February 2004 Work Report

Preservation Team, Virginia City, Montana

Funded by the National Park Service

The Preservation Team consists of Jeff Cleverley, Jack Frost, and Don Steeley.

Contents Corner

The window preservation is completed. The new glazing has been allowed to cure, and the windows have been repainted. They will be re-installed after the jambs have been

extended and painted. The door preservation has been started. The exterior doors were removed, and the openings secured with plywood. The doors were brought to the preservation shop for cleaning, inspection, and photo-documentation. Since the doors are of different styles, and were installed at different times, the amount, and procedure for preservation will be different for each individual door. Photos and written preservation procedures will be put in the building file.

The gluelam beam was installed and attached to the hewn transfer beam using thru

bolts and lag screws. The new member rests on the stone walls, as does the original. Wooden support columns were placed under each end of the beams as well.

The walls of the Reception Room (#207) and Rm. (#208) were extended up to original ceiling height. The rest of the framing, and the backing for the wallboard have been installed. We’re ready for the Electrical Upgrade.

The walkthrough for the electrical upgrade was on Feb. 17. We expect to have the bids in by Mar.2.

The southeast and southwest corners of the parapet wall above the ceiling in Rm.208 needed fixed. They were void of mortar because water had washed it away over the years. This was due to a leaking roof that has since been replaced. The corners were repaired with the same mix as used elsewhere on Contents Corner. The rest of the parapet will require attention as well, because the roof structure sits on it.

Gilbert Brewery

After consultation with SHPO, an exploratory hole was dug by the Team inside the Hop/Barley Tower. This was to done to determine how far the stone walls extend below floor level (see attached photo) We discovered two wooden members under the stone that appear to be running the length of the east wall. The exploratory hole was dug to facilitate stabilization procedures.

Temporary stabilization was installed in the doorway to the cask room. The wooden header in the stone wall is deteriorated.

The columns for the huge beam that supports the ceiling above the oak casks were also stabilized and reinforced.

The roof was inspected from the inside to locate the leaks. They appear to be coming from the flat area above the Bar. A new roof is needed this year.

Other work

Jack continued trying to keep up with snow removal. Two leaks were discovered and fixed. The snow tore the brace on the façade of Kiskadden off, and it punctured the rubber membrane on the City Bakery, and the gutter box at the Jewelry Store damned up and was leaking down the inside of the front wall. This will be fixed with the new roof to be put on. Don and Jack took care of these problems right away.

Work on reinstalling the floor of the Jewelry Store has been started by Jack and Don.

Jeff has been trying to keep up on the reports, and other paperwork necessary.

Meetings

The staff attended a Defensive Driving Course Feb. 4th. Brett Dahl presented this, from TORT. It was very informative and everyone had a good time.