What To Know About Restoring Historic Properties in Kentucky
From the Mary Todd Lincoln House in Lexington to the Historic Locust Grove in Louisville, Kentucky, there’s a picturesque collection of historic properties throughout our state. While our award-winning team at Anderson & Rodgers Construction enjoys visiting these places as guests, more and more Kentuckians are seeking to restore historic buildings.
While these projects aren’t necessarily the simplest tasks, they’re certainly rewarding for our communities. So, here’s what you need to know about historical restoration.
1. Preserve What Makes a Building Historic
For most historic properties, applying a coat of paint simply isn’t enough to restore them to their former glory. Many properties require extensive renovations to ensure they’re structurally sound, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the blueprints. By preserving what you can of a historical property, you can recreate the space as it was, while meeting modern safety standards.
However, when seeking to restore a historical property, it’s necessary to contact your State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) or the Local Municipal Historic Board/Commission, such as the Kentucky Heritage Council (KHC), Heritage Ohio, or the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.
Here are some quick good-to-knows when it comes to a historic property renovation:
- Do not remove or change character-defining elements.
- Do preserve distinctive craftsmanship, original construction techniques where possible, materials, and finishes.
- Do document materials and features of the historical period before altering or removing them.
2. Repair Original Features Before Replacing
Certain original pieces of a property will be lost to time. But if you’re able to restore rather than replace, it will give that notable historic touch, bringing the past into the future for appreciation.
Additionally, repairing instead of replacing, when possible, preserves the property’s authenticity and structural integrity. This step may often include navigating ways to clean wood features, masonry, plaster walls, and metals.
You can approach this step with these tips:
- Do match the original design, color, texture, and materials when possible; if you must replace, do so with similar materials.
- Do use the gentlest treatment methods available for the material you’re restoring.
- Do ensure that any alterations you make are reversible to avoid permanent mistakes.
3. Maintain the Property’s Historical Integrity
If you walked into a historical building and the tour guides or the wall plaque stated that what you were looking at was nowhere near the original, the experience wouldn’t feel authentic. Sticking as closely as possible to the original building’s design, layout, and features is the best way to uphold this requirement.
You can also ensure historical integrity with the following:
- Do support replacement of missing features with clear documentary or physical evidence.
- Do research the property thoroughly to avoid creating a false sense of history.
- Do not construct designs that were never done historically in the property.
4. Trust a Construction Company With Historic Reno Experience
Participating in a historic building restoration project requires a level of care and attention to detail that should be entrusted to local builders with extensive experience in the field. Our team at Anderson & Rodgers Construction has helped restore several historic properties, making us an excellent choice for Kentuckians seeking a residential and commercial construction company they can trust.
From museums to old homes, we’re here to breathe new life into your property while preserving its historical integrity and complying with local building regulations.
A few examples of our historic renovation portfolio include:
- Pine Mountain Shelter, a 100-year-old log and stone structure.
- John G. King Building, a historic building façade constructed in the 1870s, located in downtown Lexington.
- The Sweet Boutique, a renovation of a historic building dating back to 1906, repurposed as a café and bakery in Cynthiana, KY.
Our talented team has also worked on multiple residential historic remodels in our community, including builds on S. Ashland Avenue and N. Hanover Avenue in Lexington, KY.
Find the Best Team for Historic Restoration Near Lexington, KY
Renovating a historic building is how Kentucky’s history can still be enjoyed or studied today. If you’re looking for a local construction company that you can trust for your restoration project, our expert team at Anderson & Rodgers Construction is ready to connect with you.
Contact us to schedule your free consultation and discuss your restoration vision.
Anderson & Rodgers Construction proudly serves the greater Lexington and Central Kentucky areas, including Versailles, Georgetown, Richmond, and Winchester, as well as Cincinnati, OH.
