2001 Project Biographies

The Newport Naval Station has several historic buildings contributing to the overall historic architectural diversity of Newport. This building was the home of the Navy base's admiral, and HRI restored 18 of the original windows. The windows were stripped, glass removed and reglazed, and refinished. HRI also installed bronze weather stripping and made the windows operate the way they did 150 years ago.

This cape suffered from poor material selection from its construction in 1820. Historical documents state that the 1780 mansion was dismantled from "significant deterioration", the builders used these members to build the new cape in 1820. The plank timber frame was completed eaten by carpenter ants years ago, and the whole main elevation had to be dismantled and reconstructed. Previous "repairs included 6x6 pressure treated sills, that were butted together in 4 foot sections, where the weight transfer of the posts were disregarded. HRI again paid consideration to the original timber frame dynamic, and restored its frame. HRI also completed several interior repairs, room reconfigurations and a revitalized heating and electrical system.

This Stick Style house has had no major restoration in the 105 years since it was built. Now a nursing home, the house retained sections of its original features, some requiring reproduction others requiring restoration. Flat and pitched roofs, flashing, built-in gutters, downspouts, stick detailing and embellished trusses on the gables, Eastlake details on the dormers and railings, pilasters and brackets and clapboards were all part of the restoration project. The house now adorns a new color scheme and life.

Kitchen and Improvements

This ©1810 Georgian has sagged and sank over the years, up to 8" in some places. After sorting through the various braces and extra timbers in the main floor framing, several were identified as dilapidated or insignificant. A main girt and three joists were replaced, as were four main posts and concrete pads. Other posts from previous paranoid owners were removed, and additional room was made in this four foot tall, dirt floor with a rain activated stream through it crawlspace. Above, the 1970's plywood kitchen was removed, walls were flattened and plumbed, and a new door and window was installed. The new cabinets were installed, compensating the 4" or so of the floor from end to end. New Corian countertops, Italian tumbled marble tile backsplash and appliances were installed, a new paint job and a hand refinished floor completed the new in an old house kitchen.

Josiah Quincy House Museum

The scope of work involves the restoration of the exterior, including carpentry, painting and window restoration. All replaced elements match specie and dimension, as well as reproducing original construction techniques. Painting includes a full scrape and feather sanding. The window restoration is extensive, with the finishes being removed(except for an original 1’ square), the glass removed and repaired if necessary, wood restoration/repair/ replacement, wood reconditioning, priming, resetting glass and reglazing, and finally finish coated. When completed, the windows will be fully operational.

House Moving Project

This threatened Queen Anne was saved from the wrecking ball by way of a new highway. Moving preparations were extensive, since height restrictions required the removal of a tower and the entire roof. The building also had to be separated into two parts. A garage to be moved had to be stabilized and a new sill installed. After the preparation and a five mile move, the building was reattached, with a new, contextual breezeway constructed. The building currently sits on its new foundation, with the interior and exterior ready for restoration.