Press on Preservation

Last week, PTF was featured in two more articles, these ones about developments at the Abyssinian.  The DownEast article focuses on the social history of the building as well as the people responsible for its restoration.  It contains some of my favorite stories about the building, including its origin story, and how it was saved…

Traditional Repair of the Abyssinian Meetinghouse

Built in 1828, the Abyssinian Meetinghouse is the third oldest African American meetinghouse in the country.  PTF was fortunate to join the restoration project in 2005, removing the tenement apartments inside, and repairing the king post truss frame.  In 2010, we rebuilt the cornice, and completed the roof and basement phases. In October 2010, archaeologists dug around the…

Sill Crazy After All These Years

We’ve begun work on the Abyssinian Meetinghouse again.  Last week, archaeologists dug test pits in the basement and driveway, while we worked on cutting a new front sill.  After years of damage, no part of the original front sill could be saved. Click on the photos below for a complete description.

Friezing to Avoid Freezing

Over the last month, our Damariscotta crew has been busy.  We completed the frieze, fascia, crown and bed moldings.  We helped to install the clock, assembling the clock faces and carefully attuning the clapper and its mechanisms to the bell.  Lastly, we cleaned up and hauled out, leaving the site a real sight.  Click on…