CPA 2015-2016
TO: Brian Adams, Chairman of the Community Preservation Committee
Sarah LaValley and John Frey, Department of Planning & Sustainability, City of Northampton
FROM: Laurie Sanders
& Betty Sharpe, Co-Directors
Date: February 13, 2017
Summary
The 2015-2106 CPA grant awarded to Historic Northampton made it possible for our organization to move forward with several
important projects that, individually and collectively, have helped to ensure that our three historic homes (Damon House, 1813; Parsons House, 1719; and Shepherd House, 1796) and the
40,000+ collection items are safely and securely stored, preserved and cared for.
Of the list of projects included in the grant proposal, we were able to tackle several of the most
pressing last year, including work on the sills on Parsons, several important roof repairs on Shepherd House, and all new gutters and a new roof of Damon. The new roof means that for
the first times in years there are no leaks in the Damon House! This has allowed us to begin re-arranging the textile collection on the second floor and fix some of the most seriously
water-damaged ceilings on the first floor. This winter a carpenter replaced a large section of collapsing plaster in the central room and a professional painter has been volunteering
her services, providing final prep work, applying sealants and adding new coats of paint in three different rooms. The place is looking better and better!
Our plan is to address the
remaining tasks this year (see summaries and timeline below). That said, as you review the list of what’s been done and what’s still pending, you may notice a few projects missing. We
were able, for instance, to eliminate the need for renting off-site storage by moving artifacts from one building to another, which saved $4,000. We also had a stone mason and other
professional carpenters assess whether the front steps of the Damon House were contributing to water problems in the basement. After looking at the angle of the steps and its position,
they all agreed that the steps were not part of the problem, which eliminated the need to complete this action item.
During this summer’s work, we did, however, discover a new problem.
It turns out that the Goshen stone patio next to the Damon Education Center has settled and is pitched toward the building. This angle is another reason why rainwater and snowmelt has
seeped into the back basement of the Damon House. In a meeting this weekend (February 11, 2017) with the building sub-committee of the strategic planning committee, we agreed that the
simplest way to solve this problem is to remove the stone patio, grade the soil away from the building and seed the area with grass.
Our records indicate that $91,107.26 of the $131,310
total grant award have been spent and reimbursed, leaving a balance of $40,202.74. The remainder of this document summarizes the projects that have been completed at each house as well
as the tasks that still remain.
If you have any questions regarding the work or if you or a member of the CPC would like to make a site visit, we’d be delighted to show you our progress.
Again, our sincere thanks to the CPC, staff and City Council for your confidence in our organization.
Damon House
Alicia Spence, timber framing expert, was hired as a consultant to further assess the support posts and/or sills that are failing and causing the stress cracks and floors
to sink. (2016)
A new roof and gutters were installed on the entire building. As an added bonus, the contractor added in the Gazebo for the cost of materials. (2016)
After the front
basement was cleaned and the artifacts removed, contractors built wooden framing along the foundation walls. This area was subsequently covered with a waterproof insulation, which will
prevent water from entering and heat from leaving. As a final step, sheetrock was installed and painted to create a clean, modern storage space. (2016)
New shelving was purchased, prepped
and the cleaned, organized collections were replaced. Clear plastic sheeting was placed around the shelving to protect the artifacts from dust. (2016)
The gas moratorium precluded our
ability to purchase gas-fired furnaces as described in the original grant. In lieu of this, Roth-oil tanks were installed in both basements. The tanks are double-walled, galvanized steel,
which reduces the risk of a leak and makes them safer for human health and the environment. (2016, 2017)
Electrical work was done in the front and back basements to improve and modernize
the outdated lighting. It is now all energy-efficient and LED. (2016, 2017)
The unneeded, dry-rotted windows in the rear of the building were removed and new siding was feathered in
and painted. Rotted trim boards were also replaced and given a primer coat of paint. (2016)
In the back basement, the walls were framed in anticipation of waterproofing and insulation
work. (2016, 2017)
The balustrade above front door was removed in anticipation of its restoration. (2016)
Still pending & to be completed in 2017
Install waterproofing and insulation
in the back basement. (Winter)
Install outside ventilation system for oil furnace to improve functioning of furnaces in front and back basements and eliminate exhaust odors. (Winter)
Repair
moldy stairwell in back basement. (Winter)
Restore, paint and re-install ornamental balustrade above front door. (Winter)
Frame and sheetrock walls around oil furnace(s) to protect collections
in case of puff-backs, soot, etc. (Spring)
Remove, clean and organize remaining artifacts in back basement. (Spring)
Repair and paint balustrade on main roof. (Spring)
Replace rotting
interior sill and add supports in the center of the building and in the front basement. (Spring)
Remove brick veranda and eliminate veranda lip to comply with ADA standards. Repair portico
bases and install gravel and flagstone. Remove Goshen stone patio, grade soil away from building, loam and seed with grass. (Summer)
Replace leaking bulkhead and rotten section of sill
below it. (Summer)
Complete repairs to brick walkway to eliminate puddling. (We will keep this at a minimum as we are developing a strategic plan that includes a comprehensive re-working of the entry and
paths on our campus.) (Summer)
Install an ADA door. (Fall)
Parsons House
An electrician was hired to remove all of the remaining knob & tube wiring and replace it with modern Romex.
In addition, the old lighting fixtures were removed and new, safe lighting fixtures were installed throughout much of the Parsons House.
The porch on the east side of the building
was removed and the sill below it was replaced with a piece of white oak. All of the decking (which is above part of the cellar) was replaced and painted. To reduce moisture problems
and create a grade so that any water will drain away from the building, the earth along the front of the porch (about 3 feet) was removed, the soil grade was angled so that it pitches
away from the building, a vapor barrier was laid down, and then covered with crushed stone. The posts were replaced and painted.
A 20th century mudroom/shed was removed in order to
better access a severely rotted sill below the back ell. The sill was replaced with a single white oak timber and new clapboard siding was added to the walls where the old material was
rotten, damaged or non-existent. In removing the shed, the remains of a brick-lined well were revealed. The well and vicinity will be the focus of a 2-3 day archaeological dig in June,
2017.
The sill on the west side of the 19th-century ell was removed and replaced with a locally-sourced, white oak beam.
The mullions in an attic window were repaired. (After consulting
with a professional carpenter, we have decided to hold off on getting the three sashes listed in the original grant. We will fix/replace these when the building is painted).
The post
bases on the side porch were repaired.
Still pending & to be completed in 2017
Grade front of building and install vapor barrier so that the drainage is directed away from the building.
(Spring)
Wash and paint the building where needed (i.e. former porch and mudroom/shed) and in front of the house where the paint is peeling. (Summer)
Replace the decking on the small
side porch (Spring/Summer)