We have worked on many restoration projects with properties on the National Register of Historic Places.
A typical job might require dismantling a center chimney that is decrepit from years of neglect and settling. Often fireplaces have been removed or bricked up to create furnace flues, etc. We rebuild the stonework in the basement, creating a proper boiler flue and clean-out. In cases where walls must be removed to get at the chimney we will re-plaster over the original wood lathe using lime plaster.
We rebuild or recreate period fireplaces, install terracotta flue liners and dampers, re-flash at the roof, and finish with a period chimney that meets modern codes, looks original, and is safe for many more generations.
Shaker Brethren’s Workshop & North Family Brethren’s Workshop
We were honored to be asked to rebuild the two chimneys at the Brethren’s Workshop which is part of the Shaker Museum and Library in New Lebanon, NY. The chimneys both needed to be rebuilt from within the attic space and up, some structural problems needed repair, and new marble cap stones were added to the top. (photo credit: Peter Watson) The New Lebanon Shaker property contains an amazing collection of American architecture. We worked with the terrific crew of carpenters and timber framers from Dave Lanoue Inc. The project called for reusing the original bricks and lime mortar to match the original work. It was inspiring to see Architect John Mesick, one of the true experts in the restoration field, climbing around the roof at the age of 80.
Renovation of c. 1803 Federal Mansion, reconstruction included 4 chimneys and 7 fireplaces
Limestone (basement, water table), brick (walls)
Private client
Hudson, NY
Before & After
Stage stop tavern room
18th century stagecoach stop, Albany to Westfield Rd.
Parlor fireplace, 1760, Massachusetts
1820s house, Southern New England
Additional Restorations
“The engineering embodied in an old house is often ancient and intuitive in nature, having evolved from experiments, both successful and unsuccessful, over many generations. What has survived the test of time and nature is a series of craft practices and principles of proven soundness. By understanding these principles, you can glimpse the world and your own house through the mind of the original builder.”
James L. Garvin
–A Building History of Northern New England