Farmhouse Restoration

Snow Slows Outside Work

Webmaster — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:38:49 +0000

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

Webmaster — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:49:17 +0000

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

Webmaster — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:54:49 +0000

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

Webmaster — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:43:27 +0000

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

Webmaster — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:49:43 +0000

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.

Restoration Begins!

Webmaster — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:46:31 +0000

This winter season has brought long hoped for progress. During the "off season" Howell Farm has begun restoration projects on the Farmhouse, Henry Phillips barn and the Hunter Rd. bridge. Throughout this winter, work has been done to empty the farmhouse of the many antique and reproduction items, furniture, and the farmers' exorbitant collection of coffee mugs, in preparation for the restoration and reconstruction of the foundation, structure, and historic appearance of the farmhouse.

Yesterday, Wednesday, January 13, 2010, a track hoe began excavation a septic drainage field from the hill on the east side of the barnyard along Hunter Rd. The loader dug out an 11 ft. deep pit in one days time. Today the pit is being filled with sand and rocks. This is a big step in the rehabilitation of the John Phillips house.

Besides the obvious excavation work being done, more restoration is happening in the dim and cool horse barn. In the autumn of 2009 concrete was laid in the newly restored threshing floor of the barn. Today Howell Farm's carpenter Ian Ferry continues the work, building two new box stalls off to the east side of the threshing floor for our beloved seniors, Molly the cow & Blaze the horse. Oak floor boards were laid yesterday and today partitions are going up.

Last--but not least: several Howell Farm staff put out life, limb, and clothing to mend the bridge that crosses Moores Creek, which leads to our precious sugar bush (maple sugar forest). A new deck of stout boards are being laid and the metal girders repainted. Pictured are Matt Schofield, Jonathan Houghton, & Peter Gray painting the girders and getting some paint on themselves as well.