Search Results for: maintenance is preservation

The Financial Benefits of Preservation vs. New Development

Last Wednesday, the Lancaster County Planning Commission hosted strongtowns.org’s “Curbside Chat” presented by Charles Marohn at the Manheim Township Public Library. “Curbside Chat” is strongtowns.org’s program to discuss the financial realities facing our cities, towns, boroughs, and townships.  The Chat started with the history of what Marohn called the “Suburban Experiment” of new development that shifted homes …

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Out of the Mouths of Preservationists: Common Preservation Terms Explained

  One of the most common barriers between preservationists and those who do not define themselves as preservationists, is the language we building-huggers use.  So here are some common preservation terms defined: [sws_toggle1 title=”Historic Context”]Historic Context is a unit created for planning purposes that groups information about historic properties based on a shared theme, specific time …

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Wood Window Maintenance

Taken from the Historic Wood Windows tip sheet from the National Trust for Historic Preservation – maintenance is important for all areas of a building to help insure that it will continue to perform without costly repairs. Preservation is maintenance and it is a lot less expensive than replacement. Four Wood Window Maintenance Tips:1. Keep …

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Columbia Preservation Fair

On Saturday, September 20, 2008 we presented “How to Approach Work on Your Older Home” to a group of interested homeowners in Columbia, Pennsylvania. We discussed avoiding common mistakes, how to make an older home more energy efficient, and how to plan for the work. After we finished the question and answer segment Chuck offered …

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For the Love of Love: Compromising Historical Integrity

For this week’s blog feature we decided to focus on a story of monumental love and history, in honor of Valentine’s Day this Friday. If you’re a romantic, there’s a love story for you. If you’re not a romantic, never fear! We’ve included our usual focus on historical buildings and materials, and in this case, …

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UNIQUE HISTORICAL FEATURES SERIES: “Haunted” Victorian Houses

UNIQUE HISTORICAL FEATURES SERIES – On this 4th Tuesday of the month, our focus isn’t on a specific feature per se, but more on a combination of features; a whole architectural style, in fact. And we’re focusing on how mutable cultural values created and then reviled that style, resulting in its being the focus of …

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LABOR DAY: Preserving its meaning, sustaining our workforce

LABOR DAY – although it was yesterday, we feel it’s timely to discuss it. Now known as the unofficial end of Summer, a time for store sales, or an extra long weekend for some. But the history and meaning behind the day represent the struggles of laborers in the American workforce, and collective issues that …

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Safety and Security for Your Historic Home

THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF YOUR HISTORIC HOME is a crucial component of protecting you, your home, and possessions. Today’s blog post includes typical topics related to safety and security, and how to ensure that your home is protected.  2 safety issues: peeling paint that is probably lead-based, and worn, slippery stairs. Photo by Erik Witsoe …

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Historical Interiors: The inside counts, too

How often have we heard the phrase “It’s what’s on the inside that counts?” When it comes to historical homes and buildings, I’m sure those of us who are preservation-inclined would say it’s what’s on the outside and the inside that counts. And we’ve discussed the outside before: last week we shared our piece on …

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Historical Facades: More Than Aesthetics

A façade. What is it? Most of us know that its most basic definition is “face.” In the case of architecture, this refers to the exterior side of the building, usually the front. Façades on buildings are often the first defining features we see. As times change, so do architectural design styles, and this is …

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