What's Going on at the old Town House? May 2017
May 5, 2017 - Work resumes on our Center Harbor Town House rehab this Spring. The second phase of an archaeological study will determine if pre-contact Native American artifacts are likely present under the building. An opening in the floor is needed.
Skilled restoration carpenters carefully remove some floorboards and sub-flooring, which will be saved on site and reinstalled in the Fall.
The opening is ready for the archaeologist. The archaeology study is required by the State before work on the foundation can begin. The study is being funded as part of an LCHIP grant.
May 8, 2017 - Repairing the Town House front porch is at the top of the work list for this year. The Meredith Rotary is graciously donating this labor.
Decades of rain and snow have taken a toll.
Existing railings that can be salvaged will be reinstalled.
Moldings and balusters that are missing will be replaced.
Architectural details characteristic of early Greek revival style will be preserved.
Rotarian Ron Maher points out areas of rot in the corner post.
Fortunately, rot in the porch frame is limited to just this corner and 2 floorboards.
After replacing the corner post, Ron checks for any additional rot.
Ron carefully planes the corner post.
Existing railing needed only 1 baluster replaced before being secured to the building. New base molding and trim have been installed.
Front porch apron has been replaced.
This porch corner only needed to have some rotten base moldings and trim replaced.
A wooden step replaces the dilapidated ramp that was removed last Fall. A new accessible entrance will be installed later, as the rehab progresses.
Primer has been applied to the newly repaired porch.
Front porch looks great, even with just the primer. Thank you Meredith Rotary!!!
May 19, 2017 - Project Archaeologist Jesse Cofelice begins the field research by using a trowel to collect some of the topsoil from below the Town House.
While digging the first test pit, Jesse and Field Supervisor Emily Rux pause to examine some of the soil in the shovel.
Shaking and sifting all of the soil from the test pit, looking carefully for artifacts.
This test pit shows the different soil layers.
More shaking, sifting and searching the soil removed from the second test pit for artifacts.
Jesse records field notes while Emily finishes digging the second test pit. No evidence of pre-contact Native American artifacts was found.