Historic Northampton Update and Extension Request.docDear Brian, Sarah and Members of the CPC,
Since our last report, Historic Northampton has continued to move forward on improvements to the grounds and buildings and the organization’s overall well-being and sustainability. Since
pictures are worth 1,000 words, I have attached two documents: (1) a 30-slide series, which Betty Sharpe presented at a conference in 2018 and which shows the dramatic changes to the
buildings and grounds since the first CPC award was granted in 2015, and (2) Historic Northampton's top 10 highlights of 2018.
As I’ve written in earlier correspondence, the grants awarded to Historic Northampton by the CPC have been absolutely critical to the organization’s revitalization. They have provided
the foundation, literally and metaphorically, for Historic Northampton to rebuild, restore and preserve its buildings, collections, grounds and reputation.
GRANT CPC 219-16
With respect to CPC grant 219-16, as of our last report, approximately $25,000 remained in the account and several actions remained incomplete. Since then, we have installed an automatic
ADA button, made adjustments to correct drainage issues, repaired a sill, built a new bulkhead and continued to improve climate conditions.
We also asked expert timber framer Alicia Spence to consult on the status of the underpinnings of the Damon House. Shoring up this area was an activity identified in the initial grant.
In Alicia’s opinion, the amount of funds earmarked would not provide meaningful improvements. Furthermore, in her estimation, there is no imminent risk of structural failure and she
recommended holding off until we secure sufficient funds to do the job properly and completely (~$30,000).
WORK ACCOMPLISHED SINCE JULY 2018
PRESERVATION-CONTINUED IMPROVEMENTS IN CLIMATE CONDITIONS
Within the scope of work in this grant, a focus has been to improve the climate conditions in Damon House and Damon Education Center, where the bulk of our 40,000 artifacts are stored. Our
goal is to achieve consistent, museum-quality conditions and ensure long-term preservation of the items that have been entrusted to the museum.
To this end, we have continued to work with Rick Kerschner, a Vermont-based expert on climate conditions and preservation for historic house museums. Last year, as part of his recommendations,
we installed humidity and temperature monitors at 2 locations in the Parsons House and 5 places in the Damon House and Damon Education Center. These data have pinpointed problem areas
and enabled us to make adjustments, many of which are simple fixes, such as reducing heat by wrapping furnace ducts, closing off heat vents, opening AC vents and tweaking humidity levels
with dehumidifiers in summer and humidifiers in winter.
In Winter 2017 we purchased five humidifiers for the Damon House, but they required repeated filling on a single day. This year, we used CPC funds to purchase 4 additional humidifiers
for the Damon House, for a total of 4 humidifiers in the front basement, 3 on the first floor and 2 on the second floor. When the furnace is running and the heat is on, these are critical
to maintaining proper humidity levels. In fact, there were many days when the humidifiers used more than 20 gallons of water per day! This winter, with 9 humidifiers operating, we
were able to maintain proper humidity levels (30-45%) for the first time in the organization’s history. This is a major and important improvement for the historic furniture (front
basement), archives and furniture (first floor), and clothing and textile collection (2nd floor).
A related project is the work we’ve done to the second floor windows in the Damon House. During the summer, this section of the building has higher-than-recommended temperatures, principally
because heat from the sun is coming through the windows. The blinds on the windows eliminate the risk of UV penetration, but they did not adequately block heat from the sun.
To lower the summer temperatures, our first step was to block off some of the downstairs AC vents, which forced more cold air upstairs. That approach, while expeditious, didn’t address
the fundamental problem and also required more electrical consumption.
To address the root of the problem and reduce our reliance on air-conditioning, we worked with Rick Kerschner and a local contractor, Douglas Thayer, to design a fire-proof, insulative
panel with a black backing (facing the street) that would be installed in each of the upstairs windows. These panels effectively block both heat and UV from coming in and help maintain
cooler, year-round temperatures.
Prior to installing the panels, we first needed to make repairs to the windows. This past year, with the help of volunteers, we scraped the flaking paint from the mullions and window
cases (caused from past water damage due to rotten gutters and roof leaks) and then primered, painted, sealed and washed all the windows. Since then, Douglas and his crew have installed
approximately half of the panels, with the remaining panels going in later this spring.
DRAINAGE ISSUES: FAILED BRICK WALKWAY
Another major issue in the CPC grant that we have addressed has been the failed brick walkway and rotten posts near the museum’s main entrance. During the 1986 construction of the Damon
Education building, proper footings were not installed and over time the walkway began to slump. The pitch was toward the building, which meant that rain water drained toward the foundation
and occasionally found its way into the basement.
In the initial grant application, the plan was to remove the failed walkway, create a new base and then re-install bricks and posts ($16,755). During the last 2 years, we’ve realized
that not only is the brick walkway out of compliance with ADA standards, but it was too narrow for any meaningful use.
Last summer we came up with a better plan that solved the failing walkway/drainage problem, addressed the ADA issue and also met a key need for the museum: upon approval from Sarah LaValley,
a crew from D.A. Sullivan removed the brick, laid a new floor, and added a new exterior wall. A small ramp will soon be added to the remaining brick near the new exit door, which will
be ADA-compliant. The new, much needed storage space will hold chairs, tables, museum supplies and also provide an area for school groups to store their backpacks. These renovations,
aside from solving the pre-existing drainage problems, will be a huge asset when we re-open the museum and new exhibit later this spring.
Furthermore, the new closet/exterior wall meets Stretch Code requirements and has all new LED lighting. As part of this work (but separate from CPC funding), there will soon be new insulation
above the Damon Education Center, new storage area and above the gift shop.
BUILDING PRESERVATION: REPAIRED SILL & NEW BULKHEAD
When this grant was submitted, a bulkhead and sill along the side of the 1813 Damon House had suffered water damage and serious dry rot. Last fall master timber framer Alicia Spence
removed the rotted section of sill and replaced it
with a new section of white oak. She also replaced the rotten clapboards and rebuilt the entire bulkhead, adding a flashing barrier beneath the clapboards to prevent water from entering. Once
the weather warms, volunteers will paint a finish coat on the bulkhead.
BUDGET UPDATE & REQUEST FOR EXTENSION
The work described above has cost Historic Northampton approximately $20,700 (see attached file). Because this grant expires this month, we respectfully request an extension of six
months in order to expend the remaining balance of $4,965.95.
With these funds, we intend to complete the insulative panel work on the windows (~$2,500—although some is completed, we have not yet been billed for any of the work accomplished by
the contractor) and use the rest of the grant money to finish the electrical work in the Parsons House (2 outlets & switches) and make critical repairs to the Shepherd House porch.
Thank you for support and please do not hesitate to be in touch with any questions you might have about the work completed or in regard to our request for an extension.
We’d welcome visits by members of the CPC and would love to give you a behind-the-scenes tour.
Sincerely,
Laurie