Restoring a Window with Black Tinted Glazing (Part II)

By Jeffrey Larry
As mentioned in a previous blog entry, the recent replacement of a diamond shaped window pane (Figure 1) from the Cottage’s north elevation raised the issue of whether to use traditional linseed oil putty or a modern putty when setting the glass. The pros and cons of both materials were presented but in order [...]

The Pink Parlor

By Erin Carlson Mast
The interpretation in the Cottage is focused on Lincoln’s presidency, of which he spent nearly 14 months living here at the Soldiers’ Home.  The tour does not emphasize decorative arts or furnishings for the sake of aesthetics, and is minimally furnished–in part because very little information exists regarding what the Lincolns had in the Cottage.  Any furnishings [...]

Paint Analysis and Plaster Repair (Part II)

By Jeffrey Larry
The results from the April 3, 2009 paint analysis, conducted by Historic Paint Finishes consultant, Matthew Mosca arrived last month at President Lincoln’s Cottage.  Though an excellent photochronology dating back to the Cottage’s first paint layer was obtained, it did confirm that much more study is needed throughout the house to better understand the finishes [...]

Restoring a Window with Black-tinted Glazing (Part I)

By Jeffrey Larry
Typically when replacing a piece of glass in a wooden window frame, the glass is placed into the frame on a bedding of window glazing putty and held in place with some type of pin. A putty knife is then used to install glazing putty at an angle between the glass and the [...]

Plaster Repair and Paint Analysis at President Lincoln’s Cottage (Part I)

By Jeffrey Larry
President Lincoln’s Cottage is only one year from completion of an extensive seven year restoration, but the job of preserving this 167 year old building is ongoing. Not long after the restoration was completed small hairline cracks became visible on the wall going up the stairs from the first to second floor and [...]

Lincoln Bicentennial Talk at Village Learning Place in Baltimore

Commemorate the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.  Jeffrey, Larry, Preservation Manager at President Lincoln’s Cottage will discuss Lincoln’s life while residing at the Cottage during the summer and fall of 1862-4.  Larry will also discuss the rich architectural history of the Cottage, located on the grounds of the “Soldiers’ Home”  (now known as [...]

President Lincoln’s Cottage Wins Mayor’s Award

The restoration project at President Lincoln’s Cottage received recognition from the Mayor’s office last week. Barbara Campagna, National Trust for Historic Preservation Graham Gund Architect, attended on behalf of the site. Read about it here: http://blogs.nationaltrust.org/preservationnation/?p=1762

2008 Restoration Project of the Year

President Lincoln’s Cottage Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center was awarded the title “Restoration Project of the Year” by Mid-Atlantic Construction magazine this week. 

Bruce Buckley, managing editor of Mid-Atlantic Construction called this year’s pool the “most competitive” ever with a “record number of entries.” 
Jurors are pulled from architects, engineers, and general contractors active in the [...]

A Look Back at Restoration

By Erin Carlson Mast
A member of the construction management company that oversaw preservation and restoration of the Cottage interior and rehabilitation of the Visitor Education Center recently forwarded us a photo he snapped in the Cottage in March 2007.

This view shows workers removing loose paint in the entry hallway.  In the foreground is the library [...]

Final Installations

By Erin Carlson Mast
With opening only a couple short weeks away, finishing touches are being completed on the interior of President Lincoln’s Cottage.  Yesterday, The Gfroerer Company completed hand-stitched binding and installation of woven cocoa matting in the library and drawing room.

Cocoa matting was selected for the Cottage because it appears on a May 1864 invoice from [...]