ModVic - Modern Victorian Home Restoration

Week 21 of the Restoration (11/19/2007 – 11/23/2007)

Nov 26

Written by: Bruce Rosenbaum
11/26/2007 

We were ‘beaming’ this week.
 
Most of our efforts this week were spent on demolition of ceilings and walls to prepare for installation of the structural beams and posts. Eric and John moved a super heavy LVL beam into place on the third floor and jacked it up into the ridge for a tight fit. The real tough part was posting down through the circular staircase and circular closets into the foundation of the basement. It takes expert skill and creative problem solving to make it happen properly with minimum aesthetic impact.
 
Fernando and Isaias got the first steel beam and posts into place and secured in the kitchen. The second steel beam is going in next week – however – we found out after taking out all of the kitchen ceiling that a third steel beam is now needed because of the span between the first steel beam and the end of the kitchen and support wall. The third beam was ordered and all kitchen beams should all be in by next week. Also the basement beams and corrective sistering was finished under the kitchen and the total kitchen floor is now rock solid!
 
We started to remove the chimney chase on the right side of the house so we can install venting for the gas fireplace insert. However, we won’t be able to have a gas fireplace insert on the first floor because we could not find a way to vent either through the side of the house (too close to a window and the electrical wires) or out the top of the house (too far a run for the vent piping). We’ll have 2 gas fireplace inserts (dining room and master suite sitting room) and an electrical fireplace insert (library).
 
The big news on the exterior was laying the new driveway – what a difference!Eric will be laying cobblestone on both the entranceways for the old world look. Also – we leveled off the front granite step so we’ll have an easier time installing the beautiful newel posts in the next few weeks.
 
Renato got most of the reproduction brackets up on the carriage house portion of the home.He copied the brackets on the front and side of the house, but he needed to reduce the size to fit in the smaller soffit area on the carriage house.
 
One small, but high impact touch was putting in a new black drip edge that comes off the front rubber roof.The white, bent aluminum strip that we replaced really took away from the finished look of the home. We also moved the drain pipe forward so we can put in a down spout where it won’t interfere with a window or the stairs.
 
The weather wasn’t great for painting – but we’re able to get the front columns painted and some decorative detail done on the Grand Pavillion. Our goal is to totally wrap up all painting by the end of next week. I also took some “Fall” pictures of the beautiful pond in the backyard to highlight the special place where 390 Mount Hope Street stands.
 
The excitement is building – there’s a steady stream of people gawking at the home now – it won’t be too long until Spring arrives and our home will be completed for all to see.

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Neighbor Comments

2/27/08
I read about the Houdini thing at the jail in North Attleboro. I was born and raised there in North Attleboro and I remember my grandfather telling me about a magician that had a floating lady in one of the store fronts in downtown for a week. I not sure if that was Houdini, for some reason I think it was Blackwell. Not sure if he was around the same time or not. Just thought I would give you that info in case it helps you out. By the way, what a beautiful job you have done with the Freeman house. If I win the lottery, I would buy it in a second. Keep up the good work there and will come to open house in April.
John Amaral

1/27/08
Hi Bruce and Melanie,
My Great Grandparents were Annie and Herman Theile who lived at 390 Mt. Hope Street (Mt. Hope Manor) in the early 1900’s.  I would love to talk with you and your wife about the house and the history I know from my Great Aunt Mrs. Bell and my mother who was born there.  As a young girl I used to polish the mahogany banister on the circular staircase to the third floor.  I have a lot of fond memories regarding that house, and I would love to reminisce and share what I know about its history.  Sincerely, Donna Jurdak, N Attleboro MA

8/27/07
Just wanted to tell you we are watching your progress with great enthusiasm and excitement!  We are only one house away and my ten year old son is fascinated with your progress and checks on your work several times a day.  We can't wait to come in and see your progress. Thank you for bring this house back to life, I have been waiting for its rebirth patiently for years. Julia Wheatley (juliawh@comcast.net)

7/24/07
Hi Bruce :My cousin Dorothy Forbes just called me to tell me about the Victorian Home in North Attleboro . My great great grandparents owned and lived there many many years ago. Dorothy was thrilled to of had the opportunity to go thru the home. My name is Albert Berard ,my age is 83 and I don't remember too much about the house other than what was told to me by my parents and grandparents on the Berard side.I once had a photo of some relative by the name of LaPlant that was recently discarded because I have no other living sister or brother that could explain to me who the person was . In past years I've seen the house many times and remember the servant quarters and also a carriage house that I believe is no longer there. the years have taken a toll on my memory.I still have an old brownish grey photo of the home .It's been many years since the relatives lived there. I seem to remember something about a Priest by the name of LaPlant living there after his retirement. I'll have to talk to Dorothy about that when I see her in a couple weeks. Albert J. Berard.

7/23/07
I drove by the house on Mt. Hope Street earlier this evening. I read about your project in the Sun Chronicle, Sunday. I am an artist and one of the pieces I did a few years back was a pen and ink drawing of North Attleboro center around 1900. I was going to drop off one of the prints, if you'd like it. I can appreciate your undertaking. A friend of mine and I gutted his Queen Anne Vic close to eight years ago and remodeled it. Neither of us had ever done something that involved before. We have since parted ways. I work for a landscape company now and do some remodeling/ fix up jobs in the winter, if the opportunity comes along. I'd like to see the work you are doing, just curious and if you need a hand (weekends, rain days, evenings) let me know. Learning and gaining experience are always of interest to me. If you'd like the print, free, let me know. Best wishes to your success.
Sincerely, Peter Clarke.
  
 

For further information, or to schedule a personal visit of a property with Bruce and Melanie Rosenbaum please call 781-784-0250 or email bruce@modvic.com. Thanks for visiting!
  
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