It has been eight long weeks since the last post (sorry about that – I’ve been extremely busy putting together two exhibits: Two Centuries of Music at Economy and A Style of Their Own: Clothing and Textiles of the Harmony Society – two must-sees!) An update about the Rapp Houses restoration is LONG overdue.
The construction portion of the project has been completed (for the most part) as of June 6th, except for a little project that we added. We are adding another part of the back porch to the garden side of the George Rapp House to create some handicap accessibility. But otherwise, the plastering, woodwork, painting, electrical work, and floor refinishing are complete! We’re very excited about this. Progress!
And this week the wallpaper started to go up. Things will definitely start to look different in the houses once the wallpaper is installed. More glimpses to come!
Jim and Frank Yates of Historical Wallpapering Specialties in Tennessee apply historic reproduction wallpaper to the walls of Frederick Rapp’s bedroom. The original wallpaper is on a bandbox in the collection.
But for now, take a peek at these pictures:
The passageway in George Rapp’s house between the Steward’s wing and the main block of the house was originally closed up and has now been re-closed. This now makes the Rapp House feel more like two houses.
With the closing of the passageway, the secret hiding place for the Harmony Society’s gold feels a little more secretive. This area now looks more like a closet. Visitors will still be able to see the hidden vault.
The porch addition is currently in progress to aid in handicap accessibility to the Steward’s wing and the Frederick Rapp House. There is evidence that a porch was originally in this location, along with the extant porches.
Some floors have been refinished. Until recently all of the floors were stained dark brown, as was popular in the late 19th century. However, earlier in the century, floors were not usually finished. The floors seen here are not replacement floors, but the same flooring that has been sanded.
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