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 need talented people to help. 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 maintaining the house gardens and workshop in the back.
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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. -
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Funding needed for the three large projects below -( currently waiting for the quotes from the contractors to update these numbers)
*Foundation: Most urgent!
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$20,000 is the most recent bid. See photos below of why. We need to 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.
Sunroom Porch:
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Remodel the sunroom porch and the bathroom. $30,000;
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In January, 2022, eight window panes out of 28 dropped out of the sliding barn door of the back porch. Door needs complete replacement.
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Rebuilding sunroom windows -This work is being done by volunteers supervised by our expert fine woodworker and caretaker Mark. The sunroom porch windows are repaired now, but their installation depends on the foundation replacement and rebuilding the wall that holds the windows. so we need to
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Replace the 1898 foundation and jacks
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Eventually-make this area 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 help to spray a preservative on the wood to protect it. We have purchased ladder jacks and some of the preservative needed..
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Repair exterior woodwork and trim, in preparation for painting: $5,000-15,000.
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Paint the outside of the house to protect the exterior from the weather: $25,000-$60,000
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The house has survived major earthquakes since its construction, but time and a wet forecast are not on our side.
These additional jobs need to be done.
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Planning and design done
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Clean-up and encapsulation under the house for moisture control
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Tie in major walls to future foundation
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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.-From the "still standin fund."
Done! Tiles cleaned in the library.
Below- Completed by our new caretakers, Mark and Elizabeth.
Done! 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.
Done! Tower room windows and doors rebuilt and exterior painted and sealed.
Done! Long fence along the driveway was resupported to keep from falling down.
Done! On going-protective film is being put on windows to stop sun damage to original interiors and hold heat inside
Done! Office windows completed.
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