postcards

Keast & Hood Co.'s ongoing preservation has included preparation of an Historic Structure Report (with 1:1:6 Technologies Inc., Bruce E. Brooks & Associates & Vertical Access) detailing William Strickland's 1828 tower. Thick siding planks are connected and reinforced with vertical iron rods. Replacement of one board requires disassembly of the entire wall. Non-destructive X-ray and resistance drill testing uncovered historic graffiti and assessed the condition of the rods and wood. A full-scale mockup was built to find the least-destructive methods for disassembly, removal of deteriorated elements, and reconstruction. Materials were recycled timbers salvaged from the Curtis Institute of Music’s Lenfest Hall project. Repair work will begin after July 4, 2010.