Stone Building Historic Structure Report 2009 MTS

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HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT Executive Summary The Stone Building LEXINGTON, MA It was a privilege to be selected to study and conceive of strategies to preserve Lexington's venerable Stone Building. The challenges of preserving the historic fabric of this distinguished old building while facilitating its rebirth as a functional, accessible community resource are many, but the rewards are rich for the residents of Lexington. Paramount in our approach was the retention of the building's uniquely important historic character and its embodied association with Asher Benjamin and the Greek Revival in American architecture, beautifully expressed in the East Lexington neighborhood in residential buildings and especially in the Follen Church. Today, after performing the Historic Structure Report and Recommendations, we have a deep understanding of the historic significance of the Stone Building as one of the United State's earliest Lyceums built purposefully for enlightened dialogue and learning. We know which of the issues observed in examination of the physical condition are of real concern, and which can be readily managed. We appreciate the constraints and opportunities of the historic building, and have envisioned a rehabilitation scenario that helps achieve the community uses envisioned by the Town and would continue the tradition of intellectual discourse and lively public use for the citizens of Lexington. We also have cost recommendations attached to immediate repairs, permanent stabilization of the historic building, and renovations and additions that will expand the accessibility and functionality of the building and extend its life within the community for generations to come. In June 2009, Menders, Torrey & Spencer, Inc. (MTS) was engaged by the Town of Lexington, acting through Carl F. Valente, Town Administrator, to provide a detailed Historic Structure Report for the Stone Building. Stated requirements included identifying changes in the building over time, assessing stabilization needs, restoration plans, paint analysis of paint schemes over time, preparing a cyclical maintenance plan and adaptive use and universal access assessment. The report's overarching objective was to lay the groundwork for understanding the history of the building and describe needs to be met for use of the building compatible with its history. The study is broken into four parts and begins with an historical analysis of the historic setting and context, the rationale for construction of The Stone Building, and a chronology of use history. Next is the architectural history, an annotated chronology of the building from 1833 to the completion of this report. Following that are four pages of floor plans illustrating the conjectural original construction, changes in the 19"' century, the 1946 -1947 renovation and the 2009 plan. With history as a foundation, the report then describes structural deficiencies and building code concerns, assesses the historic building fabric, identifies character - defining features, describes and prioritizes preservation treatments, provides estimates for those treatments, and lays out a cyclical maintenance plan. The second part of the report contains the materials investigations. Exterior paint analysis has chronicled 19 generations of exterior painting, including surprising early paints that included sand paints and pigments. Interior analysis shows less layering, as is expected, and speculation about use of calcimine paint that has left no trace. The section concludes with a listing of character - defining features, which are physical elements of building history that tie directly to its historical significance as an early Lyceum. Our recommendations begin with conditions assessment of the building today. Following that is a description of work to be executed in the Fall and Winter of 2009 as immediate stabilization, projected at a cost of $15,000. Long -term preservation of the historic building consists of restoring the building envelope at a projected cost of $205,000. Finally, interior rehabilitation and construction of an addition in the not -too- distant future is described at a projected cost of $1,625,000. Menders, Torrey & Spencer, Inc. vu 2009