News Release

National Park Service Announces Roof Repair and Water-shedding Enhancement Plans for Longfellow House

James P. Jones | Photography RI

News Release Date: October 26, 2023

Contact: Chris Beagan, 617-876-4491 x12

CAMBRIDGE, MA – The National Park Service announces plans to replace the roofing and enhance the water-shedding systems on both the Longfellow house and Longfellow carriage house. Roofing replacement and water-shedding enhancement are supported by discretionary appropriations from the Operation of the National Park System account. Work is scheduled to begin in fall 2023. 

“It’s difficult to overstate the care that goes into stewarding a building that’s older than the United States of America,” said Longfellow House Site Manager Chris Beagan. “This ambitious program of repair and improvements will ensure that the Longfellow House—and the incredible museum collection that it holds—are protected by a solid roof for decades to come.”  

Longfellow house roofing work involves complete, in-kind replacement of the 9,000 square foot soldered metal and slate roofs, as well as selective masonry repairs to the chimneys and installation of chimney caps. The existing metal and slate roofs were last replaced in 1977 using new and salvaged materials. The metal portion of the roof was subsequently treated with a rubberized topcoat to prolong its life. The new roofing will present a more authentic appearance and better protect the building. 

Longfellow carriage house roofing work involves complete replacement of the 2,400 square foot cedar shingle roof with new, premium cedar shingles, including a new underlayment to prolong the life of the replacement roofing. The building’s cuploa will also be repaired and the building repainted in conjunction with roofing replacement. The existing cedar shingle roofing is approximately twenty-five years old. 

Improvements to the buildings’ water-shedding systems involve installation of new flashing, ice and water shield, and properly sized gutters and downspouts. This work will mitigate the potential for damage during increasingly severe weather, including heavy rains, high winds, and deep-freezing temperatures. 

Active work areas will be clearly marked during construction. Visitors are advised to follow posted signs and avoid work areas for safety. For the most up-to-date information and construction alerts, please visit www.nps.gov/long/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.