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In the News
Shawmut Restores Abiel Smith School at the African Meeting House
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Meticulous touch-ups brighten National Historic Landmark Boston, MA—November 10, 2008—Shawmut Design and Construction (www.shawmut.com), a leading national construction management firm, recently enhanced the Abiel Smith School with a refreshing round of small – but significant – restorations, in collaboration with architect John G. Waite Associates, Architects PLLC. Built in 1835, the National Historic Landmark at 46 Joy Street was the first African American school in the country, and a cornerstone in the abolitionist movement. As a trusted partner to the Museum of African American History, and a proven expert in restoring priceless historic landmarks, Shawmut completed the work on a five-week, fast-track schedule while the building was still occupied as a National Park Service museum. Abiel Smith School was founded as the country’s first African American public school after businessman Abiel Smith donated $4,000 to the City of Boston for that purpose. The school opened in 1806, operating out of a residence until the school’s operations were moved to its present location in 1835, adjacent to the African Meeting House. By 1855, the school closed as a result of anti-segregation legislature. After its close, the building housed school furniture and later became the headquarters for black Civil War Veterans. Shawmut renovated the landmark with a new slate roof, refreshing copper flashings and gutters, and repointed the building’s fractured and deteriorated front lintels. Project scope also included millwork and main entrance restoration. Under the guidance of Shawmut’s Director of Historic Preservation, Carl Jay, the project team revisited the original quarry in Portland, Connecticut, in order to perfectly match the original stone. The team also rebuilt a rear entrance, restored windows, completed plaster repairs and applied fresh coats of paint. "This small restoration project gave us an opportunity to do much needed specific work to this important historic landmark,” said Jay. “By collaborating with the client and architect, we were able to give the African Meeting House the most bang for their buck." Challenges included the discovery of previously undiscovered deterioration upon opening up the historic walls, and additional leaking at the windows. Located on a densely-packed, narrow street in Boston’s upscale Beacon Hill neighborhood, the project team worked to mitigate noise and dust for nearby residents. As the museum remained fully operational for visiting school and tour groups, safety was a primary consideration. Shrouding was applied to scaffolding as dust control, and vacuums were applied to saws. Operating without a laydown area onsite, the team enacted incredible scheduling coordination in order to monitor all live material deliveries. Superintendents held daily meetings with surrounding residents and developed a 24-hour hotline for comments and questions. Other historic buildings that Shawmut has worked on include the African Meeting House on Beacon Hill, Harvard’s Memorial Hall, Sever Hall, University Hall; Trinity Church in the City of Boston; Church of the Advent; King’s Chapel Parsonage; the First Church of Christ, Scientist Publishing Building and Touro Synagogue. About Shawmut Design and Construction About the the Museum of African American History |
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