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Now that the cold weather has ended, work has commenced on a new wood-shingle roof for the Griswold House.
March |
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Mustard-colored walls in the Dining Room are painted to replicate the room's 1910 wall color. The ceiling has been painted a grayish color to suggest age and wear. The original painted panels are all in storage and will be reinstalled in late April.
March |
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Newly hung wallpaper in the Parlor! This wallpaper is a custom paper whose design recreates the original 1910 paper. Laura McCoy, wallpaper specialist, used an historic photograph of this piano niche to replicate the original design.
March |
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Extensive plaster repair on the interior of the House has fixed damaged walls and ceilings. Master craftsmen Avalanche Plasterers, who also worked on the Krieble Gallery construction (2002), secured sagging ceilings and cut out crumbling portions of walls. Despite the scope of the work, the plasterers were sensitive to the historic space.
Notice the new glass in the lower portion of the porch door, matching the existing glass above.
February |
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Electrician Mike Flynn digs trenches for new lighting for the exterior of the Griswold House. The restoration features a new interior lighting scheme, with trim, recessed lights, but also includes new, exterior lights that draw attention to the restored facade of the House.
January 2006 |
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Work on the dining room fireplace has restored it to its apperance in 1910. Originally a open hearth, Miss Florence bricked in the fireplace when this room was converted from the kitchen to the dining room. During the Art Colony a small stove was often placed inside the opening.
December |
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Work continued to progress on the Griswold House despite the arrival of Winter. Contractors worked on the inside of the house, updating wiring and heating systems within. By year's end, the restoration has been underway for 7 months and we look forward to the final phase in the early months of 2006.
December |
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Nearing completion, this stone wall disguises a ramped walkway that leads to the visitor entrance of the House.
November |
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Based on historic images, the front steps of the House have been painted - a vast change from the grey steps of the last few decades.
November |
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The mechanical shed (see July) has been painted a dark brown that ties in to the existing barn and Hartman Education Center. Stones are piled in preparation for the construction of a stone walkway.
November |
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An ottoman similar to one that Florence Griswold owned was recently found at One of a Kind Antiques in Essex, CT. In addition, a footstool and music stool were also acquired from dealers in New England.
October |
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Steel beams have been installed in the attic of the House to create structural reinforcement.
October |
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Special care has been given to stripping and prepping the front entrance details. The recessed panels surrounding the door will be painted the same color as the yellow clapboards, creating an exciting visual element.
October |
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Repair on the foundation of the house has tried to match existing mortar in color and texture.
October |
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Copper gutters have been installed on the exterior of the house. They will weather to a green patina. Note the finished front steps and the newly regraded and seeded front lawn.
September |
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The capitals were stripped and will be restored to their 1910 appearance, when they painted to match the color of the House.
September |
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Discovery of a forgotten refuse pit: Ink wells, ceramic shards and bottles were unearthed during digging near the edge of the new mechanical shed. The artifacts were carefully salvaged and will be accessed and stored for use in the refurnishing of the Griswold House.
August |
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Timber rot on the north side of the house was discovered, isolated, and is being repaired.
August |
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Restoration on the quoins of the house: These wood details on the sides of the House were removed and conserved. Priming and painting commenced on the exterior of the house: Painters are sanding the house with care, using hand sanders.
August |
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Despite the large equipment being used for the restoration of the Griswold House, visitors still find beauty on the grounds of the Florence Griswold Museum. This artist spent most of the day painting Miss Florence's gardens and outbuildings.
July |
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Testament of love left by 1940s construction worker unearthed recently during construction of new mechanical shed. "I will love you like...". We are left to imagine the sentiment.
July |
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The Florence Griswold Museum has gone "green." Geothermal wells are being dug on the property. This 16 well system uses the constant temperature under the ground to heat and cool the Griswold House, as well as humidify and dehumidify. The environmentally friendly system reduces our reliance on other types of energy but will be supplemented by a propane furance.
Dug by Connecticut Wells.
July |
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The foundation was dug and laid for the new mechanical shed adjoining the Griswold House. The walls went up and the building was roofed and sided. This structure will house all of the HVAC systems for the Griswold House and is in the style of an outbuilding that stood in that same spot during Miss Florence's time.
July |
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A trench was dug to relay fiber optic cables for the computer network.
The trench was dug by Willlington Landscape. Fiber optic and electrical work by Zelek Electric.
June |
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The mica granite walkway was taken up and reused behind the Krieble Gallery as a new base for the Adrian Moore Garden Terrace.
The new Terrace was installed by Wilber and King Nurseries.
June |
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The front steps are being replaced with historically-accurate steps (circa 1910) that wrap around the base of the porch.
Restoration led by Kronenburger & Sons.
June |
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Construction fencing was installed along the perimeter of the work site.
May |
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All of the House's famous painted doors and panels were removed too. Henry Howe's "Normandy Bull" painted door is installed in "Holy House": Spirit of a Place and Willard Metcalf's dining room panels can be viewed in the exhibition May Night: Willard Metcalf at Old Lyme (through September 11, 2005)
Facilities Manager Ted Gaffney and Registrar Nicole Wholean carefully remove panels.
May |
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In May the contents of the House were moved to safe storage during the restoration. Several pieces are in the special exhibition, "Holy House": Spirit of a Place. The House became a "clean" canvas.
F.A.S.T., fine art transporters aided the move.
May |
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In January, shutters were removed and sent off to be conserved and repainted based on scientific paint anaysis.
Restoration led by Kronenburger & Sons.
January |
