Matt Barley joined the Practical Preservation podcast to discuss the work of Lancaster County Preservation Trust and his preservation philosophy. Some of the highlights of our discussion were: The Andrew Ellicott House and the Lancaster connection to Lewis and Clark The 10 hour house on South Prince Street in Lancaster Trends in preservation – video …
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 …
A solid plan is critical for any construction project. Solid planning will ensure more efficient implementation of your project, limit schedule disturbances and project problems, and control your project’s budget. Proper planning will also reduce the chances of causing irreparable damage to your building. A good plan for any project on your historical building should …
Planning a Historic Building Construction Project Read More »
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 …
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 …
[social_share/] From the National Park Service’s Preservation Brief #45: Preserving Historic Wood Porches: In colonial America, buildings in the northern colonies tended to echo British precedents with small gable-roofed extensions to protect main entrances. Whether open or enclosed, these extensions were called porches (from Medieval English and the French word porche, which stems from the Latin, porticus). Also known as …
Historic Porches Their Evolution, History, and Significance Read More »
Picking a contractor with adequate skills and experience to complete a job is always important, but it is particularly important for restorations and renovations of a historical building. To avoid permanently damaging the historical fabric of your building, you need a contractor who is well-versed in historical products and materials, can identify and replicate the traditional trade …
How to Hire a Contractor for Your Historic Building Read More »
It is easy to think that if the look of a historical building is maintained, as well as the types of materials used, then the building has been successfully preserved. But preservation is not just about preserving how something looks, it is primarily focused on preserving how something is so that it remains as …
What to Avoid When Replacements on a Historical Building are Unavoidable Read More »
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 »
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 »
© 2022 Practical Preservation | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Service