Past Projects
Putnam House
Carrington, ND
History
The imposing, American Foursquare Putnam House was
built between 1903 and 1907 by a lumber magnate from the east, Thomas Nichols
Putnam. Mr. Putnam was one of the early settlers to Carrington, owning
and operating a leading lumberyard until his death. The home is a surviving
intact and unaltered structure that conveys the business success of its builder
through its architecture as well as economic value at the time of construction.
The
home is one of the few remaining homes in the area exhibiting unaltered American
Foursquare embellished with classical features in the neo classical architectural
tradition, common at the turn of the century. The home has a well preserved
interior but time and weather had taken its toll to the exterior.
Roof and Columns Project
The Foster County Historical Society
has made it a focus to restore the exterior of the Putnam House. Over the
years of the harsh North Dakota weather deterioration of the exterior of the
Putnam House was beginning to show. Phase I in 2002 focused on the gutters
and soffits which were leaking and causing extensive deterioration to the home’s
wood siding.
Phase II in 2003 continued restoration work on the exterior
focused on the roofs over the wrap around porch and the nine ionic columns
supporting the roof. The existing rolled roofing was removed from the three
roofs on the porch and replaced with rubber roofing. During initial planning,
it was hoped that parts of the original columns would be retained.
As the work began the original wood columns were deteriorated beyond repair
from extensive water damage. All nine of the columns were replaced and salvaged
portions of the columns were saved in the homes archives.
In 2001,
the House became part of the Foster County Historical Society and has developed
it into a rural cultural and community center for the region.
Mayville Public Library
52 Center Avenue North
Mayville, ND
The Mayville Public Library was built in 1900 and listed in the National Register of Historic
Places in 1977. The building is an example of classical architecture with a symmetrical
arrangement and simple geometric forms.
In 2001, the Mayville Public Library, received a HPF grant for the repair of interior water
damage and improvements in the landscaping around the building to prevent further water
damage.
In 2005, the Mayville Public Library, received a HPF grant for the restoration of the main entry
stairs. Over the years the stairs had settled and caused cracks to appear in the risers and water to
collect and further deteriorate the retaining walls. The project called for a frost depth foundation
was installed to support the stairs and insure proper drainage.
Former Governor’s Mansion
Bismarck ND
Built in 1884 as a private residence, the mansion was purchased by the state in 1893. The house was the North Dakota governors' residence from 1893 to 1960. Built in the popular Victorian style of the late nineteenth century the FGM has multicolored walls, an asymmetrical facade, and steeply pitched roofs.
The Carriage House was built in approximately 1903 and was used to house the governor’s caretaker on the second floor and a workshop on the main level.
In 2004 the FGM received a HPF grant to replace the foundation of the Carriage House. The Carriage House now houses meeting room space and the site manager’s office.
In 2006, the FGM received a HPF grant to update the electrical system. Much of the system was installed in the 1930s and was a concern as a fire hazard.
Central High School
325 7th Street NE
Devils Lake ND
Devils Lake Central High School, now known as Central Middle School was built in 1935 to address the increasing enrollment of the Devils Lake school system. The school housed grades 7- 12 until the fall of 1992, when Devils Lake dedicated a new high school on the north end of the city. The building now houses grades five through eight and serves as the Middle School.
The exterior of the school remains relatively unchanged. Influenced by the popular art deco style of the 1930s the Central High School has clean lines and little ornamentation.
In 2005, Central High School received a grant to assist in restoration of the exterior. Work included resetting, repointing and cleaning of the exterior.