Historic Preservation Projects
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THE PRESERVATION PARTNERSHIP WEARE, NEW HAMPSHIRE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS Since early 1977, The Preservation Partnership has specialized in historic preservation projects, with particular emphasis on New England town facilities. In addition to the projects described here, lists of historic Municipal Offices, Public Safety Facilities and Library Projects are also available. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH Concord, NH Inspection and Cyclical Maintenance Plan 2007 We are working with church authorities to formulate a timely maintenance plan for this fine and imposing granite church, donated by Mary Baker Eddy herself not long before her death, and designed by Boston medievalist Francis R. Allen, best known for his buildings at Middlebury College (Norman Williams, 603. 228 2812). REBUILDING OF CITY HALL STEPS Franklin, NH Documents written, construction to proceed shortly 2007 This is a restoration of unusual front steps, some granite and some cast iron with glass prisms to light the basement. The project will require that a temporary all-weather enclosure be built around the work site, covering the sidewalk. (Brian Barry, 603.512 2111) GLOUCESTER ARCHIVES PROJECT Gloucester, Massachusetts Cost to be determined 2007 We have been retained to design an on-site archive vault for Gloucester’s remarkable Second Empire city hall, whose five towers on a hill stand like a beacon for the city’s famous fishermen. This project has led to suggestions for restoration and expansion of the whole complex, embraced by the mayor, and the matter is before city council. (Ms. Sarah Dunlap, archivist, 978. 282 3943) MILFORD TOWN HALL Milford, Massachusetts $1,000,000 2007 Starting in 1997, we conserved the entire building envelope, selecting appropriate historic colors, and specifying thorough preparation and epoxy conservation of exterior surfaces and trims. An elaborate and ornate tower was included in our meticulous restoration. Other special tasks included gold-leafing, and the chemical stripping and refinishing of carved foliate medallions. The finished project drew local rave reviews for the way town hall was returned to its original elegance and beauty. Following an equally successful repainting eight years later, the Selectmen asked us to put an end to tower leaks that had been a problem ever since hurricane damage was hastily repaired fifty years ago, and there also followed the restoration of the Great Hall and the historic town clock, also stopped by the hurricane. A current reflooring project is now next (Louis J. Celozzi, Executive Secretary, 508/634-2303). THE PRESERVATION PARTNERSHIP WEARE, NEW HAMPSHIRE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS CONTOOCOOK RAILROAD DEPOT Contoocook, NH $350,000 2006 This small but exacting restoration began with physical investigation and a Historic Structure Report, and was followed by a two-phase rehabilitation to roll back this historic depot, inside and out, to c.1900 for community and exhibit use. After a complete exterior restoration, selected rooms were restored to their precise turn-of- the-century appearance, while other interior space was used to introduce such new components of code compliance and accessibility as handicapped washrooms, a lift, and a second means of egress. The project won the lead 2006 preservation award from Inherit New Hampshire. ( Chip Chesley, chair, Contoocook Riverway Assoc., 603/424 5137). KENNEDY PARK Fall River, Massachusetts $600,000 2003 Our work on this historic Olmsted park encompassed not only landscape features, but the rebuilding of an Olmsted scenic overlook that had been destroyed by fire, and the conversion of the “Ladies’ Comfort Station” (yes, a washroom) into Park Department Headquarters. Director Richard Kitchen (508. 324 2550), who loves his new office, will comment. MILFORD MEMORIAL BUILDING Milford, Massachusetts $1,700,000 2002 This historic granite monument, built by the GAR to honor Milord’s Civil War veterans, has been meticulously restored to its 1884 grandeur, and is used as a community center for the performing arts. The restoration has brought back period trim and decorative plaster, lovely chandeliers, specially-woven rugs and custom wallpapers. The building has become fully code compliant, with a new elevator, modern accessible bathrooms on every floor, and a safe, internal stair tower as well as its stunning original granite helicoidal stairway. Every square foot of its original varnished woodwork, marble walls and coffered ceilings are now resplendent. (Dominic D`Allessandro, comm. chair, 508. 