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Log and Frame Farm House Restoration

Clarksburg, Maryland

The work on this project consisted of selective demolition and stabilization of a circa 1790s “Tidewater” cabin with a Greek Revival addition. Work was done in accordance with Maryland State Historic Preservation Commission guidelines. When completed, the building is to be used as office space for the Montgomery County School District. All work performed in connection with this contract was completed on time and within budget and included: removing flooring and siding in various areas and marking much of it for future re-use during subsequent phases of work;  rigging and lifting the structure to remove deteriorated structural materials and replace them with matching new timbers from our own sawmill using hand-cut joinery that enabled a perfect fit with the existing older timbers;  removing and rebuilding deteriorated structural stone walls and re-pointing and repairing salvageable stone walls with similar methods and materials used in original 18th Century construction;  repairing the standing-seam metal roof and installing temporary gutters and downspouts; performing site work (i.e., tree removal, excavation, grading, hydro-seeding, etc.) to improve the overall appearance of the property and to ensure positive drainage away from the structure, reducing, if not eliminating, future damage to the structure caused by water; and providing critical analyses of the structure with recommendations for improvements, compliance with MSHPC guidelines and future work on the structure.

 

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Before Stabilization and Repairs

Before Stabilization and Repairs
Rear Log Ell Badly Deteriorated

Rear Log Ell Badly Deteriorated
With the Siding Removed the Various Periods of Modification to the Original Building Appear

With the Siding Removed the Various Periods of Modification to the Original Building Appear
Foundation and Framing Are Both Severly Deteriorated

Foundation and Framing Are Both Severly Deteriorated
Beautiful Early Timber Frame Joinery In the Main House

Beautiful Early Timber Frame Joinery In the Main House
The Building Turned Out Not to be Completely Uninhabited

The Building Turned Out Not to be Completely Uninhabited
As of Yet We Do Not Have an Official Bee Keeping Field Crew -- But we Made Do (Is There ANYTHING That Duct Tape Can't Do?)

As of Yet We Do Not Have an Official Bee Keeping Field Crew -- But we Made Do (Is There ANYTHING That Duct Tape Can't Do?)
The Bees Were Relocated Unharmed and the Honey Was Put to Good Use

The Bees Were Relocated Unharmed and the Honey Was Put to Good Use
New Sill Log -- Foundation Awaits Repair

New Sill Log -- Foundation Awaits Repair
Relaid and Repointed Interior Masonry Bearing Walls Support Repaired Log Partition

Relaid and Repointed Interior Masonry Bearing Walls Support Repaired Log Partition
New Sills and Moisture Barrier Installed in Crawl Space

New Sills and Moisture Barrier Installed in Crawl Space
Main Foundation Repointed

Main Foundation Repointed
Foundation Repaired and Repointed -- New Sills -- Crawlspace Excavated and Slab Installed

Foundation Repaired and Repointed -- New Sills -- Crawlspace Excavated and Slab Installed
Stabilization and Foundation And Frame Repairs Complete

Stabilization and Foundation And Frame Repairs Complete
Log and Frame House Restoration -- Rear Log Ell After Completion

Log and Frame House Restoration -- Rear Log Ell After Completion
New Cellar Entrance Constructed With Board and Batten Doors

New Cellar Entrance Constructed With Board and Batten Doors