HOMESTEAD RESTORATION PROJECTS

There is no doubt that Pequotsepos Manor, the 1717 house museum. is the pride and joy of the Denison Homestead. We are proud of the restoration projects to date which include:

In 2007, a new roof was installed on the north side of the Homestead.
In 2011, the Vogel Cottage was restored thanks to the generosity of the John Denison Miller family.
In 2011, the exterior siding of the manor house was powerwashed and a preservative was applied to the shingles. Windows were reglazed and exterior door and window trim were painted.
In 2013, the stone foundation of the manor house was repointed and drains were installed around the exterior of the manor house to prevent water from seeping int the cellar.
In 2014, a grant was received from the 1772 Foundation to repair the center chimney of the manor house so open hearth cooking demonstrations can be offered.
In 2014, the original horse-hair plaster walls & ceiling of the front stairway from the first floor to the third floor were restored.
In 2020, with a design from a structural engineer, steel beams were installed in the summer beams supporting the second floor of the West Bedroom. This project was a key element to preserving the entire west side of the manor house. It not only provided support on the second floor, it reduced the bounce when walking across the West Bedroom.
In 2021, the restoration of the original horse-hair plaster ceilings and walls in both West Parlor and West Bedroom have been completed.
In 2022, we painted the wood paneling and moulding in both the West Parlor and West Bedroom. Mid-1800s historically documented hand blocked replica wallpaper was installed in the West Parlor. In the second floor West Bedroom, replica 1880s floral wallpaper was installed. New curtains were purchased and hung in both rooms.
In 2023, we have repaired the original horse-hair plaster ceiling and two walls in the small north-west corner bedroom. We also restored the plaster walls in the East Bedroom and gave them a new coat of white paint. The wood paneling and moulding in the room were repainted with a coat of Prussian blue paint which would have been a period-appropriate color

Below Left Image: New wallpaper in the West Parlor. This replica wallpaper is historically documented from the mid-1800s. The pattern was found on a mid-1800s bandbox created by Hannah Davis from Jaffrey, NH. She was well-known for her quality produced bandboxes. The pineapple wallpaper is reproduced today using the same methods as in the mid-1800s - it is hand blocked. Click on the following link to see and learn more about hand blocked wallpaper. Adelphi Paper Hangings

Below Right Image: New wallpaper in the West Bedroom. This paper represents wallpaper used in the 1880s. It is digitally reproduced from an archived piece of wallpaper. The actually wallpaper has dark green foliage and the background is a light green.

OTHER RESTORATION PROJECTS

BARN RESTORATION: Several Denison Board of Trustees are working currently working with the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office to restore our historic late 1700s barn. We have a plan in place to preserve the barn, true to its centuries-old design. The restoration of our historic barn will provide the Homestead with additional space for exhibits, meetings, and the kind of educational programming that will keep the story of the Denisons alive for future generations. Restoration should begin in the Spring of 2023.

Below Left Image: A side and rear view of our historic barn c. 1890 - 1910.

Below Right Image: A side and rear view of our historic barn today.

The Oliver Denison House

Renovation of the Oliver Denison House. In 2019, with the generous support of several Denison Trustees and Denison members, the Homestead purchased the Oliver Denison House located across the road from the meadow below Pequotsepos Manor. Although some renovation work has been done, there are still other areas that need attention: the property needs handicap accessibility, the picket fence needs to be repaired & repainted, kitchen cabinets need to be purchased and installed in the back part of the house.

The Denison Board of Trustees is seeking donations that will help with any of these restoration projects.

Please make checks payable to the Denison Society, Inc., P.O. Box 42, Mystic, CT 06355