The Weathervane Flies Again! Steeple Repair Completed
August 23, 2019
for the Hingham Journal
After three years with an undignified cap on its steeple, the Old Ship Meeting House in Hingham Square can proudly wave its weathervane once again.
On a cloudy day in March, 2016, Old Ship parishioners were stunned to notice that the iconic gilded weathervane originally installed in 1755 was tilted at more than a precarious 30 degree angle. An emergency inspection by crane revealed that the wooden steeple that supports the weathervane was completely rotted inside. The weathervane was removed and a weathertight cap with a lightning rod sheathed the steeple until work could finally begin.
Old Ship Meeting House, built in 1681, is a National Historic Landmark. As such, any repair work must be designed to meet strict standards of historic preservation as monitored by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. The task proved to be a challenge. “The access to the steeple to undertake the steeple repairs was complicated,” said Architectural Conservator and co-project manager Andrea Gilmore. Concerned with the weight of the scaffolding on the roof, “Significant additional shoring was required for the interior of the building, and the exterior scaffolding had to be designed so that it was high enough to bridge over the main roof of the Meeting House.” The weathervane soars to a height of 90 feet. “The reinstallation of the weathervane had to be designed to preserve the steeple’s historic building fabric and reinstall the weathervane so it can withstand hurricane force winds and other severe storms.”
The team of David Webb, Preservation Craftsman, and David Odeh and Bruce Vallone of Odeh Structural Engineers discovered that the rotted wood came from repairs that had been made to the top half of the steeple in the 1970s. In their new design, steel plates are anchored to the preserved wooden framing inside the steeple shaft, with a steel socket to hold the metal shaft of the weathervane. The specially curved wood shingles were replaced, and a new hollow, gilded copper ball replaces the rotten wooden one at the top of the steeple. Scaffolding and carpentry work was handled by M. J. Mawn Construction, Inc. of East Walpole over the summer of 2019, and on August 1 the weathervane was finally hoisted by crane into place. After another two weeks, the scaffolding came down inside and out, to reveal the majestic Old Ship Meeting House as it is meant to be seen.
Tom Willson, Old Ship parishioner and Project Manager, is relieved that the project is finally completed. “This was an unexpected major undertaking that strung out longer than we anticipated. It was challenging, but rewarding to have it all come together. We hope we’ve made it so the steeple will last another century!”
The total cost of about $165,000 was funded by major grants from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the Greenbush Fund administered by the Hingham Historical Commission, and Hingham’s Community Preservation Act Fund, thanks to the grant-writing and finance team of Old Shippers Ron Pollara, Mike Dwyer, Rick Mattila, Nina Wellford and Tom Willson, along with individual contributions of all sizes from Old Ship parishioners and the community-wide Friends of the Old Ship Meeting House. Conservator Andrea Gilmore, who has worked on every major restoration effort at Old Ship in the recent past, says it well: “All of the contractors that I have worked with on Old Ship Meeting House have considered it a privilege and wonderful challenge to work on such a significant historic building.” Old Ship Meeting House is fortunate to have such dedicated stewards ensuring that it remains a dynamic historic gathering place for generations to come.
for the Hingham Journal
After three years with an undignified cap on its steeple, the Old Ship Meeting House in Hingham Square can proudly wave its weathervane once again.
On a cloudy day in March, 2016, Old Ship parishioners were stunned to notice that the iconic gilded weathervane originally installed in 1755 was tilted at more than a precarious 30 degree angle. An emergency inspection by crane revealed that the wooden steeple that supports the weathervane was completely rotted inside. The weathervane was removed and a weathertight cap with a lightning rod sheathed the steeple until work could finally begin.
