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Links to Eastman Lodge Project Pages:
In 1934 construction began on a limestone block building overlooking the Mississippi river on property owned by Millie Smith Eastman. Previously, the Eastmans had purchased 12 ½ acres of land to be used by the Boy Scouts of America as a summer camp. Camp Burro existed until July of 1930 when Mrs. Eastman continued her husband's interest in scouting by acquiring an additional 15 ½ acres of land, and the camp's name was changed to Camp Eastman. |
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Recently, the Board of Directors of the Camp Eastman Development Association voted to take on the challenge of refurbishing Eastman Lodge. Many years of inadequate maintenance had left the building in a less than desirable state. Although the building was still used by campers, its facilities were rapidly deteriorating.
CEDA’s goal was ambitious: Restore a historic landmark to its former grandeur, but also add features that would increase the usefulness of the building year round for scouts and other youth groups while they enjoy the many activities Camp Eastman has to offer.
Beginning their campaign with a $100 a plate fund-raising dinner held in the lodge, CEDA worked closely with the Council’s Camp Committee to form a plan to address the major structural problems and outline the improvements to be made.
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Today, Eastman Lodge stands as the signature building of Camp Eastman, located between Nauvoo and Hamilton Illinois, serving the Mississippi Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America and other youth organizations. The building has a long history of serving the camp in many capacities, most notably as the dining hall for many years. |
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Today work continues on several projects designed to make Eastman Lodge a lasting and useful enhancement to Camp Eastman. |
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| To date, the Camp Eastman Development Association has raised and allocated more than $100,000.00 towards the Eastman Lodge restoration. This figure represents the actual dollars spent, but of even greater importance are the materials and many hours of labor that have been donated to the project. Without the generosity of these volunteers the restoration of Eastman Lodge would not have been possible. |
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| The Eastman Lodge restoration project encompasses several major accomplishments and ongoing improvements: |
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* Replace all windows with custom-fit aluminum thermal pane windows
* Install two high-efficiency furnaces and associated duct work
* Install a new fire escape door for the loft
* Refurbish or replace all exterior doors
* Install new basement access doors
* Install a new floor in the kitchen, main room, and office
* Tuck-pointing the interior and exterior of the building
* Reconstruction of the fireplace |
* Purchase a fire screen, tools and wood storage racks
* Remodeling of the kitchen
* Install new appliances
* Install a commercial grade ventilation hood
* Install a new stainless steel sink and work areas
* Remodel the loft area.
* Install a new window in the back room
* Repair and re-shingle the roof
* Obtain and display various scouting memorabilia |
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