Kiskadden Barn

The interior northwest corner continues to receive repointing applications, and is 90 percent complete. Loose or missing stones have been replaced with local in-kind material, set and pointed with 3:1 mortar mixed with local screened sand and natural hydraulic lime. Final specifications for an internal seismic steel support system have been submitted by Ken Seivert and will be sent out to bid.

Prasch Blacksmith Shop

Ken Seivert, Pete Brown, Herb Dawson, Jeff Cleverley and Jeff MacDonald conducted a site visit and assessment, and reviewed initial specifications and drawings prepared by Ken for the forthcoming timber frame installation. All present agreed to the initial specifications, which also included discussion over necessary archaeological assessment of all areas requiring post footings. These excavations shall be two-foot by two-foot square and four feet deep. Final drawings will be prepared and submitted for approval.

Gilbert Brewery

Restoration of window systems continues throughout the brewery building. Several windows along the south and west façades have been removed for treatment to sash and re-glazing. They will be re-installed in their respective locations.

Continued examination of the Barrel Room built-up header and doorjamb has resulted in the removal of three of the four severely decayed wood members, which will require a complete in-kind replacement. Effort will be made however to consolidate and preserve as much as possible the fourth, southern-most header timber, which faces the brewery kiln and displays various paint treatments. The entire header system is comprised of four courses of 6”x8” members. All had experienced a sustained exposure to high levels of humidity, which has contributed to an advanced level of decay, as well as insect and pest damage. A plastic enclosure has been erected immediately surrounding the Barrel Room header and jamb assembly for temperature control.

Analog temperature and humidity gauges installed in the barrel room and audience area are monitored daily and have yielded a daily average of 20 degrees and 80+ percent humidity.

The Malting Tower screen assembly was supported with temporary jacks to allow for cleaning of the malt drying rack. Further assessment shall be made of several large cracks spanning the height of the east wall.

Consultation over the use of pressure treated material and masonry lath was discussed with SHPO Pete Brown, and shall be addressed in a formal letter of consultation to be filed with MHC and SHPO.

Crack monitors installed at various locations throughout the Malting Tower registered movement along both horizontal and vertical axis. As much as three millimeters of lateral movement was recorded on the tower’s interior southeast corner, and one or more millimeters recorded on nearby monitors. The discovery of movement prompted a meeting between SHPO, NPS, and Ken Seivert as well as MHC staff to assess the structural stability of the tower, and discuss short and long-term stabilization options. All agreed that further study should include an assessment of the area hydrology, and continued monitoring of the malting tower crack gauges. Initial planning, favoring the installation of a support system for the south façade, and/or a banding system for the tower will continue following recommendations presented by Ken Seivert.

Miscellaneous

o Crack monitors have been installed on all masonry structures in Virginia City. Observation of movement on several structures, including Content’s Corner façade, has resulted in consistent monitoring by Preservation Staff.

o A formal release was prepared for the 2005 curriculum of the Virginia City Institute for Preservation Research and Technology. The document and application will be forwarded to interested parties, including NPS, and collegiate programs.

o Weekly inspections continue for all Heritage Commission properties.

Meetings

1.18.04

Annual MHC – SHPO meeting took place in Helena, with Jim Carpita, Jeff MacDonald, Cecile Gevock, Pete Brown, Mark Baumler, Stan Wilmoth, and Ken Seivert in attendance. Herb Dawson was also present via conference call.

See meeting minutes for agenda items.

1.31.04

Jim Carpita, Jeff MacDonald, Jeff Cleverley, Pete Brown, Herb Dawson, and Ken Seivert met in Virginia City to discuss present and future preservation projects. Of particular importance was the deteriorating condition of the Gilbert Brewery Malting Tower. Ken Seivert shall present recommendations for temporary and permanent stabilization options.

Other site visits included the Gilbert House and Brewery Bottling Building, as well as continued discussion over completing masonry stabilization at the Kiskadden barn, and timber-frame planning for Prasch Blacksmith shop.