NPS/Spencer July Update
North Elevation Staging (Bonded Warehouse rear yard): Staging is being erected on the North elevation side to access windows there for repair and slate roof line for minor partial removal and installation of snow fence.
Snow fence repair and replacement in small areas is being constructed off site, with mockups created with iron similar in composition and creation to originals.
Stone step railings (all sides of CH, except rear entries of Bonded Warehouse backyard) have been treated with a rust remover, epoxied where vacancies exist from age and weathering, and first coat of metal paint has been applied on south side and east side railings. Complete aspects of Custom House project: Plaster repairs to all walls are complete and final coats have been applied to most interior rooms. Colors are exact match to original existing colors of Custom House. 
NPS Photo/Spencer May UpdateThe Custom House in undergoing a series of renovations, which started on February 22nd, 2023, and includes the removal and restoration of 19 Windows and sashes, including the cupola windows. These windows and sashes are being restored off site and window vacancies have been boarded up securely with plywood and plexi-glass cut outs. Shutter work has also commenced, and a majority of those are being restored off site as well.Painting preparation (light scraping and sanding) will be another element of this project, as well as plaster repair on walls and ceilings. To protect the valuable resources inside, a series of protective measures have been installed, including wood barriers, hard board for the carpet and flooring and plastic coverings, which encase all fixed furniture and displays throughout the building. The balustrades in the southeast corner and front of Custom House have been (mostly) painted via lift and wrought iron stair railings has been scraped and prepped. Repairs for wrought iron are happening off site and are forthcoming. Due to the consistent cold weather and precipitation this week, lift work and resumption of balustrade painting has paused temporarily, so plaster work (wall crack repair) and priming shutters and doors have recommenced. Fencing is up around the work area. Please use caution when crossing the street and walking and driving near work zones. 
Press Release (12/21/2022)Salem, Mass. - Salem Maritime National Historic Site announces that a contract has been awarded for approximately $1 million to repair and preserve portions of the Custom House and Bonded Warehouse. These significant repairs will be made to these connected buildings to correct years of deterioration of the historic structures and protect these important pieces of American history. The majority of the work will be performed on-site on Derby Street and was funded through the National Park Service’s Repair Rehabilitation Program. The long-awaited project will begin mid-December and is expected to be completed by winter 2023. The project includes extensive repairs to exterior and interior features of the building, including the portico, railings, shutters, cupola, snow and ice rail, roof, chimneys and plaster walls. All wood and metal on the exterior of the building, and interior surfaces, will be painted. Additionally, an ultraviolet protection layer will be applied to window interiors. In preparation for the planned work, all exhibit and museum collection items in the Custom House were removed and placed in secure storage. Public access to the facility will remain closed until the work is completed and the exhibit items are returned to the interior of the building. In 2021, 181 thousand park visitors spent an estimated $11.8 million in local gateway regions while visiting Salem Maritime National Historic Site. These expenditures supported a total of 147 jobs, $7.2 million in labor income, $11.2 million in value added, and $18.0 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Salem Maritime National Historic Site. |
Last updated: July 20, 2023