COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)- Working in the New Normal
The Covid-19 pandemic has created a lot of concern and confusion. While each of us at Heritage are feeling personal fears and concerns, we are collectively committed to best practices in keeping our staff and the public we serve healthy…
Why Quality Matters
An old house can be there by accident but most of the time it’s because someone cared. It could have been the craftsperson from 200 years ago. Or it could have been the handyman that cleaned the gutters. Or it…
Woods-Gerry House Floor Reproduction Project
Heritage Restoration was hired to document and reconstruct the floor at the beautiful Wood Gerry Gallery, which is also the Admissions Building for the Rhode Island School of Design. The floor is a patterned mix of rift sawn white oak…
Mild Thing, You Help My Purse String
So this winter has been great for those who don’t like the cold and slush, as well as a bit easier on the bank account, so it’s a great time to analyze and retrofit your old house. Many believe an…
Plaster: To Save or Not to Save
Our house has failing lead paint on the original horse hair plaster walls. The firms contacted thus far have stated that, given the size of the job, the most sensible way to proceed is through the removal of the plaster…
Trades Deficit
Every once and awhile I have to get off the old house care kick and opine about the state of things. Since the 1970’s, experts have cautioned the lack of trades training will someday have a profound impact on the…
Timber Frames
We live in a culture of impatience and instant gratification. But for the first European American settlers, nothing was instant. When the Pilgrims finally landed in Plymouth of December 1620, they were hungry, weary, and desperate. They arrived without a…
Rhode Island and the 4th of July
This 4th of July I am thinking of why we save old buildings. I am fortunate to live in Rhode Island, which is one of the most architecturally diverse states with buildings spanning from 1680 to the modern day. Many…
Designing to Fail
I have often wondered why windshield wipers don’t last longer. We have the technology to send stuff into outer space, but cannot make an everlasting wiper that can remove bug splats, tree droppings, or water. Architecture and building components have…