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Via The Friends of St. Nicholas Park

Original Roof Uncovered

The restoration of the Grange includes removing parts of the roof that were added to the home after its completion in 1802. During the process of stripping the roof back to expose its finishes and flashings, the historic architects found evidence of the original 1802 balustrade, or decorative detailing, that did not match existing
photographic images of the home taken in 1860.

Also uncovered during the removal of the sheet metal cladding of the two faux chimneys on the home were the original roof shingles, 10″ long hand-made pine
shingles (see photo below). Both of these ‘discoveries’ will assist
the National Park Service as the agency works with great care and
precision to restore Hamilton’s “Sweet Project” to its former
splendor.

Exhibit Design Firm To Seek Community Input

Following the restoration of the Grange, exhibits about the historical significance and cultural meanings of the Grange and Alexander Hamilton will be installed in
parts of the home’s basement and first floor. To begin this process,
the National Park Service (NPS) will hire an exhibit planning and
design firm through an existing architectural/engineering contract.
The firm that is selected will be required to consult with scholars,
historical architects, NPS exhibit specialists and members of the
Harlem community, to gain an understanding of the diverse themes and
stories associated with the Grange. As an initial step, in a public
meeting members of the community will be asked to provide the
designers their perspectives and opinions. Information will soon be
released on how you can participate.

Convent Avenue Sidewalk To Be Replaced & Reopened

The NPS is aware of the safety concerns and inconvenience due to the continued closure to pedestrian traffic of the west side sidewalk on Convent Avenue in
front of the former Grange site. The NPS’ contractor, which under
their contract controls the property, has submitted permit requests to
the appropriate City of New York authorities seeking approval to
replace the sidewalk. Once the contractor receives the required
permits, they will begin work on the sidewalk within two days and
should have it completed within another three days. We apologize for
the inconvenience and thank the community for their continued
patience.

Visit:

www.nps.gov/hagr

http://blog.stnicholaspark.org