Nicolson Store Architectural Report, Block 17 Building 4 Lot 56 Originally entitled:"Nicolson Shop"
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 1339
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
The two-story Liberty Hall is in Hanover County.
A one and one half story Liberty Hall is in Essex County.
The cornice matches in part the L. H. of Hanover County.
DCH
6/80
MEMO
TO Catherine Schlesinger
FROM Sally Nelson
RE Enclosed
This was what I found in Mary Goodwin's file.
Looks like different drafts of the same report were put together. Hope it helps.
Notes on Interior Nicolson Shop removed for correction and enlargement.
pp 19-23
EMF (?)
ARCHITECTURAL REPORT
NICOLSON SHOP(A Restoration)
Block 17, Col. Lot. #56, Building #4
Nicolson Shop
Block 17, Col. Lot #56, Bldg. 4
(A Restoration)
The Nicolson Shop, on the east end of Lot #56 had been incorporated, early In the nineteenth century in the what has long been known locally as the Lee House. The eighteenth century shop was restored during 1949, 1950 by Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated; under the direction of the Architectural Department. Perry, Shaw and Hepburn, Architects, acted as consultants.
A. E. Kendrew, Vice-President in Charge of the Architectural Department, Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated, Resident Architect
Mario E. Campioli,, Head, Department of Architecture
Singleton P. Moorehead, Coordinator of Design
Ernest M. Frank, Head Draftsman and Designer
Finlay Ferguson, Consultant
Most of the Lee House Study and investigation of the Lot #56 was done under direction of Finlay F. Ferguson. Finlay Ferguson is also responsible for the shaping of the Nicolson Shop plans and elevations. Others who assisted are: John W. Henderson, Ralph F. Bowers, H. H. Chalkley.
Outbuildings received attention from Finlay F. Ferguson, Richard A. Walker and John W. Henderson. Ernest M. Frank was Head Draftsman. Alden Hopkins was responsible for landscape design.
This report was prepared by A. Lawrence Kocher for the Department of Architecture (Colonial Williamsburg) February 6, 1953.
Architectural Report
NICOLSON SHOP
(A Restoration)
Block 17, Col. Lot 56, Bldg. 4
The Nicolson Shop is known to have stood on the easterly end of Lot 56 between the years 1750 and 1815. During the early part of the nineteenth century it was added to and had become incorporated in the Lee House, but was finally destined to lose these excresences when restored by Colonial Williamsburg during 1949, 1950. During the process of removing the modern additions, its framework clearly revealed the marks and notches of its early history, and with it, the evidence of the pre-Revolutionary Nicolson Shop. This, it appeared, was a two story structure, 20'-1 ½" wide by 34'-3" in overall length, with gable end facing the street. This size, it appears, was of fairly common occurrence, suggesting by the uniformity of dimensions as well as by evidence for the gable end toward the street, that not all shops were made-over dwellings but that many were designed and built as shops intended for business purposes.*
The Nicolson Shop, "according to the evidence of its wood framing", says Mr. S. P. Moorehead who directed the interpretation of the building's restoration, "was certainly two stories in height since the old and original corner posts all rose two full stories 2 in height. This fact is borne out by the earliest insurance policies [before 1800] which bear notations that the storehouse was two stories high."* The Frenchman's Map, 1782, seems to show three buildings standing on or approximately on Lot 56, facing Duke of Gloucester Street. For photostat of the Frenchman's Map showing this area see Research Report by Mary Stephenson, October, 1947, p. 12, Illus. #4.
When the building was completely stripped of its weatherboarding, plastering and additions it was possible to point out with positive assurance the original outer walls, window and door openings, partitions, stairs, fireplace and entrance steps. Even the gable end toward the street was determined by the roof framing which appeared to be original and undisturbed.
