This photo of the fireplace was taken in January of 2024. Craked and missing tiles can be seen across the top of the fireplace, but almost all of the tiles are cracked to some degree.
The upkeep and maintenance of the Day House is one of the Norwood Historical Society’s biggest monetary expenses. We are always exploring grants and donations to maintain this unique historic structure, in addition to using our own funds for routine work and also emergency repairs.
For the past thirty years some have argued that we should sell the Day House. While those voices are not so loud now as in years past, it’s worth addressing this concern. We have been able to maintain the house in approximately the original vision articulated by the Day family. We are able to host exhibits, talks, public gatherings and community events in this space. We are able to store our ever-growing collection of materials relating to the history of Norwood. Most importantly, we have owned this property free and clear since 1935. This means we do not incur expenses to rent storage or exhibit space.
In recent years, we have addressed some long-deferred maintenance on the Day House. and also some long-held visions for the future of the society, such as the 2020-2021 project to add an entrance ramp and ADA compliant public toilets.
The current Board of the Norwood Historical Society is doing its part to preserve this distinctive part of Norwood’s history for future generations. We continue working with the public, community groups, and town departments to showcase this vision of life in Norwood a century ago. At the same time, we are working to expand our stories as we actively work to embrace the history of all town residents.
In 2016 conservators stabilized flaking surfaces through the application of a reversible adhesive.
The current project is the continuation of work begun with a comprehensive survey of the property in 2015. In 2016, the Dutch tiles in the fireplace surround were stabilized by professional conservators. One recurring problem, here and elsewhere in the house, is that the standards of 1890s construction were not always designed for durability. This is true for a house first built in the late 1850s in a different style, and is especially true for the “ancient of days” aesthetic Fred Holland Day articulated for the standing “remodel.”
Restoring the tile fireplace surround is a great example of these problems, from the deteriorating metal surrounding the tiles to the adhesives used to attach the ceramic, and the underlying brick of the chimney. This is also a project deferred for some decades, and the time is ripe to address it.
Many members of the society and of town government have asked why the Norwood Historical Society has not requested CPA funds previously. Our mission dovetails perfectly with one of the four priorities of the Act: “to acquire, preserve, rehabilitate or restore historic resources.” As a non-profit organization independent from the Town of Norwood, we are able to pursue grant funding that is not available to other, worthy projects. We are grateful to the CPA for all the work it has done to further the historic resources of our community.
We have requested funding as part of our ongoing efforts to pursue a wide variety of support for our mission. As partners in preserving the history of Norwood for present and future generations, we are proud to propose this partnership with Norwood’s Community Preservation Committee and hope that Town Meeting agrees this is a worthy contribution to our community.
Detailed photo of alternating Biblical scenes and abstract floral design. Further flaking and cracking are also evident, in October 2023.
Because we are separate from the Town, the CPC has included as a condition for eligibility that we place a lien against the Day House for the amount of the grant. This is standard for private entities applying for funds through the CPA, and is designed to insure that we use the funds for the intended purpose, and that we continue to open the house to the community. After three years, this lien will be discharged. The Board has no intention of selling the Day House nor suspending the activities of the Norwood Historical Society, and in fact, hopes to continue to expand the programs we can offer to the public.
Project Cost:
Projected Total Cost: $35,000
CPA Funds Requested: $29,250
Historical Society Funds: $5,750
The fireplace as it looked in 1999
Projected Timeline:
May 13, 2024: Vote at Norwood Town Meeting
August 2024: Removal of the current tiles by Daedalus conservators and assessment of how many tiles can be reused/displayed separately from new construction.
September 2024: Order of custom replacement tiles from Delft Tiles
January 2025: Assembly of the new panel at Daedalus workshop
March 2025: installation of the panel and tiles at the F Holland Day House
2 thoughts on “Fireplace Restoration Project”