Scout continues a family legacy for his Eagle project

On Memorial Day in 1976, a group of volunteers, under the direction of Rolf Mahler, began building the Baldwin Historical Museum at 1980 Grand Avenue.

“You cannot love a place if you don’t know anything about it,” Mahler said when asked why he wanted to build the museum.

Forty-two years later, another group of volunteers started work on the site — this time, under the direction of Rolf Mahler’s grandson Peyton. Peyton Mahler chose to fundraise and coordinate repairs to the building’s roof and siding as part of his Eagle Scout project.

“I think it’s fabulous,” Rolf Mahler said.

Peyton Mahler is a boy scout with Troop 182. To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, a member must raise funds for and coordinate a project that benefits his community. He wasn’t allowed, though, to do any of the work — he could only supervise those on the scene.

“I come here often with my family,” he said. “I saw that it needed to be fixed.”

The building houses photos, artifacts and written history of Baldwin’s history and significant events that took place in the community, in addition to worldwide events that could be traced back to the hamlet.

Before Rolf Mahler raised the funds to build the small structure there now, there was just a field.

Erik Mahler, Peyton’s father and president of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, said there have been various updates on the roof and siding throughout the years.

“But now there should be a coordinated effort of better colors to match the brick and other beautiful murals,” Erik Mahler said.

He called the work, “An amazing legacy project.”

The work took place on Saturday and Sunday, with Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Town Councilwoman Erin King-Sweeney stopping by to check on the progress.

Baldwin-based Top Line donated resources and some of its workers to help put on the roof and siding.

Kenneth Arnold, leader of Boy Scout Troop 182, called the project “one of the biggest” he’s ever seen.

“It was a very ambitious project, not many boys do projects of this size but I knew he was up to the challenge to take care of it,” Arnold said. “It’s definitely one of the largest we’ve had.”

The troop leader also called it “special” because it connected Mahler to his roots.