Masonry Magazine November 2005 Page. 29
Now, six decades later, its primary purpose is historic interpretation, and the National Park Service (NPS) has launched a major effort to repair, stabilize and rehabilitate the fort, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
It is a daunting assignment, given the ravages of long-term moisture intrusion and vegetative growth on and in the stone, brick and mortar façade. The failure of as-needed repairs became obvious in 1999, when a section of the northwest demi-bastion wall collapsed, requiring emergency repairs.
The current two-phase project is focused on stabilizing the fort and then preventing further deterioration. Phase one addresses wall stability and improving the supporting drainage system. Phase two will stabilize supporting earthen terraces, slopes, structural buildings and features.
The restoration team consists of Schiffer Mason Contractors Inc./SMC Historic Preservation Group of Holt, Mich., and construction manager The Christman Company's Historic Preservation Group, led by nationally recognized Ronald Staley. Both team members are more than up to the challenge, having proven their unique mettle restoring Michigan's historic Fort Mackinac on Mackinaw Island and The Old Governor's Mansion in Milledgeville, Ga.
The current two-phase project
is focused on stabilizing the fort and then preventing further deterioration.
Larry Darling, director of education for the International Masonry Institute, which certified SMC through its Contractor College program, praises their skills.
"Their ability to assess reliable costs, with preliminary information and their diagnostic skills at assessing the pathology' of historic structures contributed to their winning the contract," Darling states. In fact, their sleuthing and planning started well in advance of the project.
"Soon after we became aware of the National Park Service's desire to identify and stabilize Fort Washington, we started gathering information," says SMC President Dan Schiffer. "We wanted to know about when it was originally built, were there additions, repairs, any history of previous restorations? We went to the Internet and scoured National Park Service records."
SMC also went to the site with team leader Ron Staley from The Christman Company. "Basically, our preliminary planning for this project happened at least a year before the NPS actually established the timeline for receiving proposals on the work," says Schiffer.
"On a project like Fort Washington, you don't have the benefit of detailed drawings and custom specifications
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