimated to cost $80,000.

Click here to see drawings showing how the Lodge building would look after renovation.

Creation of The Acacia Foundation, Inc.

Acacia Lodge raised funds for the purpose of renovating the lodge building, but was unable to raise enough from Masonic sources to do the job. It became clear that broader outreach was needed, and that a public charity should have a role in assisting in the renovation and preservation of, and bringing new life to, the historic building. For these purposes, The Acacia Foundation, Inc., a Virginia nonprofit corporation, was formed in 2007 and has received its IRS approval as a tax exempt public charity. A copy of the IRS determination letter is available here

The Acacia Foundation, Inc was formed by a group of people interested is repairing, renovating and maintaining Clifton's historic landmark and in operating a public museum on its first floor after renovation. It expects to solicit contributions from members of the general public, including Masons throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to apply those funds exclusively to the costs of renovating the lodge building as described above.

Officers and Directors

The officers and directors of the Foundation are as follows:

James C. Chesley – President/Director

James E. Kraut – Treasurer/Director

Heidi M. Pender – Secretary/Director

David R.. Hill – Director

David C. Morris – Director

Counsel to the Foundation is Brant Baber.

Contact Information

For information about the Foundation, please contact our counsel, Brant Baber, at 703-591-2323, bb@baberkal.com

Website issues contact: Webmaster@TheAcaciaFoundation.org
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