Cathedral Restoration Begins, 1 Year After Earthquake

High above Washington, DC, a crocket stone was hoisted into place, marking the formal start of the post-earthquake restoration of the Washington National Cathedral.

It was just a small, carved stone, but it symbolized so much more. Cheers erupted as a newly carved crocket stone was carefully put into place in the southwest pinnacle of Washington National Cathedral's central tower—the "Gloria in Excelsis" tower—on Thursday afternoon, one year after a magnitude 5.8 earthquake shook the region. A pulley hoisted the stone from the roof of the tower to near the top of the pinnacle. With all of Washington, DC, at their feet, stone masons Joe Alonso (the cathedral's head mason) and Sean Callaghan guided the stone into place, then shook hands, 676 feet above sea level (according to cathedral facts). (A crocket is a carved stone—often depicting foliage—that projects from a pinnacle, according to New York …

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Dumbarton House: History In Its Bones, Or at Least Its Mortar

An English half-penny from 1775 turned up in the first minutes of an historic mortar sample study.

The Dumbarton House has history in the very fabric of its construction: during the first few minutes of a mortar sample study, researchers discovered an English half-penny, dated 1775, according to a newsletter from the historic Georgetown home. The mortar study just began, funded through a grant from The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Dorothea de Schweinitz Fund for the District of Columbia. The $4,312.50 grant will help Dumbarton House researchers identify the mortar recipes used to build the house, which was erected in multiple phases between 1798 and 1800. The historic Georgetown saw later changes with the addition of wings in 1915, a restoration in the 1930's, and an addition built in 1991. The mortar study is essential to…

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Planning to Preserve the Past

The DC Historic Preservation Office asks community members for their input.

Tuesday evening several concerned community members met at Sumner School to discuss the formulation of the new D.C. Historic Preservation Plan. “This is not just a plan for our office,” said DC State Preservation Officer David Maloney. “The public has to be involved.” The public is involved, and enthusiastically so. The meeting drew a large and diverse group, including District residents, preservation organization representatives and DC Historic Preservation Office (HPO) staff. The Historic Preservation Plan is re-conceived approximately every five years. A preservation plan has to be in place for the HPO to maintain federal funding. HPO staff hope to create a plan that cultivates sustained dialogue regarding preservation within the …

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Georgetown Post Office Faces Another Setback After Old Georgetown Board

The Old Georgetown Board reviewed the updated plans for the Georgetown Post Office and sent the architect off with homework.

Eastbanc's plans for the Georgetown Post Office have faced several recent setbacks, first the Office of Planning (OP) decided that a commercial use was not appropriate and now the Old Georgetown Board (OGB) had plenty to criticize about the new residential design. The new planned structure will be a three-story residential building, home to nine condos to meet OP's demands. CORE Architect's project architect, Guy Martin, faced the OGB Thursday and left without project approval. Before they got to work, board member Stephen Vanze commented, “You're able to get a lot done in a month,” in reference to the quick switch from commercial to residential designs. At the previous meeting when the design still called for a commercial building, Vanze …

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Historic Homes

Restoring Historic Georgetown Storefronts

A good restoration is a good investment.

When one thinks of Georgetown, two images most often come to mind—rows of elegant townhouses on quiet streets and shopping. Many Georgetown storefronts, especially on M Street and Wisconsin Avenue have been restored or rehabilitated, and new construction in Caddy’s Alley reflects the historic fabric of Georgetown’s business district.  Historically, storefronts were meant be to as transparent as possible to provide a clear view from the street of merchandise and services. Urban storefronts from the late 19th to early 20th centuries featured large plate glass display windows either flush with the face of the building or in projecting bays, crowned with a row of transom windows. Window bays supported a flat roof, with its weight supported by …

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Old Georgetown Board Approves Post Office Concept

At the Dec. 2 meeting, the Old Georgetown Board (OGB) reviewed almost 20 projects in Georgetown. The Georgetown Post Office concept plan earned high marks and approval in its first go-around.

At the Dec. 2 meeting, the Old Georgetown Board (OGB) weighed-in on nearly 20 projects in Georgetown ranging from solar panels on a residential property to the concept plan for the Georgetown Post Office.  The first agenda item, the C&O Canal visitor's center signage received a swift approval from the OGB Thursday. Park service officers were asked to keep the presentation short; in a matter of minutes the OGB approved the plan. The board spent significantly more time reviewing the Georgetown Post Office plans presented by CORE Architect's project architect, Guy Martin. The OGB took comments from Tim Denee of the D.C. Historic Preservation Office (HPO) who raised concerns about removing the current addition. Commissioner Tom Birch from the …

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Historic Homes

My Window on the Windows World

A personal experience in replacing windows or how not to have your bedroom window torn out in November.

In my last article, "Thinking of Replacing Your Old Windows?" I offered some pointers on replacement window projects. Now, I'd like to share my own experience to give you an idea why I now know so much about windows. My Own Story I bought an historic house about 10 years ago. Well, "historic" in that it was built in 1912 and is in an historic district. The first major home improvement project was to be the windows. Most were either painted shut or the ropes had rotted and the weights had fallen down inside the walls. Some were crooked where the house had settled and wouldn't close completely. Others were in better shape, and those I decided to have repaired and restored. I'm glad I did. As an expert in restorations and historic …

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Historic Homes

Thinking of Replacing Your Old Windows?

Pick windows that fit your style, but also that are easy to care for, so you don't end up wearing more Windex than the window.

If you own an old house with old or original windows,  you've probably already given some thought about how to make those windows look better, easier to open and to clean, and more energy efficient.  There are different options in dealing with old windows; having them restored or repaired, adding storm windows to the outside, or replacing them.  The window replacement route can be the tricky and will require you to stay on the ball throughout the entire process. Shopping for Replacement Windows When shopping for replacement windows, take your time and look at windows by a variety of manufacturers. Try to go to showrooms or stores to avoid in-home evening visits by salesmen and see how manufacturers' windows differ. Try each window to …

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