Historic Nails

Earlier this week, the copper flashing was removed from the roof of the lower two levels of the tower. Underneath the flashing we found old boards, many of them 17 to 18 inches wide. These hand-wrought nails were pulled out of one of the boards for examination. The nails are distinguished by their point and less than perfect construction. They likely date to the 18th century, as does the board that they held in place.

Tower Siding Removed

Beginning at the end of last week and continuing Monday and Tuesday of this week, the Old State House tower has been stripped of its siding. The lower portion of the tower, known as level one, now has all of the exterior siding removed. In the picture above the interior diagonal sheathing can be seen, as well as one of the tower's ox-eye windows.

North Bennet Street School Comes for a Visit

On Thursday, April 10, architect Don Tellalian (pictured on the right), AIA of Tellalian Associates Architects & Planners, LLC met with the Preservation Carpentry class from North Bennet Street School. Taught by Robert Adam, the class was on-site to observe preservation carpentry first-hand as Rich Muckle and a crew from M&A Architectural Preservation, Inc. were working on the siding of the Old State House tower.

Exploring the Effects of Time and Weather: The Balustrades

This week our team has been up on the scaffolding exploring the damage that has been caused by time and weather. The goal with our preservation project is to save as much historic material as possible, but replace when necessary. The top and bottom rails on the tower balustrades are badly deteriorated and in need of work. The balusters themselves look to be in good condition and will be saved, but the rails will be replaced.

First Look

It has been a busy week here at the Old State House. Marr scaffolding was here finishing the stairs and safety rails so that the work crew will have access to the tower to begin the project next week.

Yesterday was the first up-close look that many of us had of the tower. Our excellent team, pictured above, of Don Tellalian, Judy Selwyn, Rich Muckle, and David Storeygard, examined the deterioration of the wood on the tower. This was also the first time in about 15 years that the weathervane on the dome has been seen up-close.

Stay tuned for more images and updates as the work gets underway next week.

More Photos from Sunday

Yesterday proved to be a long and exciting day as everyone worked from 6am until 10pm, but the hardest parts of laying out the scaffolding are now done.

These photos show the large beams (as seen in the photos from yesterday) being set in place by the crew from Marr Scaffolding, the beams being secured with welds, and work platforms being constructed.

Crane Day

Sunday was crane day for the Tower Restoration Project at the Old State House. Beginning the day at 6am, our great team from Lee Kennedy, Marr Scaffolding and Crane, and T. G. Gallagher Mechanical Engineers have replaced the chiller, or cooling unit, for the Old State House HVAC system, placed 4 beams (weighing 6,000 pounds each) on the scaffolding, and started construction on the work platforms around the tower itself. There will be more pictures on the way from this exciting day!