The Workshop - It All Started with a New Tractor
By Margaret Magnus
The idea of building of a new Workshop started on January 13, 2007, at a work party in honor of Agnes Baron’s 100th birthday.*
THE KUBOTA TRACTOR and its three major implements created the ability to do more in less time. (Photo: Ray Johnston, 2007)
Whenever individuals are doing the manual labor that has been one of the hallmarks of Meher Mount — pulling weeds, trimming trees, cutting tall grasses by hand, and hauling trash and debris — the discussion always turns to how to make the tasks easier.
Caretaker Ray Johnston identified one solution: a tractor. Days later, Meher Mount received a $40,000 donation — $20,000 for the tractor and $20,000 for a ‘fireproof’ building to house the tractor.
Within months Ray had researched the options and made a recommendation to the Board of Directors to purchase a Kubota tractor with attachable implements, including a grass cutter, disk harrow, and box blades for just under $20,000.
The fireproof garage was another matter.
THE ORIGINAL FARMHOUSE AND WORKSHOP on the property. This is the site of the new Workshop completed in 2012. (Archive photo, possibly 1950s.)
The 1985 New Life Fire
THE REMAINS OF THE FARMHOUSE and workshop after the October 14, 1985 New Life Fire. This is the site of the new Workshop completed in 2012. (Sam Ervin photo, October 1985.)
The donor had specified a ‘fireproof’ workshop because on October 15, 1985, a fire had swept through the Upper Ojai Valley destroying all the buildings, equipment, and vehicles at Meher Mount.
The date of this fire — October 14, 1985 — coincided with the start of Meher Baba’s New Life in India on October 18, 1949. Hence, it became known as the ‘New Life Fire’ at Meher Mount. Officially, it was the Ferndale Fire.
A ‘Temporary’ Barn Lasts 25 Years
THE ‘TEMPORARY’ WORKSHOP built in 1985 with found materials. There were subsequent repairs and a door replacement in later years. (David McNeely photo, 2008.)
After the New Life Fire, Agnes Baron asked a volunteer to build a shed to replace the garage that had burned to the ground.
“The barn was basically meant to be temporary,” recalled David McNeely.
"At that time there was no money and no shelter for anything. What I did on the barn was triage: meant to be basically a tent to protect the few things that survived the fire. At the time, we couldn't even afford a tent.
“We did not purchase any materials except a few nails,” David continued. “I picked through the lumber and cut off most of what had termite damage, but not all.
“I sistered pieces together to make up the length I needed because not much was long enough. I braced minimally because there simply wasn't much material.
“My recollection is that there is no membrane (no plywood on walls or roof to create a plane that would resist racking). I straightened out many damaged pieces of corrugated sheeting for the roof and used it even though it was full of holes and rust.”
The ‘temporary’ shed was used for almost 25 years as the only workshop/storage area for the property.
During discussions of a replacement, David emailed the board saying, “Please, just tear it down. It’s time.”
THE DOWNHILL SIDE of the ‘temporary’ workshop built in 1985. A side "porch" addition had been slightly upgraded to provide a pottery workshop for Caretaker Lilly Weichberger in 2005. (Margaret Magnus photo, 2010.)
Guidelines for the Workshop
THE CONCEPTUAL DRAWING of the Workshop and the Topa Topa Patio. (Designer: Byron Pinckert, 2012)
Two years after the initial donation for a fire-proof garage was made in 2007, the scope and concept for the Workshop were decided.
A building made of "fireproof" or at least fire-resistant materials
Termite-proof materials
An accessible site that does not require much additional preparation
A building large enough to accommodate the tractor, a ride-on mower and tools, and a workshop area
Space for general storage that is easily accessible
Electrical outlets and lighting
Access to water
Low long-term maintenance
Based on these criteria, the Board chose to build a concrete building with a steel roof. It was to be built on the original site of the farmhouse/garage and the existing location of the ‘temporary’ barn.
The site design called for a patio beside the Workshop to take advantage of the view of the Topa Topa Bluffs.
The Project Is Ready to Move Forward
LAYING THE FOUNDATION for the new workshop and setting up the concrete block walls with rebar. (Photo: Leslie Bridger, 2012)
It was time to find a contractor. The concrete and steel construction was not typical for the Ojai area. At least two potential contractors tried to talk Meher Mount into the more traditional wood frame and stucco approach.
After spending the summer of 2009 talking to contractors and securing bids, Meher Mount found an individual and a firm, Phil Riege of Coastal Constructors, who would take on the project for a reasonable cost.
In 2010, the construction and engineering plans were submitted to Ventura County for approval. As with any project at Meher Mount, there were some unforeseen delays, obstacles, and plan changes.
Construction Starts with Demolition
DEMOLITION starts with the foundation of the farmhouse and garage that existed when the property was purchased in 1946. (Photo: Leslie Bridger, 2011)
On Thursday, January 20, 2011, the project began with the demolition of the existing ‘temporary’ barn. Two dumpster-type containers were filled with demolition debris and removed from the site – one full of wood and the other of concrete.
The construction proceeded with some setbacks — building a new leach line for the septic tank, rain delays, faulty equipment and general construction issues.
On May 3, 2012, Caretaker Leslie Bridger, who with his wife, Samantha, had arrived as Caretakers just as the Workshop building project was actually getting underway, sent out this email to the Board of Directors:
“You will all be pleased to hear that the Workshop has passed its final inspection today and is complete. Phil [Riege of Coastal Constructors] will return at a later date to paint the side doors. I suggest a walk through inspection ASAP.”
Leslie Bridger, Byron Pinckert, Sam Ervin, and Phil Riege did the final walk through on May 18, 2012 and signed off on the building.
Days later Leslie began moving the equipment that had been stored outside under tarps for more than a year back into the new building.
When the final bill was paid with changes, additions, and adjustments, the total cost of the project was $123,668 — all of which was covered by donations for the project.
THE COMPLETED WORKSHOP made of scored, split-face concrete and steel roof to meet the requirements of a ‘fireproof’ garage for the new tractor. (Photo: Rebecca Bridger, 2013)
The Workshop Is Dedicated on August 4, 2012
BOARD PRESIDENT Sam Ervin cutting the ribbon to honor the official completion of the Workshop at the 2012 celebration of the anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba’s visit to Meher Mount on August 2, 1956. (Photo: Nancy Pinckert)
No project this big is complete without a celebration.
The 2012 Anniversary Celebration of Avatar Meher Baba’s 1956 visit to Meher Mount included the dedication and ribbon cutting for the formal opening of the Workshop.
A Postscript: New Tools
CARETAKER LESLIE BRIDGER is thrilled with the new work table donated for the Workshop. (Photo: Samantha Bridger, 2012
The new Workshop ends with a tool story. To completely furnish the Workshop, Leslie Bridger created a “Tool Wish List” on Amazon. In July 2012, the tools began arriving at Meher Mount, marking the completion of this phase of the Workshop.
*Agnes Baron, born on January 17, 1907, was a co-founder of Meher Mount who cared for the property for Avatar Meher Baba from 1946 until her death in 1994.