There were other factors that influenced the plan layout and elevation studies, with ceiling heights. Much of the original shop building remained intact, notwithstanding the several additions made to it. These include some partitions, the fireplace and much of the stairs. The location and size of the front bulkhead and both the side and front entrance foundations were readily distinguished from the foundation remains. The basement grille location in the supporting masonry checks with the location of the early windows above. There remains an unexplained note in Harwood's Journal, 1779, that appears to relate to the shop foundations "to pillering shop [of Mr. Nicolson] Novemr 13, 1779." Because the cost of said "pillering" was small, the inference was that some minor interior supports were added.
History of the Lot and Building Summarized
Because of the involved nature of the various properties associated with Colonial Lot #56, a summary of salient facts is given here.
| 1717/1724 | Records furnish no reference to lot #56 before 1717, at which time this lot is listed as conveyed to John Marot, a secretary to William Byrd of Westover. Marot bequeathed to his wife, Anne, (1718) who later married Timothy Sullivant, ordinary keeper. It is believed that Anne Marot Sullivant operated the ordinary in 1724. |
|---|---|
| 1745 | In 1745, the western part of lot #56, 30 feet in width, and the eastern part of lot #56, 52 feet in width, were held under separate titles. |
| In June, 1745, John Hamer sold the eastern part of the lot to William Hubard, merchant. | |
| 1749 | This same lot was sold by William Hubard to Henry Wetherburn in June 17, 1749. Henry Wetherburn, it is well known, was a leading tavern keeper of Williamsburg. |
| 1751-60 | For the next nine years (1751 - 60) the lot, eastern and western parts, remained in the families of Wetherburn and of James Shields. Wetherburn married in 1751, the daughter of John Marot, Anne Marot Inglis Shields. |
| In the nine years there appears to have been some encroachment upon the adjoining lot to the east, being lot #57, also owned by Wetherburn since Dr. Pasteur came into 61 feet - the eastern part, while keeping the west section for his own use. Pasteur continued to own the central section of lot #56 until 1778. | |
| 4 | |
| 1761 | The Virginia Gazette (Purdie and Dixon) advertised a store in the easterly end of lot #56, as operated by Robert Miller and Company. |
| 1773/1779 | The name of Robert Nicolson first appears in May 12, 1773, when the eastern section was conveyed to Robert Nicolson, who kept the lot, supposedly operating his store on the property, until 1779 when he gave the deed to the property to a William Nicholson. |
| 1779-82 | Humphrey Harwood, builder of Williamsburg, made repairs to his shop during the years 1779 - 82. It is thought that the chimney of the north facade may have been added by Harwood in 1779 at the cost of £ 36.0.0.* William Pasteur, surgeon, continued to own the central section of lot #56 until 1778. During a long period, Dr. Pasteur advertised at intervals in the Virginia Gazette, goods and drugs for sale at his shop. |
| 1796 | Robert Nicolson appears to have held a deed of trust to the property of William Nicolson continuing to hold such a deed until April, 1796, at which time the Mutual Assurance Society issued policy 112 to him, in which the property was described by Robert Nicolson as "My Store Buildings on the Main Street at Williamsburg, now occupied by myself . . ." The store was indicated as 34 feet by 20 feet, together with a shop 27 feet by 20 feet. Both were two-story buildings as is stated by the insurance policies. |
| 1806 | An insurance policy, #645 of the Mutual Assurance Society, May 12, 1806, describes the property: ". . . My two Buildings on the Main Street in Williamsburg situated between Doctr Galts Shop and Mr. John Crumps Tavern in the county of York." |
| 5 | |
| 1815 | In the year 1815, the lot and property further described in insurance Policy #152 that ". . . the said Buildings are at present owned by Robert Greenhow residing at Richmond and are occupied by Peter Desverges." |
| 1871 | Edward M. Lee and Victoria L. Lee, his wife, bought the property in December 1871 at $450, bounded "on the east by the property of the late Thomas 0. Coghill and on the west by the property of J. H. Barlow, Jr." From the Lee family the house received the name "Lee House", down to 1946 when the designation "Nicolson House" was applied. |
EXTERIOR
GENERAL
The Nicolson Shop design, with gable end toward the street, follows the foundation evidence revealed when the walls of the building were stripped. It is also typical of eighteenth century shops found in various localities in Virginia. The illustration shown on this page (from the Eastern Shore) is a characteristic example of shop exterior of Eastern Virginia. Shops and storehouses of Williamsburg with this same relation of building to the street include the Blair Storehouse, Margaret Hunter Shop, and the Apothecary Shop. The two story form of the building was suggested by the original framing timbers which extend from the foundation level to the plate at the ceiling height of the second floor. The window and door locations were likewise fixed by framing openings or notches in the south wall.