Old Ship Meeting House, built in 1681, is a National Historic Landmark. As such, any repair work must be designed to meet strict standards of historic preservation as monitored by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. The task proved to be a challenge. “The access to the steeple to undertake the steeple repairs was complicated,” said Architectural Conservator and co-project manager Andrea Gilmore. Concerned with the weight of the scaffolding on the roof, “Significant additional shoring was required for the interior of the building, and the exterior scaffolding had to be designed so that it was high enough to bridge over the main roof of the Meeting House.” The weathervane soars to a height of 90 feet. “The reinstallation of the weathervane had to be designed to preserve the steeple’s historic building fabric and reinstall the weathervane so it can withstand hurricane force winds and other severe storms.”
The team of David Webb, Preservation Craftsman, and David Odeh and Bruce Vallone of Odeh Structural Engineers discovered that the rotted wood came from repairs that had been made to the top half of the steeple in the 1970s. In their new design, steel plates are anchored to the preserved wooden framing inside the steeple shaft, with a steel socket to hold the metal shaft of the weathervane. The specially curved wood shingles were replaced, and a new hollow, gilded copper ball replaces the rotten wooden one at the top of the steeple. Scaffolding and carpentry work was handled by M. J. Mawn Construction, Inc. of East Walpole over the summer of 2019, and on August 1 the weathervane was finally hoisted by crane into place. After another two weeks, the scaffolding came down inside and out, to reveal the majestic Old Ship Meeting House as it is meant to be seen.
Tom Willson, Old Ship parishioner and Project Manager, is relieved that the project is finally completed. “This was an unexpected major undertaking that strung out longer than we anticipated. It was challenging, but rewarding to have it all come together. We hope we’ve made it so the steeple will last another century!”
The total cost of about $165,000 was funded by major grants from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the Greenbush Fund administered by the Hingham Historical Commission, and Hingham’s Community Preservation Act Fund, thanks to the grant-writing and finance team of Old Shippers Ron Pollara, Mike Dwyer, Rick Mattila, Nina Wellford and Tom Willson, along with individual contributions of all sizes from Old Ship parishioners and the community-wide Friends of the Old Ship Meeting House. Conservator Andrea Gilmore, who has worked on every major restoration effort at Old Ship in the recent past, says it well: “All of the contractors that I have worked with on Old Ship Meeting House have considered it a privilege and wonderful challenge to work on such a significant historic building.” Old Ship Meeting House is fortunate to have such dedicated stewards ensuring that it remains a dynamic historic gathering place for generations to come.
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Meeting House Steeple to be restored
In March, 2016, we noticed that the gilded weathervane, originally placed on the steeple in the 1730s, was tilting noticeably. A steeplejack removed the vane with a tall crane, and inspection of the steeple showed that it was completely rotted inside. It will need to be restored in order to support the weathervane and the Meeting House lightning protection system. A temporary cap and lightning rod were installed, and plans made to rebuild.
The estimated cost: $134,000
All work must be overseen by historic preservationists and be approved by the Massachusetts Historical Commission & Hingham Historic Districts Commission. Hingham’s 2017 Town Meeting approved granting Community Preservation Act funds toward this project.We also received grants from the Greenbush Trust in 2017 and the 2018 Massachusetts Historic Commission Preservation Projects Fund. The Friends of Old Ship Meeting House are contributing the remaining funds, with help from our friends in the community.
Work will be completed in Spring, 2019.
The estimated cost: $134,000
All work must be overseen by historic preservationists and be approved by the Massachusetts Historical Commission & Hingham Historic Districts Commission. Hingham’s 2017 Town Meeting approved granting Community Preservation Act funds toward this project.We also received grants from the Greenbush Trust in 2017 and the 2018 Massachusetts Historic Commission Preservation Projects Fund. The Friends of Old Ship Meeting House are contributing the remaining funds, with help from our friends in the community.
Work will be completed in Spring, 2019.
