Snow Slows Outside Work

After sheathing most of the north addition, workers have moved to interior restoration because of the snow and cold tempratures. One of the next big parts of the reconstruction of the exterior is to remove the plaster on the west elevation of the stone wing. However, to plaster, the temperature needs to be above freezing. Some minor jobs and indoor renovations will take place until workers are able to continue with the exterior's restoration.

Sheathing the North Addition

The farmhouse continues to molt its exterior and progress in its structural restoration. The back porch was sealed from the wind, and the north addition clapboard was removed, baring the studs, then quickly sheathed the same day. 

New Cellar for North Addition

A new cellar has been dug beneath the Henry Phillip's farmhouse. A basement already exists under the stone wing and the east wing, but now has been extended to the north addition of the house. Steel girders held the north wing erect while the cellar was scraped away. Cement was poured and cinder blocks laid to create a roomy underground storage area and a sturdy support for the historic house. On Wednesday, December 21, a concrete floor was laid in the basement section known as the "spider room," which lies under the stone wing. The new cellar is nearly complete and a porch for the north addition has been framed out (see below). 

Raising The North Wing

The North Wing is being braced and made ready to be jacked up. Aged floor joists have been sistered with new lumber and temporary braces will hold the structure in shape while the house is being raised.

Once the North Wing of the John Phillips house is raised up contractors can begin work on the dilapidated sills and foundation. The house will then be set down own the mended foundation and realligned. In the picture above you can note the warped floor boards and the tilt of the North Wing, this will hopefully be rectified once the settled structure has been repaired.

New Stalls for Blaze and Molly

 Carpenter Ian Ferry continues work on the box stalls for our one cow Molly and retired horse Blaze. The partitions have been constructed and all the floor boards have been laid.