Meeting set Feb. 6 in Huntsville as preparations continue for relocating historic presses
Volunteers are being called to assist with the relocation of historic letterpress equipment as Compton’s Letterpress Artisan Guild continues preparations for a multi-day move scheduled for Feb. 8–10.
To coordinate the effort, the guild will host a volunteer meetup at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at 1201 University Ave. in Huntsville. Organizers said the meeting is designed to finalize plans and ensure volunteers are prepared for the upcoming move.
Volunteer meetup details and purpose
According to the guild, the Feb. 6 meetup will focus on confirming volunteer participation, planning transportation and arrival logistics, reviewing waivers and safety procedures, and discussing conditions inside the originating shop where the equipment is currently housed.
The meeting is open to individuals interested in helping with the relocation, particularly those assisting with the initial phase involving smaller equipment and materials.
Volunteers with questions or those who want to confirm participation may contact the guild by email at Accounts@CLAG-TX.org or by phone at 832-640-8141. Additional information is also available through the guild’s online presence on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/p/Comptons-Letterpress-Artisan-Guild-61576840118081/.
Small equipment relocation planned Feb. 8–10
Organizers said the first phase of the move will take place from Feb. 8 through Feb. 10 and will focus on transporting smaller, movable items from Mount Enterprise to Huntsville. Volunteers are expected to meet around 9 a.m. before traveling approximately two and a half hours to the site.
“For the small stuff, we’re not going to have a problem,” one organizer said. “This is all stuff we can put in boxes.”
Items to be moved during this phase include metal type, extra press components, small machines, and furniture that can be lifted and loaded into trucks. Boxes and protective equipment have been secured for the effort.
Organizers said the priority is to move as much material as possible to Huntsville, where it can be handled in a safer and cleaner environment.
“That building is full of lead and asbestos and spiders and termites,” one organizer said, explaining the need for personal protective equipment and careful handling.
Large presses require specialized handling
The relocation of the largest letterpress machines will occur separately and require specialized equipment and experienced operators. Organizers said the presses weigh approximately four to four-and-a-half tons and cannot be moved by standard means.
“We’ve got the people who know how to move it,” one organizer said, citing assistance from individuals experienced in relocating heavy industrial and machining equipment.
Plans call for the large presses to be moved on a Sunday to minimize downtown congestion and reduce the need for permits. Equipment is expected to be loaded on Saturday, transported early Sunday morning, and unloaded later that day.
A telehandler forklift with an 8,000-pound lifting capacity has been scheduled to safely load and unload the presses. Organizers said rental and logistics costs for the heavy equipment total several thousand dollars.
Emphasis on preservation and safety
Organizers stressed that much of the equipment has not been actively used since the mid-1970s and must be handled carefully to preserve its historical and sentimental value.
“The reality is this stuff has been sitting there since about 1975,” one organizer said.
The original owner of the equipment is expected to be present during portions of the move, and volunteers have been instructed to avoid disrupting or damaging any items of historical significance.
Because of safety and liability concerns, organizers said they plan to limit the number of volunteers involved in the heavy equipment move, while encouraging broader participation during the small-item relocation.
Community support and next steps
The guild is a nonprofit organization dedicated to arts and education. Organizers said they are open to in-kind donations or underwriting support to help offset equipment rental costs and will provide appropriate donation acknowledgments.
After the relocation, volunteers will be needed to clean, organize, and restore equipment. Organizers noted that the presses will not be operational immediately after the move and that significant work remains.
“This isn’t something where it comes in and starts running the next day,” one organizer said.
Future fundraising efforts will include an “Adopt a Drawer” program, allowing supporters to sponsor drawers of metal type in exchange for recognition plaques. Organizers said two supporters have already committed to the program.
Those interested in volunteering or learning more about the February move are encouraged to attend the Feb. 6 meetup or contact the guild directly using the provided email or phone number.