MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Renaissance Foundation recently purchased the former lodge hall of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, building, located on 114 S. Main St.

“Our organization’s main purpose is preservation and restoration,” said Tom Fish, president of the KCRF. “The people who are the IOOF came to us and asked us if we would buy [the building] because they are not using it. The second and third floors have sat empty and unused for several years, but it does have a flower shop on the first floor.

“They asked us to buy it because they knew that we are interested in restoration and preservation, and they hoped someone would keep it as near intact as possible and still find some other use for it,” he added.

When Odd Fellows asked the KCRF to purchase the property it was over a year and a half ago; initially, the foundation wasn’t certain about purchasing the old building. Although the building is sound, it is in need of modernization with updates of the electrical and plumbing systems.

“It is a good, solid building, but, like anything old, it needs some updating. There’s a basement, the first floor and the two other floors. The second floor above the flower shop, we hope to renovate it for a rental property, and probably use the third floor, which is some sort of a ballroom, part of it we will use as our offices and meeting space, and also have that available for groups that might want to meet,” said Fish.

The building formerly was the lodge hall for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

“It was started, as I understand it, in the early 1800s in New York City, and they accepted anyone — any religion, any race, and color,” said Fish. “The Odd Fellow name came from immigrants that came to New York City seeking work, and they were all alone — no family, friends or anyone. So lodge was started up to help these people adjust to life in America and find a second home for them, and they could get to know each other.”

The local chapter history goes back to the 1840s and predates the construction of the building. Attorney Robert D. Lee estimates, based on documents he has found, that the building was built around the 1876.

Mary-Anne Pomputius, former KCRF board president, said the architectural trend of the building looks to be of the late Victorian period.

“We have high hopes to try restoring the building as faithfully as we can,” said Phyllis Williams, KCRF secretary-treasurer. “[But] the primary focus will be in securing the exterior on South Main Street so people won’t be concerned.”

The renaissance foundation was started in 1988 by Tim Tyler and his wife, who were interested in the restoration and preservation in Knox County. The organization has been instrumental in initiating the restoration of the Woodward Opera House, developing the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival and pioneered the establishment of the Knox County Visitors Bureau. The foundation sponsors the Knox County Barn Tour and several other historical tours each year, and the continued restoration of the Mound View Cemetery Chapel. Most important, the organization is a firm supportor of keeping history alive.

“This is something that we are extremely excited about,” said Russ McGibney, vice president and organization project manager for KCRF. “We are extremely pleased that this building is in a, basically, untouched condition. It does need a lot of renovating, but the structure itself has not been altered a lot from when it was built back in the [late 1800s].

“We are very happy to be able to acquire this building and set forth goals to undergo the renovation, with assistance from lots of different people in the community that are really supportive.”

Students from the Knox County Career Center carpentry and building trade class will also be part of the renovation process.

“When the students go out into the real world, they will have to deal with buildings like this, so this is going to be a great teaching apparatus for the students. They are very excited about being a part of the project,” said McGibney.

The renaissance foundation encourages and promotes preservation and development of Knox County’s historic heritage. The organization is open to anyone interested and willing to contribute to its mission.