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Hauberg Carriage House Grand Opening

Carriage House Grand Opening at the Hauberg Estate.
WVIK News
Carriage House Grand Opening at the Hauberg Estate.

Seven years after planning began, a key part of the Hauberg Estate in Rock Island has re-opened. Friday, the Friends of the Hauberg Civic Center Foundation held an open house to celebrate the renovation of the ground floor of the Carriage House.

Deb Kuntzi, Executive Director of the Friends of Hauberg Civic Center Foundation.
WVIK News
Deb Kuntzi, Executive Director of the Friends of Hauberg Civic Center Foundation.

Executive Director Deb Kuntzi says it cost $600,000 with money from the city and fundraising by the foundation.

"But the pandemic kind of delayed some things, of course, and then it has been, I'd say, a good four years of trying to get the funding."

The renovations included new windows, doors, plumbing, fire sprinklers, and a new floor and boiler.

The Hauberg family was well-known for its philanthropy, building the Y-M and Y-W C-A's, as well as the Weston settlement, a home for abused women.

"They very much gave back to the community and when we got here, a lot of that was forgotten, so we've had to do a lot of education to bring it back."

The Carriage House is open for special events and the property hosts many local residents walking their dogs. It's open Fridays from 1-7 p.m. for tours, plus the gift shop and bar.

The newly renovated first floor of the Hauberg Carriage House ready for special events.
WVIK News
The newly renovated first floor of the Hauberg Carriage House ready for special events.

Kuntzi says their next project is the second floor of the Carriage House, which they call Andrew's Place, named for Andrew Rietz, who was the Hauberg's driver for 50 years and lived there.

Community