History of the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA In the early 1700′s, Harrisburg’s founder John Harris Sr. immigrated to the area from Yorkshire, England after receiving a land grant. When he first arrived, Harris Sr. built a homestead on the bank of the Susquehanna River and established a trading post, and then a successful ferry business …
It’s June. Summer’s seasonal activities and fine weather beckon us outdoors. This, combined with renewed desire for calm, traditional, home-based activities (as well as some necessary lifestyle adjustments secondary to COVID-19), invite us to turn a more appreciative eye to an old friend: the porch. Or veranda. Or portico. Whatever the preferred moniker, porches are …
At first glance, porches and doors may seem like no more than a way to get in or out of a home or business. But there is much more to these architectural gateways. They are frequently exemplary examples of carpentry that give us a peek into the artisanship of our architectural history and have …
There are a variety of tasks that can be done on a regular basis to extend the life of a porch. In addition, a visual inspection of the porch should be made every spring and fall to determine if more in-depth repairs are necessary. Fortunately, ongoing maintenance significantly reduces both the need and cost for …
KEEPING YOUR HISTORIC HOME COOL IN SUMMER is an essential part of living comfortably today. But, how was it done in the past, and what can we do now? We’ve outlined the history and applicable steps for you. 1880’s photo of a British home in India. Image source: Wikipedia’s entry on Punkahs Historic Cooling …
We recently completed a historic porch restoration at the Harris-Cameron mansion in Harrisburg, PA. Part of the project involved fabricating new wood columns to match a few existing column we were salvaging. For that work we turned to Somerset Door & Column Company. For over 100 years, Somerset Door & Column Company has manufactured architectural …
Preservation Spotlight: Somerset Door & Column Company Read More »
[social_share/] History of the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg, PA In the early 1700’s, Harrisburg’s founder John Harris Sr. immigrated to the area from Yorkshire, England after receiving a land grant. When he first arrived, Harris Sr. built a homestead on the bank of the Susquehanna River and established a trading post, and then a successful …
John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion, Harrisburg, PA Read More »
Historic Properties We have Been Involved In Restoring For a printable version of this list, please click here. Public Projects Petersen House Perhaps our most famous project, the Petersen House is the 19th Century house across from Ford’s Theater that President Lincoln died in. We also repaired and replicated the interior and exterior woodwork, including structural …
COFFEE BREAK RECAP – This month’s “coffee break” video recap focuses on various questions and answers related to historic buildings, preservation and restoration. Watch below. VIDEO SUMMARY: Focus: Questions and answers Questions: What is an appropriate Colonial fireplace design? How do you tackle mold on siding? Does an asymmetrical façade/porch on a duplex imply that …
Coffee Break RECAP: July Questions and Answers Edition Read More »
KITCHENS – today, these rooms are so essential to what most people see in a desirable home, that they can be one of the main determinants of whether or not to buy a particular house. These rooms generally serve not only as showplaces, but also as a central socializing spot. However, this was not always …
© 2022 Practical Preservation | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Service