Historical Architecture

Another War at Gettysburg

Here’s an interesting debate, one that we’ve discussed before when researching Independence Hall preservation.  This time, the debate is hitting a little closer to home. Gettysburg, specifically.  The Cyclorama Building at Gettysburg, more specifically.   For those who aren’t familiar, the Gettysburg Cyclorama is a 360-degree painting by French artist Paul Philippoteaux that depicts hallmark moments …

Another War at Gettysburg Read More »

Traditional Joinery: What it is and why is it important in preservation?

This great content is for members only! Sign up for a membership and you’ll get instant access to: One on one consultation call Coffee Breaks: twice-a-month web meetings where we answer questions YOU and other members submit How-to Videos, Training Videos, and Coffee Break archive videos Links to valuable resources Preservation files: topic-specific deep dives …

Traditional Joinery: What it is and why is it important in preservation? Read More »

HIDDEN GEM: Big Spring Farm

We’ve added Big Spring Farm to our Hidden Gem list for a good reason.  With no website, no official or regular hours, no main contact information, no obvious advertisements, and yet huge preservation efforts and achievements – Big Spring Farm may very well be our most hidden gem of all. Somewhere around 5am Saturday morning, …

HIDDEN GEM: Big Spring Farm Read More »

Pennsylvania’s Architectural Styles

  Do you know the architectural styles of Pennsylvania?                     The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has an excellent field guide on the architectural styles found in Pennsylvania.  In it, they’ve assigned key periods of development (listed below) – from the Colonial period in the 18th Century to the …

Pennsylvania’s Architectural Styles Read More »

Portland is a great place for a getaway….not so great for historic buildings.

Protect Historic Masonry Buildings from Permanent Damage Caused by Portland Mortar Historic masonry buildings are very different from modern buildings.  Historic bricks were fired at lower temperatures and are much softer and more permeable than modern bricks.  Historic buildings constructed with these softer bricks were designed to absorb moisture and then release it.  A key …

Portland is a great place for a getaway….not so great for historic buildings. Read More »

Customizing a kitchen in Old Town, Lancaster

Sometimes preservation takes you on new, surprising paths… Yes, we have kitchens on the brain thanks to a recent custom kitchen project (that turned out to be good fodder for some really cool pictures of our millwork process, so you get to ogle them). The traditional approach to creating a custom kitchen is one we …

Customizing a kitchen in Old Town, Lancaster Read More »

Kitchens are often the hub and heart of a home…

  Kitchens are more than just a place to cook our food.  They are usually one of the main family living areas where we gather, commune, play, break bread with family and friends, and sometimes even work with laptop and files plopped on the table so we are sure to stay abreast of all the …

Kitchens are often the hub and heart of a home… Read More »

Bucks County Soapstone: Continuing Thousands of Years of Timelessness

Soapstone is a traditional material that’s been in use for thousands of years and is often found in early Colonial American homes.  The soft, metamorphic stone material, favored for its ability to withstand and retain heat, was used for fireplaces, hearths, cooking slabs, and water basins. It still is today, thanks to Bucks County Soapstone. …

Bucks County Soapstone: Continuing Thousands of Years of Timelessness Read More »

Woot Woot! PA now has a Historic Tax Credit!

Exciting news just in….from Preservation Pennsylvania: Historic Tax Credit Established in Pennsylvania On Saturday, June 30, Pennsylvania became the 30th state in the country to have a state historic tax credit when Governor Tom Corbett signed the FY 2013 Commonwealth Budget and established the Historic Preservation Incentive Act. (Click on the link to read an …

Woot Woot! PA now has a Historic Tax Credit! Read More »