Norwich – For decades the Main Street mansion where Civil War era Gov. William A. Buckingham lived, worked and closely followed the war, stood neglected, unappreciated, its history obscured by modern alterations and uses.

The city stepped up decades ago, when the veterans’ group that owns the building at 307 Main St. couldn't afford its upkeep. The city paid for heat and repairs, altered rooms with new walls, carpets and doors to house various city functions, ranging from the senior center and the Public Parking Commission to a police substation and a winter overnight homeless shelter.

Jane Cable, president of the United War Veterans Grand Army of the Republic Buckingham Memorial Association Inc., which owns the building, hopes 2019 will mark the turning point for the home of the prominent statesman.

With help from skilled volunteers, a couple of small grants from local foundations and donations, Cable plans to restore at least a few rooms to the grandeur Buckingham would have recognized and open them for public events.

Only a few entities now occupy the building, including a state marshal, the Connecticut Pardon Team, the Three Rivers Young Marines and the city historian’s office, located in the former south parlor.

The group started with the library. The room at the end of the main floor hallway had housed a city police substation years ago and more recently, the Norwich Historical Society, but was vacant when Cable launched her project.

“When I came in, this room was just full of garbage,” Cable said Monday. “There was a weed growing through this window and around this wall,” she said pointing to the rear window and the wall with built-in book shelves.

Unfortunately, no photographs could be found of the inside of the house, City Historian Dale Plummer said. Norwich resident and interior designer Ingrid Bergman purchased period-style dark maroon wallpaper and carpet. She made the matching curtains on the giant windows.

Norwich resident Paul Rak donated appropriate mid-to-late 19th century antique furniture, including a formerly gas-lit chandelier converted to electric. Cable said there’s a gas-lit chandelier upstairs, but it’s not wired for electric lights.

“I think Governor Buckingham would approve,” Plummer said of the library.

The books all came from the Buckingham house, Cable said, as did a few Civil War artifacts on display, including an enlisted man’s hat, an octagonal tambourine and a badge belonging to a Grand Army of the Republic veteran. Above the bookcase is an oval framed photograph of Buckingham with his gubernatorial staff.

Many items from the home have been loaned to the New England Civil War Museum in Vernon. But Cable keeps finding surprises when she visits the attic or opens closet doors. In one closet was a bronze plaque of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The plaque will be loaned to City Hall to be displayed beside a replica painting of Lincoln and near the 1860 Lincoln campaign banner.

“I opened another closet, and there were two Chock Full O’Nuts coffee cans,” she said. “I moved them aside, and there was a bugle behind them.”

Cable said the association now is ready to show off the restoration effort and launch the first public events in the Buckingham home.

The association will host an open house for veterans in the library from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, and a general open house from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday Feb. 16. Visitors can examine the extensive collection of Civil War record books or just enjoy the setting, Cable said.

At 2 p.m., Feb. 16, author Christopher Wigren, deputy director of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, will discuss his recent book, “Connecticut Architecture: Stories of 100 Places.” The book features more than 200 illustrations and is organized thematically with sections on notable buildings, neighborhoods and communities.

The library will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 and March 2 for families to research Civil War ancestors. The library houses numerous books covering correspondence and reports both North and South from all battles of the Civil War, and 10 volumes cover prisoners of war, one specific to Connecticut.

“War of the Rebellion” one 3-inch thick book binding reads. “Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Series L Vol. XLII. Part III – Correspondence ETC. Operations in Southeastern Virginia and North Carolina, October 1-December 31, 1864. RICHMOND CAMPAIGN, ETC.” Rows of similar volumes dominate the shelves.

There also are books documenting the Ku Klux Klan Conspiracies – first-person testimonies by people who were persecuted by the Klan in the South following the Civil War. Buckingham wrote his name in one volume published in 1872.

“These stories will keep you up at night,” Cable said.

Lying flat on another shelf are three giant scrapbook style books that contain maps of local cemeteries, with Civil War veterans’ graves noted.

Cable said Civil War researchers who can’t make it to the open house dates and times could contact her to make appointments to review the books. Cable can be reached at (602) 622-5946 or cable_jane@yahoo.com.

Future possible events include parlor concerts, showcasing young new talent from southeastern Connecticut, high teas – using original “Union China” from the house that has been stored in the attic – and a “William Buckingham Speaks” series, featuring a Buckingham re-enactor.

Cable said the association next will work on the front north parlor. When Buckingham died on Feb. 5, 1875, his body lay in state in this room, Cable said. Some 2,000 people lined up outside to pay respects. The room now is cluttered with original and modern furnishings. An ornate, large bookcase with glass doors and a giant mirror above the marble fireplace mantel, are both original.

Cable envisions hosting receptions in this room to accompany library events, perhaps putting Buckingham’s own china to use for the first time in 144 years.

“I had a blast just looking at the dishes,” Cable said.

c.bessette@theday.com