In June, the Historical Society announced its contract with Silver, Petrucelli + Associates of Hamden, CT, to conduct a Condition Assessment and HVAC Feasibility Study of the Alexander King House, a building of significant historical importance. The historic architecture firm has submitted its report to the Society. In summary, the building is safe to continue business as usual. However, the analysis recommends nearly $1 million worth of work in the coming years to ensure its preservation for future generations. The assessment lists many projects that the Board of Trustees must prioritize, plan and fund.
Regrettably, the most visible issue to passersby is the north exterior wall of the King House. This wall has been a persistent challenge since the house was reconstructed following the devastating 1983 fire. On December 30 of that year, a fire broke out in the basement, destroying over 50% of the house, along with numerous historic items and furniture. A significant reconstruction and restoration project allowed the museum to reopen on May 4, 1985.
The north wall was just one part of the building that was severely damaged and required substantial rebuilding. Unfortunately, less than six years later, the paint was blistering and flaking, much like you see today. The wall was re-sided and repainted in 1991. It has been repainted several times since then. As other homeowners may be able to relate, the north wall of a house is prone to problems associated with minimal sunshine. Historic homeowners are also probably familiar with internal air circulation and moisture problems. The King House has been dealing with those, too.
A stream of people, including members of our community, have attempted to solve the multifaceted mystery behind this paint problem over the past few months. The most appropriate fix appears to be re-siding the wall for a third time. Unfortunately, now that temperatures are unsuitable for painting, we must wait until spring to tackle this project. That allows time to raise funds to cover the expected cost of $40,000. The Historical Society appreciates your patience with the current appearance of the King House, and we want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to preserve this historical gem. Your support in this project is crucial and greatly appreciated.