MEETING HOUSE RESTORATION: 2007 - 2013
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We are thrilled and grateful to report that the Save America's Treasures campaign to restore the Meeting House was a huge success! Both the members of Old Ship Church and the community-based Friends of Old Ship combined to raise over $600,000, which was matched by $350,000 from the National Parks Service, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Massachusetts Preservation Fund. Phase One of the restoration work was completed in 2009; Phase Two (including shoring up the timbers, replacing electrical systems, expanding fire protection and security systems, replastering and painting the interior) was accomplished in 2011; Phase Three (restoring the windows, foundation work and painting the exterior) was completed in 2012. In 2013, we finished the project by adding a modern, composting "privy" off the north side entrance hall, the first real rest room ever to be located inside the Meeting House.
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restoration highlights
The Meeting House was last restored extensively in 1930. In 2005, the citizens of Hingham at their annual Town Meeting approved funding from the Community Preservation Historic Resources Fund to finance a Historic Structure Report of the Old Ship Meeting House to determine its current condition and to develop a plan for preserving the building into the future. This extensive review was completed in 2007.
The first projects completed in 2009 were replacing and restoring the roof and updating the lightning protection system.
The first projects completed in 2009 were replacing and restoring the roof and updating the lightning protection system.
The timber frame of the meeting house dates to 1681, 1730 and 1755, and is likely the most important surviving 17th century timber frame in America. Structural deficiencies of the historic timber frame were addressed by reinforcing key timbers with steel beams in the attic.
Much of the work done during the summer of 2010 addressed safety issues: we removed asbestos, rewired and replaced the electrical system, expanded the sprinkler system, and upgraded the fire detection and alarm system. Plus, master craftsmen repaired interior trim and replastered and painted the interior walls.
The Meeting House revealed many unexpected secrets! The restoration has provided exciting proof of the transformations that have occurred over the last 300 years.
When we removed the plaques for painting, we found a large square of wallpaper from the 1869 Victorian-style renovation, perfectly preserved behind one plaque. Another plaque hid a hole that showed the two layers of lathe and horsehair insulation added in 1731 and 1755 on top of the original 1681 clapboard. Both of these finds are now safeguarded by TruVue plexiglass, for all to see.
A paint chip in the east entry way showed us the original gray blue color from 1755; we matched it to repaint the east and south entry halls.
When we removed the plaques for painting, we found a large square of wallpaper from the 1869 Victorian-style renovation, perfectly preserved behind one plaque. Another plaque hid a hole that showed the two layers of lathe and horsehair insulation added in 1731 and 1755 on top of the original 1681 clapboard. Both of these finds are now safeguarded by TruVue plexiglass, for all to see.
A paint chip in the east entry way showed us the original gray blue color from 1755; we matched it to repaint the east and south entry halls.
During the investigation for the Historic Structure Report in 2007, the original 1681 double door entrance was discovered under the 1755 Georgian windows. Perhaps the only 17th century door that survives in its original exterior wall, there is strong interest in protecting this architectural element and making it possible for historians, scholars and citizens to view and study the doors from the exterior of the building. A protective enclosure is planned.
The beautiful arched 1755 Georgian double windows in the west wall needed immediate conservation, which included paint removal from the exterior casings and sashes, dutchmen repairs, and replacement of deteriorated wooden elements, glass replacement, and installation of protective glazing.
The 38 diamond-paned wooden windows required replacement of deteriorated wooden elements, caulking and painting of exterior and interior sashes, replacement and repair of locks, weights, sashes, etc.
Other exterior envelope repairs included: repointing the stone foundation, repairing the sill and brick entrance, replacing the deteriorated wooden door on the north side of the east entry, repairing the exterior clapboards, and exterior painting.
Thanks to the generous financial support of our community, this unique American architectural treasure will continue to be used as a place of public assembly and worship for future generations, as it has for more than three centuries.
We continue to seek contributions for the long-term preservation of this National Historic Landmark. Help us Save the Past for the Future! Click here to donate..
We continue to seek contributions for the long-term preservation of this National Historic Landmark. Help us Save the Past for the Future! Click here to donate..