The Preservation Collaborative

We recently had an unexpected discovery in our 1930s cottage. While demolishing the living room ceiling in preparation for vaulting it, we uncovered writing on the walls behind the finishes. Several areas of the wall sheathing consist of painted boards, leading us to believe that the builder repurposed old military crates. Given our proximity to Fort Devens—an active installation during World War I—and the common practice of selling or disposing of military surplus during peacetime, it’s quite possible that the owner or builder acquired this material and creatively upcycled it into the house.

The building’s framing is extremely light, consisting of 2x4 members. While this isn’t unusual for a house of this era, it does require reinforcement to meet modern code. New rafters will be sistered alongside the existing ones, providing the necessary structural capacity and just enough depth for proper insulation. During this work, the carpenter also identified a spongy area in the floor, so the first-floor framing will be repaired concurrently.

These are just a few of the many conditions typically encountered in older homes. Some can be anticipated through experience with historic construction methods; others reveal themselves only once work is underway. When unexpected issues arise, we respond quickly, developing solutions that balance code compliance, the project budget, and the contractor’s expertise.

What a difference one week can make! The building is really coming together quickly. The carpenters are finishing trim and siding on the exterior. Interior partitions are framed up. You can really step into the new living room and bathroom. There's lots of storage space in the three closets off the hallway.

What's next? Tearing open the existing living and dining room to correct water infiltration issues around the existing chimney. Once those are fixed, we can insulate the entire building! Wallboard and finishes are in the near future.