The project included repointing to address
extensive mortar deterioration on the house
and outbuilding. Careful onsite examination
and lab work resulted in a restoration lime
mortar with a crushed mica schist aggregate
prior to construction. Crushed mica schist
had to be produced. Ribbon pointing was
the original style of pointing on the house
façade (the sides and rear are barn
dash). This technique, used historically
on only the finest houses, and rarely required
even for historic preservation projects,
was replicated by the masonry contractor.
The Johnson House,
built in 1768, is nationally significant
for its role as part of the regional network
of Underground Railroad stations and for
the Johnson family’s prominent role
in the abolitionist movement. The goal
of this project was two fold: to stabilize
deteriorating building conditions and,
in the process, to restore the building
exterior to its appearance during the
site’s period of significance. At
the outset of the project, the main block
appeared as it did beginning c. 1861,
by which time the height of the original
chimneys had been raised (after c. 1850)
and the front and rear dormers added (c.
1861 and c. 1859, respectively). Restoration
decisions during the design development
phase were consistent with restoring the
house to the c. 1861 period. Due to the
nature of the project, many decisions
were based on investigation during construction,
requiring close coordination between the
contractor, architect and owner.
Architects: KSK Architects Planners Historians, Inc. |
