Murray-Dick-Fawcett House Exterior Restoration (Phase II)
Murray-Dick-Fawcett House Exterior Restoration (Phase II)
Phase II restoration of the exterior doors, windows and wide-board siding is complete and reused much of its original materials.
Following the Phase 1 emergency repairs to the roof of the Murray Dick Fawcett house in 2021-2022, Phase 2 of the work was initiated in 2022 to restore the siding, porches, windows and doors to make the building envelope watertight. Oak Grove Restoration, the nationally respected contractor located here in Alexandria that performed the Phase 1 work, was retained to continue this work.
Before doing any work, a combination of archival research and field investigation was performed to understand the physical and social history of the site. Deeds, fire insurance maps, family photos and ledger entries were combined with close inspection of the materials in the field, dendrochronology and laboratory paint analysis.
This ca 1900 photo is very helpful because one can see that there are small buildings on the parcel to the west during this period. These are also shown on Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps in the late 19th century.
Note also the narrow clapboard siding that had been applied over the original wide-board flush siding on the south and west elevations. For some reason, the clapboard siding was never installed on the east side of the house.
This 1936 HABS photo is the only one we have of the east and north walls of the 1797 kitchen/smokehouse/privy. The east wall is whitewashed but the north wall is mostly unpainted. Note the cat entrance in the bottom of the smokehouse door in the center.
Siding Repair
An estimate of the original construction dates for different sections of the house was established by dendrochronological testing of framing members and review of the saw marks, nails and paint, etc.
Window Repair
All window sash were removed, the location stamped on each one and then taken to the Oak Grove shop for restoration in controlled conditions.
East Entry Restoration
When 517 Prince was constructed, it was just outside of the town boundary and the south façade extended over the property line by approximately two feet and the central entrance extended even further into the pedestrian footpath. When the town limits were expanded and the grades of Saint Asaph and Prince streets lowered in the early 19th century to facilitate drainage toward the river, the entry steps had to be relocated to the east side of the house and a covered entry and bedroom addition were constructed ca 1816.
The present entry looks much the same today that it did in the ca 1900 photographs.
Paint Analysis
Paint samples were taken at forty different locations on all sides of the building. The goal in this phase was to reproduce what was believed to be the original color based on laboratory analysis.
ca. 1797 West Porch Repairs
Water running off of the 1784 catslide roof and cricket damaged the ca 1797 west porch.
Phase II Complete
Historic Structure Report
Comprehensive Plan for Use & Interpretation
- Public Engagement to consider Interpretation, visitor flow, renovation of garage to support visitor services, outdoor interpretive components
- Restoration Design
- Fundraising & Public Engagement
- Restoration
- Open as the newest OHA Museum!