"The original slate roof was disintegrating badly and leaking for many years, causing damage to the interior, and requiring a new slate roof. The slate work is being performed by "Short Slate", using time-honored traditional slating methods. We are currently waiting for the observatory dormer windows to be constructed and installed before Short Slate completes the roof work. In case you were wondering, the original observatory windows were replaced with non-historic aluminum windows about a decade ago. Wanting the house to be historically correct, and in good stead with the LPC, we poured over historical photographs and visited Reed's sister house in Cortland NY, (now the 1890 House Museum), and worked with architect Joseph Pell Lombardi to draw new windows. Mike Kershaw of "Wood Window Workshop" is constructing the new observatory windows; they will look identical to the 1888 originals.
Every detail on this project is important to us; we want the craftsmanship to be of superlative quality for this highly visible and much appreciated Harlem Landmark. We are grateful for the encouragement patience of everyone in the neighborhood. Hopefully we can remove the scaffold by the end of this year."
As many may know, this is the mansion that the partner of the famous Barnum and Bailey circus built in 1886 but has mostly been a funeral home for several decades know until it was sold back in 2009: LINK
I am so happy to hear that the owners are trying to be as historically correct as is possible. I imagine it will be a slow and expensive process- but the end result should be amazing.
ReplyDeleteGreat job and ambitious project, should be remarkable when completed.
ReplyDeleteWow. Look at the stained glass!!
ReplyDeleteNow if we can just get rid of that Gas Station across the street and turn it into a park the area would be beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much to the owners for their efforts. Harlem will be more beautiful because of their work! And please have an open house for your neighbors sometime ;-)
ReplyDeleteI agree with 764 St. Nick. Please do have an open house. :) I'm glad that the home owners are doing their best to preserve this beautiful building. Keep on posting cool finds, Ulysses. Your readers always look forward to it.
ReplyDeleteSasha Herrick
We live right on the block and have been following the history and ownership of the mansion. It would be so awesome if you guys had an open house, maybe you could post it on this blog to keep it quiet? Congrats on your new home, and thank you for keeping it beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing this house and wondered way such a stand out building was just a funeral home. Now I know some of the history. Harlem continues to fascinate me after all these years. I hope to be able to move back one day.
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