The Shop arrangement was established by:
- 1.The existence of stairs, fireplace and partitions in a traditional shop location. These parts were not altered.
- 2.Typical shop plan as illustrated and described by 18th century accounts (Moxon, J., Mechanick Exercises, London, 1703)
- 3.By the nature of merchandise sold in local stores as advertised in the Virginia Gazette.
The two story character of the shop was probably a holdover from the eighteenth century practice when shop keepers lived on 7 the premises using the downstairs as a show room with work area at the rear. The living apartment occupied the upper floor.*
PLAN OF STORE
JOSEPH MOXON, "MECHANICK EXERCISES", LONDON, 1703
The shop plan is eighteenth century in character, basing this statement on the shop plan arrangement shown in Joseph Moxon's Mechanick Exercises, shown in the illustration at left, published in London, 1700 and 1703.** Both schemes indicate the need for space at the front for use as a display room, also sales room while other space at the rear is used for storage, for work, or for probable office use. There is a reference to shops in Neve's Dictionary of Architecture, 1703, which says, "For all know (that know anything) that Merchants and other Traders, 8 cannot subsist without their shop and warehouse." *
SOUTH ELEVATION
The windows that flank the entrance doors of the Nicolson Shop are not the wide and more typical ones of Moxon's plan. This was possibly because the nature of the shop did not demand them. The basis for the adoption of the approximate 32" (3 lights wide) was the existing framing timbers which pointed to the window width as restored. It will be noted on the East and rear elevations that windows, two lights in width, were used. The front sash must therefore have suggested the purpose of a wider window for the principal room of the shop.
SHINGLES
There are no shingles shown on this facade, see East and West Elevations.
There are no dormer windows.
CORNICE
The cornice end board is a terminal against which the east and west cornice is terminated. The profile of the end board follows the profile of the cornice with slight variations. Precedent for the end board profile is found at Liberty Hall, 9 Essex County, Virginia. There is also an example of a cornice end board that follows the profile of the cornice at Toddsbury. See photo book of collected Virginia details.
BULKHEAD
There is a sloping top bulkhead located west of the doorway where the excavated foundation indicated such a stairway. Its position in relation to the entrance steps corresponds with the bulkhead and entrance to the Taliaferro-Cole Shop on Duke of Gloucester Street.
BASEMENT WINDOW
The grilled window opening on this elevation, east of the doorway, is a replica of an existing grille on the west facade (sheet #200 for details). Its preservation in an original condition resulted from the manner in which the house had been altered as the so called "Lee-House", thereby encasing it within the body of the alteration. The grille on the South Elevation was fitted into an old opening with repairs made to the surrounding brickwork.
Three ¾" iron bars were set in to the frame and placed in a horizontal diagonal position, as was done frequently in colonial times. The iron bar was both permanent and safe against intrusion.
EAST ELEVATION
GENERAL
The East Elevation is penetrated with those windows needed for interior light. It is, as was said by Colonial Williamsburg restorers " a natural expression of the shop plan with apartment above it." These windows, we are told, are located for convenience since no evidence for window openings was found in either the west or east walls of the shop section. The adoption of a two light wide window was a natural one since windows of this width, five lights high (see appended illustration) were found in place at the rear (Northeast) wing of the Lee House, and were considered to be original. This same window was used on the restored East, West and North Elevations.
