Archive Record
Images
Additional Images [5]
Metadata
Collection |
Sites and Structures Reports |
Archive Number |
HPTSSR15 |
Title |
Sites and Structures Report, August 2013 |
Description |
Sites & Structures Committee Report for August 14, 2013 meeting of the Board of the Directors of the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County Description: The following is a summary of stabilization, preservation, restoration, and related work planned, completed, and in-progress, including requested Board approval or other action on pending work and projects under consideration: White Horse Tavern: I. Masonry Stabilization: A. Utility-line and duct holes in cellar bearing walls were recklessly cut much larger than necessary during 1970s restoration and subsequent utility retrofits, jeopardizing structure; B. A wall crack inside kitchen door [[Image # 10, 8/9/13] was caused by void in support piers directly below it and subsequent further displacement of stone units from soffit of rough opening. Repaired Aug, 2013. C. An undersized and inadequately supported "lintel" spanning the passageway between the front and back cellars [under the doorway between the two first-floor rooms] is supported on the north only by a 4" block wall remnant, is deflected not bedded in the stone jambs, and ineffectively shimmed. Structurally stabilized August, 2013. D. Significant joint and bed mortar in exterior and interior stonework has disintegrated, from moisture incursion and possibly rodent intrusion in some areas. S&S remediation proposal [Shelley funded as urgent and necessary structural stabilization]: (1) close voids completely with masonry in-fill where no pass-thru is necessary (two critical void areas have been addressed and remedied) ; (2) consolidate masonry around minimum-diameter opening required for piping, ducts, and electric lines, leaving only sufficient opening for future conduit [Image # 11, 796, 8/9/13]. (3) Eric Hansen will shore the floor loads to relieve the temporary "lintel" until a permanent solution is implemented. (4) Masons will deep-point exterior voids, and fully pack, plug and point interior problem areas, primarily in kitchen-hallway [exterior wall of early addition]. II. Winterization A. Attic Insulation. [Materials Shelley funded]; labor estimate, from general funds, $400. Review Frank's proposal re his attic, electric bill, split meter, etc. B. Storm door[s], windows. [Materials Shelley funded]; labor cost unknown; C. Heating oil bids to be obtained; need Board approval for COD terms for best price, or automatic delivery @ higher price. III. Electric service proposal: 1. Move meters and cables underground from building to new pole and to existing panels from cellar. Waiting for estimate and Met Ed requirements. 2. Separate apt. meter. 3. Same program for GDH? IV. Paint WH entry steps and porches; volunteers or paid painters? No grant funding available. Keim House: A. Pent roof and balcony: Work has begun on repairing and consolidating balcony joist-extension ["outlookers"]. New joist cantilevers will be lap-joined and screwed to ends of original outlookers. B. Removal of the 20th century box cornice confirmed that the original cornice was a plastered cove cornice, as appeared to be the case in the vintage photos in archive record #KHPH9. Lainhoff photos sent separately. George Douglass House: A. The mortar-plaque "Datestone", framed in a vernacular aedicule, appears to say 1765, NOT 1763 [Image # 1, photo 3062, 7/17/13]. It also states the owners’ incised initials: "G[eorge]" and "M[ary]" "D[ouglass]" and several symbolic motifs. The plaque continued to decay and several pieces became detached by 2020. They will be consolidated and the tablet will be re-integrated by Museum quality conservation. B. Window work 90% complete. Window frame above front door will be squared. July S&S committee meeting at GDH, consensus to level top edge of shingles of reconstructed pent roof with bed joint under truncated and deflected flashing course as closely as practicable [Image #2, photo 3104, 7/23/13] shows level string-line along object-plane]. Mower: Paul has been coping with overheating and steering problems, which are too expensive to repair- might last this season, not much longer. Suggest fund-raiser/in-kind donation campaign in Newsletter. Mouns Jones Site Archaeology: Chapter 21 archaeologists have continued the project at MJH, focusing on examination of the sub-grade foundation and investigating artifacts and features on the river side of the house. Preliminary findings to date include: 1.Probes under the foundation stonework about two feet deep indicate that there is no cellar under the southern half of the riverside eaves wall [Image #3, photo 3186, 7/26/13]; a similar test will be made north of the existing door. 2. Two large quarry-cut blocks of limestone under the center of the river wall could have been the base- or bed-stones for the sill of the early centered doorway [Image #4, photo 113, 7/2/13]; 3. Substantial segments of below-grade stonework in northern units exterior to MJH foundation [Image #5, photo 3121, 7/23/13]. 4. Electric lines from MFH to MJH are buried about 4.5 feet from the river eaves wall [Image #6, photo 8/10/13, #3525]. 5. A 24" thick below grade masonry wall segment parallel to the riverside eaves wall [Image #7, photo 8/9/13, #774] will be investigated to determine its form, extent, and purpose [possibly a foundation base]. Other masoned stonework, rubble, and river cobbles [Image #8, Photo 8/10/13, #3533] adjacent to, some apparently integrated with, the foundation are being photographed and measured for further consideration. 6. A 4 inch thick and solid stratum of reddish soil [Image #9, photo 8/10/13, #3538]- primarily clay, loam, and stone screenings (possibly floor "paving")- was uncovered west of the underground masonry wall. The extent of this material will be determined to ascertain whether it is bounded by a wall perimeter. Morlatton Village Parking Areas: Amity Township has requested that the Trust control the weeds in the gravel surfaces and around the log perimeter of the parking areas, in accordance with the License agreement. The weedy areas within the lots are being treated, the large poke-weed and ironweed "trees" are being cut or pulled where they intrude into the parking perimeter or conceal the logs, and the border outside the logs must be deep-raked to eliminate overgrowth covering the logs. Necessary materials are payable from Shelley Fund. The White Horse lot weeds are under control. The two areas in the lower village need attention ASAP. Board approval requested for volunteer or paid labor where necessary. Weed control around buildings, poles, fences, trees: payable from general funds or rent credits. Tree work: Dead oak/elm 25 ft. SW of MFH must be cut down; stump to be left in place. Three smaller trees in same area are either leaning or damaged and should also be cut down. The Trust would eventually recoup most of this in firewood value. Volunteers will cut the trunk and limbs to firewood lengths. Low-hanging limbs should be cut from walnut tree SE of MJH. Richard Brown [Rich, Jr.] will cut the trees down for his cost of $400. Board ratification of email approval is requested to proceed with work and for appropriation of funds from general account. Cottage Deck: Zoning permit approved; work substantially complete; Shelley funded. Submitted, Sites & Structures Committee, Laurence Ward, Chair; Updated, Sept 2016 and November, 2020. |
Date |
August 2013 |
Object Name |
REPORT |
Catalog Number |
1008.01.060 |
Search Terms |
HPTSSR Sites and Structures Committee Report cellar structure underground electric Douglass date-stone winterization Archaeology Cove Cornice Electric lines |