For old houses, salvation comes not in the form of a Messiah, but rather, the hands of a talented crew of dedicated builders. I am fortunate to have a large portion of my practice focused on the restoration of wonderful buildings that have fallen prey to the hands of time. It takes a special team of clients, designers and builders who see the value in preserving and restoring these historic gems.
Often with old buildings, there is a palpable sense of history that has little to do with the remaining sticks and bricks that stand before you. Our job is to capture that spirit, by thoroughly documenting the character-defining attributes and developing strategies for bringing the structure up to modern performance standards while preserving the essence of the building.
Our current extensive rehabilitation project is one that has caught the attention of the community. Sited on Main Street, in Manchester, Vermont, it is a contributing building to the Village Historic District. In its heyday, it was a delightful summer home, with wrap-around porches and gracious lawns. When the current owners bought it, the porches were falling off, trees were growing out of the roof and wild animals had taken up residence within.
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| The Independent - Thursday, April 7, 1870 |
Before we could start developing a plan, we spent a great deal of time documenting the existing structure, and trying to establish the chronology of changes that had occurred over the life of the building. Photographs and drawings were made to chronicle the building details that would require re-fabrication. Builder, Paul Mackson, peeled back layers of finishes, and tore out non-load-bearing walls that had been superficially erected to create a warren of rooms. Organic insulation believed to be seaweed and old newspapers were removed from wall cavities. A Wall Street Journal from 1875 and an 1870 issue of The Independent firmly positioned the house in the late 19th century.
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| Ready for jacking! |
A good foundation is paramount to any structures longevity. Once the primary demolition was complete, Connor House Movers came in to jack up the structure off of its assemblage of stone walls that had shifted over the past century and had gaping holes and waterways running through them. Excavators are in the process of digging out the basement. Soon the house will be lowered back onto a clean, dry and insulated basement.
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| Positioned for its new foundation. |
When complete, this village gem will once again be a positive contributor to the charming character of Manchester, Vermont. Its lucky inhabitants will reap the benefits of a tight and energy-efficient home that boasts the conveniences of modern living while maintaining the nostalgic grace of a bygone era.