The following discussion of architectural features of the East Elevation is restricted to those design and construction elements that appear on this facade.
SHINGLES
The Nicolson Shop is roofed with round butt asbestos cement shingles. These shingles were manufactured for Colonial Williamsburg and are intended to serve as a substitute for shingles of wood. They are non-inflammable and resemble, in appearance, old wood shingles, partly weathered. The adoption of asbestos-cement shingles was determined by local building regulations. Wood shingles on dwellings are not permitted in the crowded restored area. A fire-safe roofing material is required. The round butt shingle was adopted because many shingles of wood, known to be old because they were found in attics or under added roofs, were with round butt endings. It was a tradition that the round butt shingle lines more regularly than the shingle of square butt made by ha[nd.]
12CORNICE
The cornice is of a type that is characterized as a full cornice, having a typical crown mould above a fascia, and with a well rounded bed molding joining the projecting cornice to the face of the house.
The cornice projects approximately 8 ¾". This is, typical. There is no beaded board against which the bed molding is attached. As an alternate, the bed molding is applied directly to the top range of, weatherboarding. The edge of the projecting cornice box has what is termed today, a beak drip. The precedent for the cornice contour is Liberty Hall of Essex County, Virginia. It is one that is considered appropriate for a two story building.
WALL FACING
The wall of the east facade is faced with weatherboarding with approximately 6" exposure. The boarding has a ½" beaded edge and is of cypress, thus repeating the weatherboarding of colonial times in material and texture. Because of the poor condition and modern nature of weatherboarding, found in place, all facing as restored was new and as indicated here. Its form is the same as weatherboarding on, the Brush-Everard House, which was considered correct in appearance.
FOUNDATIONS/BRICKWORK
The foundation is of brick, partly original and old, and partly new with use made of old brick. Where new brick was laid it was done with special face brick made by Colonial Williamsburg following brick-burning methods of the eighteenth century. Brick size for typical Williamsburg brick is 9" x 4 ¼" x 2 ½" and is similar to brick laid for the walls of the Capitol. Foundation brickwork where it is exposed to view above ground is laid in English bond as was customary in Colonial Virginia. Mortar is composed of crushed oyster shell lime, cement and sand and is intended to give the appearance of old mortar. In most cases a slight amount of tan coloring is added to achieve a desired shade. Brickwork joints average 5/8" in width. These are 13 tooled in a manner resembling the joints of the old court house.
There are no basement window openings on this elevation.
The brickwork for the chimney shown at the north end of this façade is discussed in detail under North Elevation.
WINDOWS
There are three windows that are two lights wide on this facade; one six lights high on the ground floor and two, five lights high on the second. There is one window on the second floor that is three lights wide and five high, repeating an existing southeast window of the front. The two light wide sash were derived from the north side of the Lee House, of which the Nicolson Shop was a part. Windows of this form are also found on the side gable ends of Belle Farm and second floor gable ends of the Bracken House. These windows were added for improved interior lighting and are not based on original ones.
CORNER BOARDS
A two-way corner board treatment is found at the four angles of the shop. This detail needs some explanation. It was the purpose of the corner board on a wood frame (clapboarded) house to receive the weatherboards which are butted against this angle member. It is commonly found as a single board, broad face on the gable side, while its thickness appears only on the side of the house, at right angles to the gable end. With the hip roof house the two way corner board is the usual treatment for the wood framed house.
The angle boards of the Nicolson House are 3 ¼" wide, ¼" thick.*
NORTH ELEVATION
(Facing in the direction of Nicholson Street) This elevation is almost identical with the north facade of the building that projected to the rear of the so-called Lee House when the restoration was undertaken. See photographs that accompany this report.
