Category Archives: Architectural Conservation

Historic Texas Community Building Gets Extensive Rehab

Posted on May 17, 2017 by rtdgba

The recent restoration of the Casino Hall in La Grange, TX, was a big deal for Fayette County. Built in 1881 by German immigrants, the building was originally a school, but has since served as a fire station, city hall, … Continue reading →

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A Functioning Roof System is the Key to Architectural Preservation

Posted on August 19, 2016 by rtdgba

The Florentine Inn has been standing on West Market Street in Germantown, Ohio for over two hundred years. This longevity is possible for the single reason that a succession of owners managed to keep intact roofing systems for the entire … Continue reading →

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Post and Lintel, the Basic Unit of Construction

Posted on July 14, 2016 by rtdgba

Whether ancient or modern, classic or mundane, the basic unit of construction is the post and lintel, constructed out of stone, steel, concrete or wood. Mortonstones.LLC of Miami tells us how they repaired load bearing, steel post re-inforced brick columns that had … Continue reading →

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Reading the Historic House – – Seeking Clues to Original Layout and Finishes

Posted on June 20, 2016 by rtdgba

Sometimes the artisan is called upon to restore a much altered structure to its original format and finishes and so it was with Leigh Douglas Johnson and the Lt. Gov. Jonathan Hunt House in Vernon, Vermont. This is a task … Continue reading →

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Restoration of Traditional Coquina Stucco or Plaster, St. Augustine.

Posted on June 15, 2016 by rtdgba

At 450 years old, St. Augustine, Florida is considered the oldest major settlement in the United States, and some parts of this building, the Government House Museum, date from at least 1598. The finish is a very traditional masonry coquina … Continue reading →

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Historic American Building Moves–1869 Hotel Pelham

Posted on May 30, 2016 by rtdgba

European visitors to America in the Nineteenth and even Eighteenth Centuries remarked at how readily Americans moved buildings from place to place, even in rural areas. Economic explanations have been offered, relative costs of labor and materials, but a contributing … Continue reading →

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1916 Brick Row House Restoration and Renovation

Posted on May 4, 2016 by rtdgba

The goal is to restore this Richmond, Virginia row house to as near original condition as possible, with a few sensible changes and upgrades. The work will include replacing missing millwork, including a bricked up fireplace mantle, reformatting the kitchen and … Continue reading →

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Traditional Ornamental Iron Railing and Gate, New York Stoop

Posted on April 27, 2016 by rtdgba

Petrillo Ironworks of Brooklyn, NY employed a thoughtful and collaborative approach to this ornamental iron railing and double gate project. The client wanted an historic look and feel, which the fabricator achieved by using very little welding on the project, bolted … Continue reading →

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Damage to Historic Exterior Woodwork by Aggressive Paint Removal

Posted on March 9, 2016 by rtdgba

According to NPS Preservation Brief #10, Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork, “Removing paints down to bare wood surfaces using harsh methods can permanently damage those surfaces; therefore such methods are not recommended.” So what is a harsh method? Pretty … Continue reading →

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Restoration of Board Form Concrete at Art Deco 1932 Olympic Swim Stadium

Posted on March 3, 2016 by rtdgba

California builders have historically used board form concrete in signature buildings, such as cathedrals and city halls, with an assurance that is surprising to the visitor. In the wintry northeast, period use of this material is relegated to the utilitarian, … Continue reading →

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