Archive Record
Images
Additional Images [3]
Metadata
Collection |
Sites and Structures Reports |
Archive Number |
HPTSSR32 |
Title |
Sites and Structures Report September 2018 |
Description |
Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County Sites & Structures Report, September 2018 Mouns Jones House Later period and compromised 2d floor boards and joists have been removed; scaffold-shoring installed to support all structural loads normally borne by the wall now under restoration [Image #1, Photo 1, 9/5/18, exterior scaffolding, cantilevered roof-shoring, and work-decking]. The project scope includes: reconstruction of two-story, 18 x 18 feet of displaced and unstable stone wall ranges facing the Schuylkill River; doorway to be re-centered under date-stone and window openings, restored to their original proportions [Image #2, photo 54, 9/18/18, showing new mortar in re-structured and re-proportioned window jamb, as indicated by delineations in masonry] and 3-bay symmetrical fenestration with vertical axis aligned on 1716 date-stone. Progress to date: First story stonework re-laid with lime mortar chemically identical [within 1% tolerance] to early mortar in undisturbed stonework of the house; centered doorway re-established in original dimensions; new wall margins woven ["toothed"] into original end-bays and joined to re-constructed and un-disturbed masonry; Original window-opening locations and dimensions determined and framed with re-pointed stone jamb-work [Image #3, photo 10, 9/27/18]; wall laid-up in bonded and coursed rubble pattern, to be pointed/keyed for plaster interior and historic tooling of the exterior early-period pointing technique; cantilevered stone lintels installed over 3 first-story openings of restored wall [Image #4, Photo 22, 7/10/19], based on and scaled-up from surviving cantilevers spanning eastern window openings [Image #5, Photo 2, 9/21/18, 2d story]; Re-purposed white oak replacement joists re-sawn from early summer or barn beams to original 5" x 8" dimensions, and edge-beaded by joiners as indicated by 1964 photo and 1957 Historic American Building Survey note on drawing; joists were re-pocketed in eastern eaves wall in original locations and elevation, aligned on surviving 1716 joist-leveling plate, and set on replacement plate on the [river-facing] restored wall [Image #6, Photo 33, 9/24/18] donated re-purposed floor boards will be set and leveled as work progresses. 2d story window openings and 1716 date-stone above central doorway will be re-established in documented locations; 2d story walls will be coursed up from leveling plate to rafter plates supporting the roof, applying temporary shoring posts as cantilevered "needle" beams are removed; Hall-Parlor board partition will be hung from the joist immediately south of the axially-aligned doorways. Based on a surviving head-piece from a 2d story window frame, it is historically appropriate to fabricate and install iron-framed, outward-pivoting leaded casement windows for all fenestration of the house; George Douglass House: Rain and heat have delayed plasterwork on the cove cornice under eaves and interior walls. Preparation continues toward plastering the concave framing this fall. Work continues on the structural stabilization of the flooring and its joist-supports. The pent roof on the primary façade and full restoration of the "Best Parlor" will be completed in 2019 [Covid pandemic extended this to 2020]. Morlatton Village Pathways: Stabilized-aggregate paths with stone border/retaining walls have been installed to the four buildings in the Village: e.g., White Horse Tavern [Image #7, Photo 4, 4/29/20]; to the Thun Trail behind the Douglass House [Image #8, Photo 542, 10/23/20], and to the White Horse parking area along Old Philadelphia Pike [Image #9, Photo 37, 9/30/19]; after curing, the paths will be open for foot, wheelchair, and bicycle use by the end of September or sooner, weather permitting. Laurence Ward, December 2020 |
Date |
September 2018 |
Object Name |
Report |
Catalog Number |
1008.01.076 |
Search Terms |
HPTSSR Sites and structures Scaffolding Shoring Doorway Window opening Jamb Bonded stonework Toothed masonry Coursed rubble Cantilever Beaded Joist Leveling Plate Partition Leaded casement Cove Cornice Paths Pathways Masonry Opening |