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In spite of a year-long delay due to bureaucratic red tape, renovation and construction is well under way. Due to this delay, there was a $400,000 shortfall to complete the project. The Society went forward with the project as existing grants would have expired.
General contractor, J. P. Cullen & Sons, Inc., began demolition in the summer of 2004. Construction of the addition began in October.
Here are some photos of the project.
Archeology began in 2003. Corners of the former Goodrich block were
excavated and cataloged as well as other excavations in selected areas that would
be disturbed by the construction. Over 10,000 artifacts were removed and
cataloged by archeologist, Bob Fay. Bob returned in 2004 when the
construction began. Another 10,000 artifacts were removed and are being
cataloged. Some of the items found were crockery, bottles, clay pipe
stems, square nails, tableware, jewelry and window glass.
The larger cracks are being filled while lime mortar expert, John Speweik of U.S.
Heritage Group is training workers to use lime mortar.
June 2004--The scaffolding is up.
The porch and outside stairway are removed from the Country Store.
Masons
repair damaged brick on the Country Store.
The
door that was at the top of the outside stairs that were removed has been
bricked in.
The 1980 finish is removed as well as any loose sub-layer. Interesting facts
about the construction were revealed.
The
seam you see in this photo tells a lot. In fact, it changes what has been
accepted about the construction of the building. Up until now it was
believed blocks one through five were built at the same time. The section
to the right of the seam is the north wall of block two. You can see that
there is a finish layer just to the right of the seam. That indicates that
the north wall of block two was once an outside wall.
In
this photo of the front wall of block one, you will notice definite horizontal layers. These layers are
contrary to the construction methods used in the hexagon. This tells
us that this wall was not made of poured "grout" (lime mortar),
rather it was layered with the "grout."
The two facts listed above tell us that block one was probably built between the existing hexagon and block two after both were completed.
Here
you can see the outline of one of the original gables that crowned the top of
the Milton House and Goodrich block prior to the 1867 addition of the third
floor to the hexagon.
Little by little the old is replaced with
new.
The
exterior is completed.
Excavation
for the addition begins.
Excavation
is temporarily halted when an old cistern is uncovered.
Some
of the foundation walls are in. The corner at the top left will remain
open until the floor is laid to allow equipment access.
First
floor concrete decking is in.
New
beams are installed in the cellar of the hexagon.
The
inadequate electrical is brought up to code and fire alarm/suppression and
heating systems are installed.
Interior
walls must go in before the second floor decking is installed.
The
pre-cast concrete exterior walls are delivered by truck . . .
. . . and hoisted into place.
The
process is repeated for the second floor.
Work will continue through the spring. The original building will be available for tours as usual this spring and summer while work continues on the addition.
The addition will be made watertight and secure but completion will be postponed until remaining funds are raised.
This is where you can help. $125,000 is needed but any amount is welcome.
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Updated January 15, 2006