This gable end has a slight roof slope with six narrow windows, piercing the clapboarded wall (3 windows to a floor) and a slender brick chimney that is supposedly old and original. These architectural features are considered under their respective headings.
GABLE END
The gable ends of the Nicolson Shop follow in their slope, the same roof pitch revealed by the roof framing. No fixed rule can be given for shop roof slopes, although the two story roof of both dwelling and shop tends to be less for the two story building than for the story and a half. That this roof pitch is original and actual is based on the fact that it existed in the present gable framing of this facade. Investigation by the restoration architects revealed the studs of the north gable to be with undisturbed mortises fitted into the rafters and top of the peak.
A portion of the 18th century rakeboard of this north gable still remains and helps to bear out the conclusion that this roof pitch is the original one and was not changed with the nineteenth century enlargement of the entire house.
WINDOWS
The two-light-wide windows of the North Elevation are considered to be authentically eighteenth century, first by their existence on the building at the time the structure was subjected to examination and restoration also because of the common occurrence of this type locally. Another basis for their 15 being considered authentic is the framing evidence which confirmed their precise location and width.
It is of some interest to recall other appearances of the two light wide sash, such as, the west gable of the Roper-Lee House and the two west gables of the Coke-Garrett House.
The window trim, consisting of an approximately 2 ¼" wide board, is based on the so called "antique" trim that was found in places as "surround" to sash. Not all of the sash found in place was considered original. The northeast window (north elevation) second floor, was found to be old and it served as the model followed by the other windows.
None of the two-light wide windows of the Nicolson Shop were supplied with shutters. These were restricted to the wider sash of the south end.
BASEMENT GRILLE
The basement grille is new, added for ventilation. It has louvered slate, with a frame that follows closely the original basement frame of the west elevation. See South Elevation for further discussion of basement grille.
BASEMENT WALL
The basement wall is laid with English bond where the wall is exposed to view. The brickwork is built of old brick with patching of brick that reproduce the color and appearance of eighteenth century brick. See files of the Division of Architecture for accounts of colonial brick, brickmaking and brick textures.
CHIMNEY
The chimney of the North Elevation stands outside the building but is attached to the height of the cornice. The 16 lower part of the chimney is considered old if not original to the eighteenth century. The upper part, above the cornice, was rebuilt at the time the restoration of the shop was carried on. The upper form of the old chimney was followed without change. See East Elevation for a further discussion of the chimney.*
CORNICE END BOARDS CORNER BOARDS
See East Elevation for an account of the cornice, corner boards and cornice and boards.
PHOTOGRAPH OF NORTH ELEVATION
[WEST ELEVATION]
GENERAL
The West Elevation has a single window on the second floor, also a side-entrance doorway on the ground floor. The absence of windows suggests store usage with wall space within intended for shelving, cases and stairway. Perhaps the most important detail of this façade is the basement grille, existant when the house was stripped of additions. It was found in the basement where it had been preserved and thus served as the model for other grilled openings in the foundation.
SHINGLES
See discussion on East Elevation. All shingles are of asbestos cement with round butts.
CORNICE
This is a full cornice with crown molding, fascia, and bed molds as a top termination of the weatherboarded siding. The bed molding is applied directly against the top weatherboard. See full discussion of cornice under the heading: East Elevation.
WINDOW/SHUTTER
There is one window on the second floor; three lights wide, five high. Precedent for this sash is discussed under East Elevation. Window shutters for the second floor window have three panels with diagonal boards within the paned frame. Precedent for this shutter design is found in Yorktown (Customs House). All shutters are new. For hanging of shutters see hardware section.
DOOR
The door is new encased by a 2" wide unmolded trim. The door location was determined by the existence of the door in this location, where it served as a side entrance. It probably was always in this position, see plan of Nicolson Shop. The six panel door is new and is similar to the front door of the James Geddy House. Five of the fifteen doors of the shops are old and supposedly are original. Wherever possible these old doors were 18 repaired and their existence continued. See framing plans, #M4, M5.
