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PENNYPACKER MILLS

CLIENT
Montgomery County Parks and Heritage Services

LOCATION
Schwenksville, Pennsylvania

STRUCTURE
The circa 1787 timber barn is part of the historic, 170 acre Pennypacker Mills Estate. The Colonial Revival mansion, constructed in 1720 was enlarged in 1901, and houses the antiques collection of former Pennsylvania Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker.

CHALLENGE
The barn exhibited numerous structural issues requiring immediate repair.  Earlier alterations to the original structural system were contributing to the instability and deformation of the barn’s structural fabric. Any stabilization design had to minimally impact the overall appearance of the interior of the historic structure.

SCOPE OF SERVICE
  • Design a stabilization method with minimal visual impact.
  • Inventory and assess each section of timber framing for repair or replacement.
  • Provide repair schedules and construction documents for a phased project.
SOLUTION
  • Phase I of the project consisted of stabilizing the structure by improving the footings and triangulating the trusses and beams.
  • Phase II involved the installation of a new shingle roof, decking replacement, and a new tin roof over the front bay of the barn. 
  • Phase III finished the project by repairing all of the wood siding and windows, and by repainting the barn in its entirety.
HISTORIC STATUS
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.