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MACON,
May 26, 2005–Hay House has received a
$29,649 Conservation Project Support Grant
from the Institute of Museum and Library
Services to correct moisture problems that are
causing serious exterior and interior damage
to the historic mansion.
The
grant will be matched by approximately $30,400
to meet the total $60,000 expected project
cost.
“This
grant is strong affirmation about the national
significance of Hay House,” said Greg
Paxton, CEO and president of The Georgia Trust
for Historic Preservation, which owns and
operates the National Historic Landmark
mansion.
“It
will help us correct one of the major
restoration problems facing Hay House,” said
Hay House Director Suzanne Harper. “Hay
House plans to eventually restore and
interpret the lower level to the public, but
must resolve the moisture issues before that
can be done,” Harper said.
“I
am proud of the role the Institute of Museum
and Library Services plays in helping museums
across the country care for their
collections,” IMLS Director Robert Martin
said. “The Conservation Project Support
grants we make will ensure that the rich and
diverse culture and history in America’s
museums are available for a lifetime of
learning for all and future generations.”
Hay
House is one of 49 museums to receive a grant
out of 189 applications that IMLS received.
IMLS is an independent federal grant-making
agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a
nation of learners by helping libraries and
museums serve their communities.
Work
is expected to begin late summer to put
improvements in place that will stop the site
drainage problems and thus mitigate continued
damage to the lower level of Hay House. A
project team will meet in June to review plans
for the work.
The
team will be composed of Patrick Brennan, The
Georgia Trust senior properties director;
David Selby, AIA, local project architect;
Michael Emerick, AIA and architectural
assessor for the 2002 Conservation Assessment
Program study on Hay House; Joe Joseph,
archaeologist and project manager of New South
Associates, the firm that performed the
environmental survey at Hay House; Hay House
director Suzanne Harper and objects
conservator and Hay House Advisory Board
member Alexandra Klingelhofer.
Originally,
the Johnston-Felton-Hay House estate comprised
an entire city block of four acres. After the
death of Hay House builder William B.
Johnston, acreage was sold and developed so
that the Hay House property now covers less
than half a block of a little under two acres.
As a direct result, storm water drainage
fields have been reduced and water collects on
the west side of the house in the walled
sunken garden area next to the old kitchen and
summer living room.
The
moisture coming in from the sunken lawn area
is causing deterioration of mortar and brick
on the outside and plaster and decorative
finishes inside the old kitchen and summer
living room. Moisture has also caused open and
deteriorated mortar joints in the front marble
steps and front porch and is causing the 1859
mortar to disintegrate inside the wine cellar
and wind tunnel below the front porch.
Furthermore, moisture entering here is being
released throughout the house with negative
long-term results.
The
lower level includes not only the old kitchen
and summer living room, but also the summer
dining room, summer bedroom, mechanical rooms,
entrance halls, old furnace room, rear hall,
breezeway, larder and wine cellar vault. Also,
Hay House’s sophisticated technology at the
time it was built is most visible on the lower
level.
Other
restoration continuing at Hay House is
focusing on repairing extensive wood damage on
the exterior. Macon general contractor Chris
R. Sheridan & Co., which handled the roof
replacement and gutter, balcony and cupola
repairs last year, is in charge of the wood
damage repairs. Macon painting contractor A.T.
Long & Son will recreate missing plaster
decoration on the front porch ceiling.
After
wood and plaster repairs are completed, A.T.
Long & Son will paint the wood trim,
windows and doors as well as the interior
ballroom ceiling. A contract is also expected
to be let within a week to repair stained and
hand painted windows and two decorative
stained glass panels over cabinets in the
dining room.
Hay
House is owned and operated by The Georgia
Trust for Historic Preservation, the largest
statewide, nonprofit preservation organization
with more than 8,000 members.
Founded in 1973, the Trust is
committed to preserving and enhancing
Georgia’s communities and their diverse
historic resources for the education and
enjoyment of all. For more information on The
Georgia Trust, go to www.georgiatrust.org.
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