CORNER BOARD
The corner board is discussed under first elevation.
WALLS
All exterior walls were replaced with new weatherboarding since the old facing was in bad condition and was considered to have been applied after 1800. See East Elevation for full account of weatherboarding.
FOUNDATIONS
The foundation of the shop is brick laid with English bond where it appears above the grade. See North and East Elevation for account of brickwork.
GRILLE
There is a grilled window opening in the foundation wall. It has a solid wood, original frame, beaded on the inner angle. 3 ¾" iron bars, set at an angle were intended to exclude intruders. A glazed window was introduced on the inner side of the opening, intended to close the basement in winter with modern heating.
COLOR NOTES
NICOLSON SHOP
SCHEDULE OF INTERIOR PAINT COLORS
| Location & Surface | Color | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| First Floor | ||
| Living Room | ||
| Doors & door trim | Blue #136 | Satin |
| Windows & Window Trim | Blue #136 | Satin |
| Sheathing boards on walls and radiator enclosures | Gray #862 | Satin |
| Baseboard | Black | Satin |
| Ceiling | White with light tint of #862 | Flat |
| Dining Kitchen Room | ||
| Woodwork: Doors, Windows and Trim | Gray #225 | Satin |
| Baseboard Dark | Brown #288 | Flat |
| Walls & Ceiling | White with light tint of #225 | Flat |
| Fireplace face | Dark Brown #288 | Flat |
| Closets: Same as Dining Kitchen Room | ||
| Hall & Entry & Closets | ||
| Woodwork: Doors and trim | Gray #225 | Satin |
| Baseboard | Dark Brown #288 | Satin |
| Walls | White with light tint of #225 | Flat |
| Ceiling | White with lighter tint of #225 | Flat |
| Stairs | ||
| Treads | Clean | Waxed |
| Risers | Dark Brown #288 | Satin |
| Wall string | Dark Brown #288 | Satin |
| Newels & Hand rail | Gray #225 | Satin |
| Outer string | Gray #225 | Satin |
| Middle rail | Warm Gray #189 | Satin |
| Balusters - second floor | Warm Gray #189 | Satin |
| Inner face of outer string | Dark Brown #288 | Satin |
| Second-Floor Hall | ||
| Woodwork, doors, and trim | Gray #189 | Satin |
| Baseboard | Brown #288 | Satin |
| Walls | White with light tint of #189 | Flat |
| Ceiling | White with light tint of #189 | Flat |
| 20 | ||
| Bed Room #1 | ||
| Woodwork, doors, and trim | Gray Buff #862 | Satin |
| Baseboard | Black | Satin |
| Walls | White with light tint of #862 | Flat |
| Ceiling | White with lighter tint of #862 | Flat |
| Closet Same as Bed Room #1 | ||
| Bed Room #2 | ||
| Woodwork, doors and trim | Green #735 | Satin |
| Baseboard | Brown #288 | Satin |
| Walls | White with light tint of #735 | Flat |
| Ceiling | White with lighter tint of #735 | Flat |
| Fireplace Face | Brown #288 | Flat |
| Fireplace Fill | Black | Flat |
| Closet Same as Bed Room #2 | ||
| Bath Room | ||
| Woodwork, doors and trim | Gray #862 | Satin |
| Baseboard | Black | Satin |
| Walls and ceiling | White with light tint of #862 | Flat |
Footnotes
Shops appear to have been subject to frequent alterations and changes due to the prevailingly brief tenure of occupancy. The so called oldest shop in London "is the one in Macclesfield Street, Soho, built about 1690."
For an account of shops and their early eighteenth century arrangement, see: D. Defoe, The Complete English Tradesman, 1732. The fitting up of a pastrycook's shop is given in the Architects' Journal, July 31, 1885, p. 71.
