Building Solutions
Diamond Bar
News and Insights on the Preservation of Commercial and Institutional Building Structures in the Greater Boston Area




Vol.2 No.3

May 2010

Greetings!


In this issue of Building Solutions, we continue to feature Case Study articles on our historic and period restoration projects, this time describing a major restoration project at the historic African Meeting House in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood.  We also include a Building Basics article on Brick Pavers. 

We trust that you will benefit from the information provided in this publication. If you have any comments or questions, we can be reached at 617-445-0274 or at www.abbotbuilding.com.

Sincerely,
 
Michael Norman
Vice President
Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.
617-445-0274

Abbot Restores Boston's Historic
African Meeting House


African Meeting HouseThe African Meeting House is a National Historic Landmark located in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood that was once the heart of Boston's 19th Century African-American community.
 
Major Exterior Restoration

The building underwent a major exterior restoration in the mid-2000s, and is currently undergoing an interior restoration with plans to reopen as a community meeting center in the near future.
 
As an integral part of the exterior restoration, Abbot was contracted to perform masonry repairs including repointing of joints, infilling of brick voids, and replacement of spalled brick on three sides of the building. 

Matching Original Brick Maintained Historical Integrity

Significantly, under the direction of the National Park Service, Abbot was able to salvage matching brick from a building demolition in the Beacon Hill area to maintain the historical integrity of the structure.  Abbot also formulated special mortar compounds to match the color and composition as required by the National Park Service to meet historical guidelines. 

To further weatherproof the building exterior, Abbot replaced all of the existing copper gutters and downspouts with new lead-coated copper.

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About the African Meeting House

Built in 1806, the African Meeting House is the oldest known existing black church in the United States, and was a place of discussion for many of the nation's most prominent abolitionists, such as Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and Charles Sumner. 

The building was part of Boston's Underground Railroad Stations that sheltered many fugitive black slaves prior to the Civil War. Owned and operated by the Museum of AfroAmerican History, the African Meeting House is now a part of the National Park Service.  The facade of the building is an adaptation of a townhouse design by Boston architect Asher Benjamin. 
 


Brick Pavers:
An Alternative to Concrete and Asphalt


PaversBrick pavers are commonly used as an alternative to plain concrete or asphalt in a variety of exterior hardscaping applications, including walkways, patios and driveways.

Available in a variety of shapes, brick pavers resist to fading from the sun and deterioration from long-term exposure to the elements and do not require a seal coat to prevent staining. Their closed pores create an almost non-permeable surface.

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The above photo illustrate how Abbot's installation of a brick paver patio enhanced the courtyard area at 265 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston.

About Abbot Building Restoration

Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc., has been providing quality construction and restoration services for more than 50 years.  We have built our reputation on a wealth of experience, a strong work ethic, a high level of technical expertise, and longstanding relationships with a variety of clients in the public, institutional, and commercial sectors. 

We specialize in restoring and preserving the integrity of the building envelope of aging and problem structures in the greater Boston area.  We also provide remedial weatherproofing services to correct construction deficiencies in newer structures.  Our specific areas of expertise include:


o   Masonry construction and repairs
o   Weatherproofing services
o   Caulking
o   Pointing
o   Waterproofing
o   Special coatings and sealants
o   Roof repair, replacement, or resurfacing


Significantly, Abbot is a family-owned business representing four generations since its inception in 1936.  The current leadership team takes great pride in the company's strict attention to detail and family-oriented management approach.

Call Abbot today at 617-445-0274 to arrange for a FREE INSPECTIONAL SURVEY, or visit our web site at www.abbotbuilding.com.


abbot logo

Abbot Building Restoration Company, Inc.
28 Allerton Street, Boston, MA 02119
Tel: 617-445-0274  � Fax: 617-445-0277


IN THIS ISSUE

Case Study
Abbot recently completed a major restoration of the historic African Meeting House, the oldest existing black church in the United States.

See full article below.

Building Basics
Brick pavers are commonly used as an alternative to plain concrete or asphalt in a variety of exterior hardscaping applications,

See full article below.
Visit Our Web Site
To learn about more "Building Solutions", visit our web site at :

www.abbotbuilding.com