The Great Column Adventure! Part 2.
The front porch, yesterday. Note the GORGEOUS 1894 columns to the left, but plain ol’ 6×6 posts to the right.
The front porch, today. Note that the 6×6 post have departed (in place since 1999), and have been replaced by 4×4 posts on jacks. Hi Scott!
A pair of reconstructed 1894 columns, patiently waiting in the vestibule, to be — obviously — invited inside for tea.
Original 1894 columns, partially reconstructed, being returned to the front porch after many decades. NOTE: the porch ceiling has not been painted yet.
And now — drum roll, please — may I present all four center columns being returned to the front porch after many decades absence (scroll way down):
Wow! Zounds! I tear up! I gasp! I stand back in abject wonder!
This sight, more than any regarding the restoration of the Cross House, is the one I have most anticipated, and been the most excited about. The center columns are back! The center columns are back! The center columns are back!
I…am…agog. The dark parts of the columns are the 1894 originals. The lights parts are new. The capitals on the left two columns are original; the capitals on the right pair are new, and made of resin (cast from moulds).
Again, the Before.
The WAY before: 1895. Slowly but surely all this is being resurrected.
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Yay Ross!!! They really look great, almost perfect even! 😉
Thank you!!!!!!!!!
Wow Ross they look amazing! I love this blog and follow your progress regularly and these columns make a world of difference. I am so giddy right along with you!! Keep up the great super duper fantastic work.
Absolutely beautiful! You are definitely a “blessing” to this historic house. I am so happy that you purchased it and are lovingly putting all this work into it. Kudos to you!!
Hurry up and get them painted!! I want to see the finished product.
It is Dr. Doug!!!!!!
Well, give me a few days. All will be well & lovely…and painted!!!!!
This is a basic question, but do you have to use a special product/process to seal and paint the columns that are a combo of resin, redwood and other wood?
They look great! Mrs. Cross would approve.
I will be using a high-quality primer, then the same paint used elsewhere on the house.
Only time will tell how well the disparate pieces hold up. But I am crossing my fingers!
Thank you Lynn and Marta!
Ross – I have followed your progress on the Cross house since your began posting. I am a “local” and have really enjoyed seeing the love taken to restore this grand old home. I love local buildings and their history and Ross I have learned a great deal about both from you. This is my first comment to your blog as I was waiting for the “right” time. The columns and the stairs are my favorite projects so far. I drive by the house every day and am always looking to see what is “new”. Ross, thank you so much for saving this grand old home and for sharing your thoughts with all of us. I look forward to many more posts and to someday seeing the Cross House restored in full!!! – Matt
Thank you Matt for the kind words! And I hope you comment often!
Where’s the rocking chair? A porch is not a porch without a rocking chair.
Wee suggestion for your porch ceiling. There’s a whisper, possibly a wive’s tale, that painting your porch ceiling blue keeps wasps etc from building nests. The theory is that they think it’s sky. Which assumes that insects see in colour….now there’s a a big assumption but…LOL The usual colour is called Haint Blue. I took it a step further and did mine a bright Caribbean blue. The house is blue so I figured I could get away w/it! LOL
I too believe that most front porch ceilings were painted sky blue, or robins egg blue to be proper. Can’t say where I learned that though.
It’s called haint blue. It’s a southern thing and I also heard it was to do with insects. Loving this blog!
Thank you, Laura!