Restoration Philosophy

The restoration of the Col. Paul Wentworth House will be based on the measured drawings and photographs taken as part of the Historic American Buildings Survey of 1936. At that time the house, both interior and exterior, reflected the eighteenth century with the exception of a few minor mid-l9th century changes, notably the addition of a set kettle and stove in the fireplace of the lean-to kitchen. This fireplace will be restored to its earlier appearance in the 18th century when it served as an open hearth. When the restoration is completed the interior and exterior of the house will reflect as closely as possible the building's 18th-century appearance after the last architectural changes were made with accommodations made for a small hidden pantry kitchen and handicapped accessible bathroom. The building will be restored according to the Secretary of the Interior's guidelines for historic restoration.

Archaeology Excavation & Monitoring:
Dr. Neill De Paoli, archaeologist

An archaeological excavation was conducted in the Fall of 2003 in order to test the building site for possible historic structural remains. The 1.1 acre building site is in the "back yard" of the original house foundation. Fifty-eight one and half foot square test pits were dug to ensure that no historic materials were at risk in the area of the house reconstruction. When the foundation is dug the archaeologist will monitor the excavation as an additional precaution.

Site Work: land/construction survey, site engineering
Paul J. Connolly, P.E., P.L.S./CivilWorks, Inc.

Foundation/Basement:
The house will be restored to its 18th-century appearance from the soil line up. titlehough the original structure had a cellar only under the east side of the house and a small-secret cellar under the lean-to kitchen, the restored structure will have a full basement of poured concrete to house modern heating and plumbing needs as well as to facilitate storage. We will also attempt to recreate the secret cellar that originally stood underneath the kitchen. A concrete foundation with 10" walls and 4" floor laid over a vapor barrier will be poured to approximately 10" above the soil line. The wall will have a shelf just below the soil line to support a stone masonry veneer above ground so that the outward appearance will be the same as it was in 1936. A reinforced concrete pad will be poured to support the chimney base.

Chimney/Fireplace Reconstruction:
John Wastrom, Mason and specialist in Historic Restoration

The center chimney stack of the Col. Paul Wentworth House will be restored to its original configuration based on the HABS measured drawings completed in 1936. When the chimney was reconstructed in Dover, MA in 1937 very few if any of the original brick were used. In reconstructing the chimney stack and fireboxes in Dover, MA masons of the era used a Portland cement based mortar which made any attempt to salvage any original bricks extremely difficult. The original hearth brick or foot tiles were saved and will be part of the reconstruction. The chimney stack will be rebuilt in Rollinsford using 18th-century water struck brick and granite collected by the mason. The chimney base will be constructed of salvaged granite and fieldstone dry laid and pointed with a clay mortar. We hope to recover the large flat pieces of granite from the original house site to use in the underfire of the reconstructed chimney. All fireplaces will be rebuilt in their original locations and fitted with modern flues so that they can be safely utilized. In the lean-to kitchen the hearth will be brought back to its 18th-century appearance before it was closed in to install a stove and set kettle. That fireplace will be installed with the earlier 18th-century curved back which was found in the hall and parlor fireplaces before later 18th-century fireplace alterations.

Roof:
Stephen Bedard, Bedard Preservation & Restoration, Gilmanton, NH

The house will have a new cedar wood-shingled roof and shingles will be treated with fire retardant.

Water/Sewer:
The house will access town water and have a septic system. Paul Connolly designed the septic system and Mike Lapoint has installed it.

Security/Fire Alarm:
A security system/fire detector will be installed to protect the house throughout the year.

Plumbing/Heating/Electrical: No plumbing existed in the original structure and therefore will be confined to a small kitchen containing simply a sink and microwave installed in the pantry and a handicapped accessible bathroom which will be installed in the bedroom off the lean-to kitchen. Because the frame of the lean-to was altered in Dover, MA and contains some replacement woodwork it is the area best suited to accommodate these modern conveniences. The house will have a brand new furnace to accommodate forced hot air heating with minimal intrusions to the historic interior.

House Reconstruction:
Stephen Bedard, Bedard Preservation & Restoration, Gilmanton, NH

The house will be restored based on the HABS drawings of 1936 as stated above. Any missing or damaged elements of interior trim, paneling, wainscoting etc. will be recreated to match HABS drawings and photographs. Some new hardware where required shall be made to match existing hardware. A "three-coat plaster" based on the original will be used in the building in the appropriate areas.

Landscape Design:
Lucinda Brockway, Past Designs, Kennebunk, ME

Using old photos, the 1936 site plan, planned usage for the house today and her own experience with 18th century landscape design a plan was developed and accepted by the board for implementation in 2007.  The plan was developed thanks to a grant from the Tidewater Seed Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation's Piscataqua Region.

Other Restoration Needs:

• Paint analysis
• Wallpaper reproduction
• Reproduction of historic furnishings
• Reproduction light fixtures

A Publication of ARCH
The Association for Rollinsford Culture and History
©2003 - 2006

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