Supporting the Cohen Bray House matters.
PLEASE DONATE!
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.
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. Lastly, we have the projects we were able to complete during the pandemic when we were closed. You can see we mean business and will use your funds wisely.
Everyday wish list- inexpensive temporary items you can purchase and the fixes we are doing ourselves.
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Leveling the 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
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Rebuilding and weatherproofing windows against leaks; a minimum of 85 need some repair, replacement of glass and repainting. This work has been started by our expert fine woodworker and caretaker Mark. He has built a steam box and a rack to work on two windows at once! See photos here.
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Repairing the front porch by replacing rotten decking & extending the handrail on the front stairs, and repaint: $500- $3,000.
Funding needed for large projects - these are estimated costs. None of these have been started yet.
Back Porch:
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Remodel the smoking-room porch and the bathroom. $30,000;
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In January, 2022, six window panes out of 28 dropped out of the sliding "barn" door of the back porch. Door needs complete replacement.
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Replace the 1898 foundation and jacks: $34,950;
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Make the main floor of the house/ restroom wheelchair accessible by adding a lift to the back porch: $10,000
Painting:
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Repair exterior woodwork and trim, in preparation for painting: $5,000-15,000. We found usable small woodwork replacement pieces under the house!
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Paint the outside of the house to protect the exterior from the weather: $25,000-$60,000
Foundation:
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Replace 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 in the past 138 years, but time is not on our side. We need to retrofit.
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Planning and design-free, preparation: $25,000
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Leveling and temporary supports: $80,000-100,000
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Tie in major walls to future foundation: $60,000-90,000
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Replace the existing brick foundation: $200,000-300,000.total
Projects we have completed July- Dec. 2021-22 with your membership and donations ( see before and after photos of process):
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 stove. The shelves on the back still need to be sandblasted and soldered to look as it used to look.
Done! Cleaned and painted the kitchen. Thank you, Lynne Rutter- President of the Artistic License Guild who provided the paint for the kitchen, the front bedroom and Emelita's bathroom.
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.
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