Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Working on the windows: Shane Esser (grey) and Mitch Alfred (black) from Fromm Framing to Finish work on replacing the windows at the historic Riverside Park Environmental Learning Center.

NEW ULM — The windows at the Environmental Learning Center in Riverside Park are in the process of being replaced.

The update to the former Franklin School building is part of a long-term plan to renovate the historic building. The city received private donations to cover the of replacing nine windows.

New Ulm Park and Rec Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ryan Weier said the idea is to replace the windows with more modern energy-efficient materials that resemble the historic look of the former Franklin School.

The city had to make an educated guess on the original look of the building, because no color photographs of the original windows exist.

For decades, portions of the windows were covered and filled with insulation. Weier guessed the city was trying to be energy efficient when the building was converted into housing for military veterans in the 1940s.

Several windows were boarded around that time. The ceiling was lowered in the 1940s, and the top portion of the windows were covered.

This project uncovers the windows, bringing the Environmental Learning Center back in line with its school-house style, yet remaining energy efficient.

The window replacement project is being conducted by Fromm Framing to Finishing. The window replacement is expected to be finished this week.

The windows were the first on the list of renovations for the park building. Weier said the next likely improvement will be the historic building’s front door.