THE NICHOLSON SHOP
Block 17, Building 4
Restoration completed January 1950
The Nicholson Shop which was built by 1750 was, like the Margaret Hunter Shop in the same block, completely altered in the 19th century and presented the Restoration Architects with a major detective problem to solve. Happily its original form was plainly evident in the original framing when it was exposed, and a bit of each major part of its architectural embellishment remained for study and reproduction.
The shop is typical of Williamsburg 18th century shops in that it is narrow and presents its small dimension to the street; it also provided both public "shopping space" and living quarters under the same roof. It is a little unusual in that it is two stories high and has ordinary size rather than large size show windows. It has perhaps, less architectural pretension than any other shop in town, having a simple cornice with no modillions, the plainest sort of gable toward the street, and nothing like the ostentation of wall treatment to be seen on the Pasteur Galt Apothecary shop next door. It is one of the few Williamsburg buildings in which traces of 18th century wall paper were found. A "Fox-Grape" pattern wall paper was found hung on the flushboard wall sheathing which had been closed into a furred space during the 19th century.
During the 19th century the Shop was turned into a residence by the addition of an Ell along Duke of Gloucester Street which more than doubled the street front length of the building and changed the slope of the roof to eliminate the gable. Fortunately in making the change only the front portion of the original roof framing was altered, all the rest
2
of the original work remained in place with bits of window, door, chair rail etc. unchanged. Where changes had been necessary when the house was enlarged the builders made only those changes to the original fabric which were essential to their work, happily leaving ample evidence of the original work intact.
The exterior of this little building which now presents again its stark appearance to the passer-by, is an accurate restoration since each feature and detail was confirmed by original work which was found in place or unmistakable evidence of its original existence identified in the fabric of the structure.
The chimney is original except for the part above the second floor fireplace and is a little unusual in that it is laid entirely in English Bond except for the upper portion.
The Front or Public Sales Room, (now a living room) still has old, and possibly its original flooring and baseboards, the sheathed walls reproduce the original sheathing which still remained on the east wall (on which had been hung the 18th century wall paper.) The original door and frame to the rear room were found in place but the trim on this side had been "modernized."
The Rear or Counting Room, (now Kitchen-Dining Room) retains its original flooring, baseboards, and mantel, the chair rail is a reproduction of the original member which was in place along the stair hall wall to the west.
The Stairway is entirely original except for the rail along the second floor which is a reproduction based upon the original hand rail treatment found in place on the rest of the stairway.
2The exterior of this little building which now presents again its stark appearance to the passer-by, is an accurate restoration since each feature and detail was confirmed by original work which was found in place or unmistakable evidence of its original existence identified in the fabric of the structure.
The chimney is original except for the part above the second floor fireplace and is a little unusual, in that it is laid entirely in English Bond except for the upper portion.
The Front or Public Sales Room, (now a living room) still has old, and possibly its original flooring and baseboards, the sheathed walls reproduce the original sheathing which still remained on the east wall (on which had been hung the 18th century wall paper.) The original glazed door and frame to the rear room were found in place but the trim on this side had been modernized. This 19th century trim was replaced with trim to match the original counterpart.
The Rear or Counting Room, (now Kitchen-Dining Room) retains its original flooring, baseboards, and mantel, the chair rail is a reproduction of the original member which was in place along the stair hall wall to the west.
The Stairway is entirely original except for the rail along the second floor which is a reproduction based upon the original hand rail treatment found in place on the rest of the stairway.
The Basement extends under the entire shop and is accessible by the inside stairway and a street bulkhead used for the receipt of merchandise.
The Second Floor retains its original flooring and mantel. The partitions too, are as they were except for the addition of closets and bathroom which were installed for modern convenience.
Errata
No Lektriever file was found for this report. In the special collections file, there are a few gaps left for images, yet the images are not there. A spot was left for these images in the numbering conventions.