Renovations and Improvements

by the Present Owners, 1984 - 2005

• Improvements, 1984 - 2005
  • Complete rebuilding of rear, L-shaped porch from foundation up. Reconstruction of original appearance based on physical evidence. Addition of screens and balustrade on entire porch.
  • Major reconstruction of the original detached kitchen, which had previously been converted to a one-car garage. Complete rebuilding of the rear wall including the cooking fireplace. Reconfiguration of windows to the original 1830's appearance.
  • Installation of drainage system under the cellar floor including sump pump. Installation of new brick floor in cellar (which has been dry ever since).
  • Complete new HVAC system. Installation of duct work and propane-based furnace with air conditioning, in two major zones (upstairs and downstairs).
  • Installation of chimney-top dampers, adjustable in each fireplace, on all flues of the main house.
  • Installation of two electric, 50-gallon water heaters.
  • General maintenance conducted throughout this period to both keep the house in good repair and to improve its condition wherever needed.
• Major Rehabilitation Completed in 2005:
  • Significant work throughout the ell of the house
  • Structural work involved the replacement of portions of the sill and additional floor structure in the rear room to make the entire ell structurally sound.
  • Complete removal of all previous changes to the downstairs rooms in the ell and removal of all previous finishes (plaster and lathe) down to the wall studs.
  • New electrical service installed
  • Installation of walls and finishes to include spaces for a kitchen, bedroom/study, full bath and laundry room.
  • Installation of new state-of-the-art kitchen.
  • Installation of new bathroom, including fixtures.
  • Demolition of severely deteriorated south side porch, originally an open structure, enclosed late in the 19th century.
  • Construction of newly designed south side porch, from foundation to roof, based on architectural details from the front and back porches of Helmwood. This porch is enclosed in glass panes, with double doors to the meadow, and is heated and air-conditioned.
  • Kentucky State Historic Tax Credits were awarded for this project.
• Major Rehabilitation Completed in 2008:
  • Significant work to the entire two-story, five-bay front block of the house.
  • Structural work involving the replacement of two thirds of the sill under the front wall (atop the limestone foundation stones) as well as portions of the sill under the walls flanking the front hall.
  • Jacking up the front wall of the house to a level position for the entire structure.
  • Repairing all plaster and woodwork affected by jacking up the house.
  • Repainting and redecorating all rooms in the front two-story block of the house.
  • Stripping and refinishing the front hall's stair rail, spindles and treads.
  • Refinishing the upstairs study's built-in bookcases in faux-grained cherry finish.
  • Installing completely new roof from decking up, including new 30-year singles, and all-copper flashing, half-round gutters and downspouts.
  • Replacing the front porch floor with limestone blocks.
  • Hand-scraping all exterior walls to their bare wood, repairing or replacing any deteriorated materials, priming and painting exterior completely.
  • Removing all later additions to the breezeway to open it up; installation of new frieze, chamfered wood columns and brick floor.
  • Kentucky State Historic Tax Credits were awarded for this project.