If you've been following the Diary, you know that Selma Mansion (at Airy and Selma Sts.) is slowly being restored. In the last year, the exterior woodwork has been repaired and painted and, as of today, is about done. Below are some before and after photos.
The Norristown Preservation Society is receiving a Lenfest Foundation grant, which will allow work on the exterior to continue this fall. The first plan is to remove the stucco, which is in bad shape. However, removing it will also afford the opportunity to study how the building was built and hopefully solve some of the questions concerning the house's evolution. It may be one 1794 building, or an older house with one or even two additions.
Before other professional work can happen, though, a volunteer day is needed. The NPS is
partnering with The Norristown Project, and asking for volunteers on Saturday,
September 27th from 10 am to 2 pm. Tasks include cleaning the window
wells (which will help drainage) and digging a trench for a drainage
pipe in the basement. Both these projects might produce artifacts which
would increase our knowledge of the mansion's history even more. If the
NPS has enough volunteers, they could help weed the garden beds or help
to prep and do some painting in the parlor. If it rains, there's plenty
of work indoors.
The NPS promises it won't be as cold as the last
volunteer day. They'll have food for volunteers. More details will be
forthcoming.
If you're interested, you can RSVP on the
NPS Facebook event page, or send an email to me at
missmaggieandpat@verizon.net.
No comments:
Post a Comment