473 5616). HILLSBOROUGH SOCIAL SERVICES CENTER Hillsborough, NH $350,000 2002 The town of Hillsborough owns a rare Early Gothic Revival house, The Gables, with a barn that has been put to various uses (fire station, garage, youth center, etc.) over the years. Our unfunded design would have linked these two original structures by a third to form a multi-purpose Community Services Center that would have helped to revitalize and beautify the center of town. The Gables would have been fully restored as part of the project, to enhance community pride. No funding was secured in spite of multiple attempts (James Coffey, Town Administrator, 603. 464 3877). THE PRESERVATION PARTNERSHIP WEARE, NEW HAMPSHIRE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS OLD HILLSBOROUGH FIRE STATION Hillsborough, NH Volunteer effort 2002 The Town of Hillsborough repurchased this historic former fire station while we were engaged with the last project, and we worked pro bono with the town’s firemen and historical commission to provide plans for the restoration of this landmark as a community museum. In the meanwhile, the town and volunteer effort have finished a lovely, small park between the fire station and Main Street, from which a view of the fire station and its unusual pagoda-like tower can be enjoyed. (Jane Waters, 603. 464 4031; Darin La Bier, 603. 464 3477). FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Somersworth, NH $250,000 2002 In Somersworth, this was a Community Development project aimed at creating a renascent image of the town by providing a corridor of restored properties on Main Street, just before City Hall. Two facades were completed, of which one, the Nard Appliance store, won a top Main Street Award. MENDON TOWN HALL Mendon, Massachusetts $500.000 2001 Ostensibly a grant-funded accessibility project for a small, historic town hall, this MHC-supervised project ended up achieving a complete envelope conservation, a rear elevator and washroom addition, and extensive interior restoration, including a beautiful refurbishing of the now-accessible Great Hall. (Wayne T. Darragh, project manager, 617. 542 3300x310). SHAKER CONFERENCE CENTER, MCI Shirley, Massachusetts $1,500,000 1999 The prison campus of the Massachusetts Correctional Institute at Shirley was once an important Shaker village. We completely restored an old Church Family House to serve as a State Conference Center. This fine structure, the oldest on site, was frightfully damaged and altered when it was converted to a boys’ reformatory years ago. We have now restored it to its former simple elegance and beauty. (Tom Ostler, DCAM Construction Coordinator, 617/727-4050 ext. 558). HENRY DAVID THOREAU BIRTHPLACE Concord, Massachusetts Feasibility Study 2001 Our firm completed a thorough study of this national landmark, the birthplace of our greatest American writer and philosopher. The house in which he was born will be meticulously conserved, and will house a variety of public and educational activities. (Marcia Rasmussen, Town Planner, 978/318-3290). THE PRESERVATION PARTNERSHIP WEARE, NEW HAMPSHIRE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF NEWPORT COUNTY Newport, RI Several Millions cumulatively 1978-1998 We conducted a complete physical investigation of all properties in 1983, and again in 1993. Condition reports were submitted each time for all museum mansions and buildings. Over the years, we have undertaken complete exterior conservation of the Breakers and millions of dollars of repairs and conservation at The Elms, Rosecliffe, Marble House, Kingscote and Chateau-sur-Mer. Our work has included disassembly and reconstruction of entire terraces, extensive roof and flashing conservation, and masonry repairs of every possible description. For the PSNC, we pioneered work in epoxy repair of stone and in the conservation of decorative ironwork, garden walls, exterior painted finishes and sculpture. (Curt Genga, Supervisor of Properties, 401/847-1000 ext. 115). THE ANTIQUARIAN AND LANDMARKS SOCIETY Hartford, CT $300,000 1998 We produced an innovative Historic Structures Report (HSR) and then executed extensive conservation of the Hathaway House in Suffield, which contains some of the finest original French wallpapers in America. (Angus Murdoch, Executive Director, 203/247-8996). AETNA LIFE AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY Hartford, CT $12,000,000 1986-88 We provided full architectural services for the exterior conservation and repair of the head office complex, the largest period-style building ever erected in America, covering seven city blocks, as well as an investigative report and recommendations for the repair of their million-square foot steel and glass tower addition. Our work, which required physical presence on site by several of our architects for two years, included full contract documents and close supervision of brick and stone conservation, stone repairs, window replacement, and acres of roofing and flashing work. Thousands of individual spalled bricks were chalked and replaced, and both limestone and sandstone