Preservation Achievement Awards 2024: Three Models of Re-Use
Investment in new uses for old buildings can be critical to their viability, and re-use projects create very positive social and economic “ripple” effects in their communities. Here are three impressive re-use projects honored with preservation achievement awards this year.
Susan Mathison: For the rehabilitation and re-use of the Lower Intervale Grange, Plymouth
Partners:
Turley Contracting
Steve Rand
Alex Ray
The Lower Interval Grange was built in 1912 and used until the late 20-teens. The current owners bought the largely intact but badly deteriorated structure in November 2020 with a plan to revive it as a distinctive short-term rental property. Federal historic preservation tax credits helped fund the project, and we hope this success will inspire other similar-scale projects.
Nearly a dozen craftspeople worked together on the rehabilitation, sharing a clear understanding of the importance of this unique and beautiful structure. With respect for all who had loved the building before, they patiently restored, rewired, rebuilt, reinforced, insulated, and protected every original element in the anterooms and Main Hall, and in the lower-level kitchen and dining rooms. A new well was drilled, the foundation reinforced, and a bathroom added. From the preservation of wavy glass to patches for the rusted tin ceiling, elements were fabricated, glazed, painted, and brought back to life. The electrical system was updated, and new plumbing and heating systems installed. Original light fixtures were rewired and restored.
Today the Grange serves as a short-term rental. Interpretive signs tell the building’s story to hundreds of people who have enjoyed staying here over the two years since its completion, and the many, many more who will enjoy it into the future.
“Restoration of the Lower Intervale Grange was both an honor and a wonderful journey of historic preservation problem solving! The Grangers were pioneers in agriculture and community leadership and the Grange movement played an important part in the cultural and agrarian histories of New England. The Lower Intervale Grange stands in witness and testament to that important time in New Hampshire. The restoration of the Lower Intervale Grange was a labor of love to preserve and interpret a unique and important time and place in history and to share its story with a wide audience of visitors. The restored Grange pays homage to both craftsmanship and community and we are honored to preserve it for generations to come”
Kreg and Danielle Jones: For the re-use of the North Weare Schoolhouse
Partner:
J1st Services
This eye catching 1856 building blends elements of Federal, Greek Revival, and Italianate styles. It remained in use as a school until 1952, then the local Grange used it for the next twenty-five years. Recently, the new owners of this National Register-listed property renovated it for their home and office.
Their approach retains the essential volume of the original classroom space with its 14 foot ceilings. The brick walls, granite foundation, unusual cast iron columns at the entrance, bell tower, and arched window openings were all in good shape. They restored the 1920s tin ceiling, floors, and the original staircase. Even the bell pulley system was retained. Walls had been stripped previously, so three of the four walls were insulated and sheetrocked. Pendant schoolhouse-type fixtures illuminate the open plan kitchen and living room space, and new cast-iron radiators provide a sense of history too.
Upstairs, the space was adapted to house the primary bedroom and bath. A poorly built 1960s addition required more work, including excavation for a new foundation to permit higher ceilings. This section of the house is now home to their business, Inscription Architects. This heart-and-soul effort is a stunning home and a wonderful addition to the community
“Since Kreg began his architecture career working for John G. Waite Associates, one of the leading historic preservation architecture firms in America, he has had a long interest in preserving landmark buildings. While this project began with personal goals—teaching our teenage son carpentry skills during the Covid shutdown—we’re thrilled that it has had community-wide interest. It’s been a real honor to restore a building with the support of locals who stop to tell us stories about how they went to school here or attended community events.”
Saint Anselm College: For the rehabilitation and re-use of the boiler plant building for the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute
Partners:
Milestone Construction, LLC
Placework
Thornton Thomasetti Structural Engineers
Design Day Mechanical
Stimson
The Grappone Family
National Endowment for the Humanities
After considering demolition of this deteriorated vernacular building at the heart of the school’s campus, the college embraced preservation and revitalization and created a new classroom and program space dedicated to the study of the humanities, a subject central to the college's curriculum and embraced by the late Greg Grappone who graduated in 2004.
Preservation and re-use of the long-vacant former heating plant presented numerous challenges and opportunities. The architectural team successfully incorporated original features such as the chimney, coal chute, and areas of exposed bricks to acknowledge the building's early use and provide a tangible reminder of its history and function. The coal chute was repurposed to allow borrowed light into the lower level, and the obsolete chimney was retained as a visual reminder of the building's former use.
Modern angles and features on the interior give the building a new sense of purpose and identity. Open classrooms and sitting areas, a sonnet stage, and granite sitting walls foster an environment conducive to thoughtful discourse and collaboration among students. This rehabilitation and re-use project stands as a testament to the school's values, and to its dedication to preserving and repurposing its historic structures
“Saint Anselm College and The Grappone Humanities Institute are so gratified to be recognized and honored by the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance for their vision and work to preserve and re-purpose the College’s original boiler plant into a beautiful and centrally located home for the humanities on its campus. Preservation of its history and stories through its structures is a long held Benedictine value, and in this case the shared vision of a philanthropic family, a college faculty and leadership, and the architectural and construction partners they enlisted to bring it to life have resulted in a structure that will do more than just preserve a history. It will preserve and the cultivate the humanities in the lives of students for generations to come”
Learn more about this year’s Award winners here. If you have a re-use profile to share, let us know!