Have you been by lately? Have you seen the world’s most not-historic front door? Don’t worry – this is a case of necessary form over function, and it just a placeholder – a bandaid, if you will – for better things to come.
The last few weeks have been full of bandaids. First there was rough tuck pointing on the interior of the bell tower.
This was needed not only to keep critters out, but to seal up the wind that seems to always whistle off the south field. It’s not all that pretty, but it’s effective and once finished, no one will ever know (except you and me, and I know you won’t tell).
I wish I had pictures but I’m sure Kevin is glad I don’t: he needed a few bandaids as well, having been attacked by wasps one day, and getting a window dropped on his head another.
We have spent many many months, years now really, trying to figure out how to keep the original front doors, while working out our vision for opening up the bell tower.
We finally decided the best thing to do was to recreate it in the same style it was originally built.
So the first step was taking out the old. Here is one giant reason why it seems it might have been a good idea.
This is a view from the bottom – completely rotted out. So out with the old, in with the temporary. The plan is to replace with another set of red doors, maybe with glass to see out, and a transom above, just like they built it 100 years ago.
Seems we also may need to make some adjustments in the new glassed in bell tower. While we saw a benefit – free solar heat – this might be more than we bargained for.
Next time, let’s open up the inside of that bell tower. Last chance to find the secret treasure hidden in the walls (or millions of dead ladybugs, maybe that).