Supporting the Cohen Bray House matters. 

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Our house has not had the money to make repairs in the past. Thank you to those of you who have donated, we have been able to accomplish much more than we thought. Unfortunately, time and decay have a head start and we are encountering its effects every day. See the sixteen photos at the bottom that  show you first-hand what the problems are. Unlike the other historic landmarks that are owned by public agencies or come with a large trust fund, we are supported by our membership and gifts from thoughtful people like you! We are eligible for grants and have received grants in the past. We are looking for grant writers, craftsman and project managers to join our board or just offer to help in the process. All contributions/donations help. Together we can save this house. We have no paid staff. Your donation goes directly into the house.

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Here is  a list of small projects we can do ourselves and the  funding needed for each of those. Next, we list the large projects; we hope you can help us by adopting a project with a donation of any amount. 

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    Everyday wish list- inexpensive temporary items you can purchase and the fixes we are doing ourselves.

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• Supporting the foundation floors which will help prevent water damage through the windows and doors.   
  This work requires  25 stationary jacks  which cost $100 each.

• On going-protective film is being put on windows to stop damage to original interiors

•  Rebuilding and weatherproofing windows  against leaks; a minimum of 85 windows need some repair, replacing the sash ropes ,so we can open them, some need the replacement of glass and repainting. This work has been started by our expert fine woodworker and caretaker Mark. He has built a rack to work on two windows at once. The sunroom porch windows are being repaired now, installation now depends if we can get the wall rebuilt in the sunroom.   

•  Windows from the tower room are having the sash cords replaced and exterior paint work and repairs.

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Funding needed for the three large projects below -( these were estimated costs done several years ago. None of these have been started yet.)

 

Back Porch:

• Remodel the sunroom porch and the bathroom. $30,000;

•  In January, 2022, eight window panes out of 28 dropped out of the sliding barn door of the back porch. Door needs complete replacement.

• Replace the 1898 foundation and jacks 

• Make the main floor of the house/ restroom wheelchair accessible by adding a lift to the back porch: $10,000

Painting main house:

We need scaffolding to do this work. Until we find the funds to paint the whole thing we need to spray a preservative on the wood to protect it. We have purchased ladder jacks.

• Repair exterior woodwork and trim, in preparation for painting: $5,000-15,000.

• Paint the outside of the house to protect the exterior from the weather: $25,000-$60,000

Foundation:

•  Replace portions of the  original 1882 brick foundation under the main rooms in the house. Kirk Peterson who has designed  our kitchen porch and advised us on all projects is drawing the foundation plans. We are working with a structural engineer.
   

   The house has survived major earthquakes since its construction, but time is not on our side. These jobs need to be done.

•    Planning and design done

•    Clean-up and encapsulation under the house for moisture control         

•    Tie in major walls to future foundation

•    Replace portions of subsided  existing brick foundation 

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Link to photos of projects below that we completed in 2021-23 with your membership and donations 

Done!  Repaired the plaster on the kitchen ceiling ( Grant from Victorian Alliance and Turner Construction.)

Done!  Removed  the vinyl asbestos flooring 

Done!  Uncovered the original 1883 built in brick range. The rusty shelves on the back still need to be sandblasted and soldered to reestablish its original appearance.

Done! Cleaned and painted the kitchen, the front bedroom and Emelita's bathroom. Thank you, Lynne Rutter- President of the Artistic License Guild who provided the paint.

Done! The  flooring has been replaced in the butler's pantry, food pantry, and back hallway. The original linoleum pattern was replicated on vinyl by Spicher and Co. to follow the guidelines established for historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Thanks to Hank Dunlop for making this happen.

Done! New linoleum is installed in the kitchen and Emelita's bathroom.

Done! Caretaker's room painted, shutters cleaned and sanded.

Done! Plumbing repairs made.

Done! Electrical in shop and house updated.

Done! Tiles cleaned in the library.

 Below- Completed by our new caretaker, Mark

Done! Temporary repair of the top of the steps on the front porch by replacing rotten decking.

Done! The transom  above the door in the kitchen now opens and provides ventilation.

Done! Locking mechanism in four doors repaired 

Done! Extending the handrail on the front and back porch stairs ​​

Done! The parlor windows were reglazed and the sashes replaced.

Done! The laundry room window was reglazed and painted.

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