Millers Flat Bakehouse and Museum Trust treasurer Hilary McKenzie said a $30,000 grant from the Central Lakes Trust towards replacing the floor in the 120-year-old building was wonderful.
It was a welcome boost to the trust’s own funds and if other grant applications came through, the building would have a solid base from which to start the next tourist season.
Mrs McKenzie said when the building was renovated nearly 10 years ago the piles under the exterior walls were replaced so the building was secure but the floor was not done due to the cost.
The building was erected straight on to earth below with no foundation.
That had taken a toll over the past century and the floor was "like a sponge" in places, she said.
"Strategic placement of furniture stops people walking over the softest parts.
"And the big mat covers the worst of the patches."
The plan was to remove the existing floor, excavate underneath and lay a concrete foundation before replacing the wooden floor.
While it would be ideal to reuse the existing floorboards it was unlikely they would be in good enough condition, she said.
Central Lakes Trust had been a longtime and generous supporter of the trust, Mrs McKenzie said.
"We could not have restored the bakehouse without Central Lakes Trust support," she said.
The bakehouse had the original brick oven, which had been used until recently.
However, that also needed significant amounts of money spent on it to restore it to a usable state.
While open from spring to autumn the bakehouse hosted tourists from all around the world as well as school groups and clubs with an interest in history.
