New woodwork and paint will help keep the facade of 30 MIddle Street look fresh for years to come.
With several historic properties dating as far back as 1758, the Portsmouth Historical Society has been hard at work this year maintaining their properties for the next hundred years. The most noticeable of these projects has been the restoration of the Morton-Benedict House, located at 30 Middle Street. Over the course of the year, rotten woodwork was replaced; brickwork was cleaned, removing decades of build-up from passing cars on Middle Street; and a new coat of paint was applied to both new and old woodwork to preserve intricate detailing.
“Walking up to the Morton Benedict House is a completely different experience thanks to the restoration work,” said Emma Stratton, Portsmouth Historical Society Executive Director. “Not only does the building look refreshed, but this work will ensure the long-term preservation of the building, sealing it from rain damage and maintaining the integrity of the brickwork.”
This facade restoration project has been made possible through a grant from The 1772 Foundation in cooperation with the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance.
Adjacent to the Morton-Benedict House lies a 1975 expansion that now houses the Seacoast African American Cultural Center. Thanks to a Moose Plate Grant, the curtain wall was extensively repaired to address ongoing leaks. Additional masonry repairs on the building continue this fall.
“We appreciate all the grants and organizations who value the preservation of Portsmouth’s history and material culture and who have helped us preserve our buildings to welcome more visitors to our city,” said Development Manager, Kim Simmons.
Further improvements were made this summer to the main entrance of the Historical Society building. Masonry repairs were done to the entry stairwell brickwork by a local masonry company, PNH Construction, who generously donated their time and materials.
All of these projects are complemented by the ongoing work by the City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works reconfiguring of a new accessibility ramp. This project, expected to be completed over the next several months, will update the accessibility ramp to meet current ADA standards and allow guests of all abilities to enjoy the Portsmouth Historical Society.