What's Going On at the old Town House? Late September, October & early November 2016
September 24, 2016 - Our Town House exterior is being prepared for painting. The old electric meter and cables have been removed for a clean facade. In the future, electricity will be provided underground to the woodshed ell addition.
The painting of our Town House is funded, in part, by a grant from the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources through the sale of Conservation License Plates/Mooseplates.
Painting begins with gentle hand-scrapping to prepare the surface without damaging the old clapboard.
Entire exterior is being scrapped by hand.
With just the primer applied, the South Facade looks better already. The old paint on this wall had been peeling dramatically for decades.
An area of rotten sill and clapboard in the rear will be repaired as part of the exterior painting project. Only 2 other very small areas of rot were found in the clapboard. Our Town House has aged well.
Rare glimpse into the crawlspace underneath the 1933 privies addition. The indoor privies were added so the Town House could be used as a school..
October 8, 2016 - The front facade is being carefully hand-scrapped and prepped for painting. The original Town House sign has been removed for restoration. A dainty, half-round louvre was hidden behind the sign.
Preparation of the clapboard exterior is nearly complete.
Ta da! Our Town House even looks beautiful with just the white primer applied.
It's amazing what a little primer and TLC can do!
Our Town House is getting noticed! A few passers-by even honked their horns and gave the "thumbs up" sign to our painting crew.
October 15, 2016 - Paint is peeling away on the original Town House sign. The sign is made of galvanized tin and was lettered by hand.
You can faintly see the original letters "H" and "A" behind the existing letters. This is called "ghosting."
The original sign was hand-lettered by "M.W.B." in 1931. His mark was found on the back of the sign.
The sign was apparently repainted and hand-lettered a second time by Sonny Ambrose. His signature is on the front of the sign.
The Town House sign on its way to Royea Signs and Grafix on Route 25B for restoration. Owner Luke Royea is donating this work. A wonderful surprise: Sonny Ambrose taught him how to hand-letter signs!
October 31, 2016 - Some broken window glass has been replaced. The trim is being painted green, which may be the original dark color seen in old black & white photos..
The door and window on the woodshed ell have been repaired.
All that remains is to finish painting the windows and doors.
November 5, 2016 - After a few days of rain, the sun came out and painting resumes. The ramp has been removed. As part of the building rehabilitation, a new, accessible, second entrance will eventually be added.
Some final touch-up...
Almost done...
All that's left is to pack up & head home after a job well-done. Thank you, Target New England of Alton, New Hampshire!
Stand back & admire how beautiful our 1843 Town House looks!
From every angle...
Standing proudly on the hillside...
A special "Thank You" to the NH Division of Historical Resources for a $10,000 Moose Plate Grant, our generous donors, and the citizens of Center Harbor for funding this work on our 1843 Town House!