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Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in December,
2004
For decades the Mitchell-Ward house was divided into small apartments, and gradually deteriorated into almost
total disrepair. What was once a wonderful example of a Folk Victorian home with Eastlake
and Queen Anne influences, became an old house that appeared to be near the end of its usefulness. But despite appearances,
the Mitchell-Ward House had “good bones”, thanks to the original carpenter/builder, Robert Summers. And fortunately,
the original interior architectural details – windows, trim, archways, decorative details – had not been removed,
but had simply been covered up. The following describes the steps that were taken to restore this historic structure.
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DEMOLITION The first steps
were: (1) remove all superfluous materials (2) to expose all porches, three of which
had been extended and enclosed to create more living space for the apartments (3) remove all material damaged by water
and/or termites (4) remove all windows, doors and trim, both interior and exterior for restoration This meant it was necessary to: (1) remove all kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing
and electrical (2) remove al floor coverings to expose bare wood floors (or remove damaged floors) (3) remove paneling, wallpaper and muslin
to expose bare interior walls, the studs of which which were paneled floor to ceiling with rough-cut horizontal planks throughout (4) remove false ceilings to reveal original
ceiling planks (5) remove all roofing material (up to eight roofs, including the 1897 cedar shakes) to expose
the roof rafters/joists, and (6) remove all siding damaged by weather, termites or bad paint. As a result, over eighty tons of debris were hauled away.
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RESTORATION - Foundation –
The original foundation was a mix of field stones, stumps, logs and unfired bricks. After extensive leveling of the entire
house, these were removed and replaced with beams and piers and with a perimeter foundation of fired brick-and-mortar.
- Windows/Doors/Trim -
Over 1,000 pieces of trim, 84 windows and 22 doors were catalogued, removed, striped, repaired, restored, and re-installed.
The original fireplace surround and mantel was also restored re-installed with a marble sub-surround and a re-bricked interior.
- Roof – The structural
elements of the roof were repaired, ¾ inch decking and felt installed,
topped with 30-year architectural shingles.
- Mechanicals
– All new wiring, plumbing and central air/heat systems were installed according to national and local building codes.
- Porches – All five porches were restored to the original 1897 footprint
and appearance. This meant rebuilding approximately 80% of the porch structures. The porch trim was reproduced from historic
photographs of the house.
- Interior
floors – Approximately half of the interior pine tongue and groove floors had to be replaced, the other half stripped,
sanded and restored.
- Interior walls – All interior walls and most ceilings were sheathed
in 3/8 inch drywall, taped, floated and finished with wallpapers by York. This meant that because walls were now 3/8 inch thicker, all window and door frames
had to be furred out by that amount in order for doors, windows and trim to fit.
- Kitchen/Baths – The full-service kitchen has an original
built-in pantry, and newly installed hickory cabinets with marble countertops, and new appliances. The master bath on the
first floor has reproduction hexagonal floor tiles, marble and glass shower, and a vanity made from a converted Edwardian
sideboard with surface-mount porcelain vessel sink and Italian single post faucet. A washer-dryer has been installed in the
closet in the master bath. The upstairs bath has a restored clawfoot bathtub, and modern pedestal sink and toiled by Kohler.
- Exterior – Approximately 75% of the exterior siding was replaced.
The entire exterior has been professionally painted, including all porch trim and floors.
- Landscaping – A reproduction 4 foot Victorian iron fence has been
installed on three sides of the property, with a 6 foot privacy fence installed on the North side. The entire property within
the fenced area – about 7,000 square feet - has been professionally landscaped by Westwood
Gardens in Fayetteville,
AR. Approximately 40% of the space is turf, and 60% is mulched planting space for trees,
shrubs and flowers. Fourteen mature trees were planted, as well as several hundred
shrubs and flowers.
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