The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Historical society completes restoration project
TORRINGTON — The Torrington Historical Society has completed the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum Kitchen Porch Restoration Project, thanks to a historic preservation matching grant from Preservation Connecticut and 1772 Foundation, according to a statement.
The matching grant program is a collaborative project that provides historic preservation technical assistance.
The Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum, built in 1900, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Kitchen Porch Restoration Project was handled by general contractor William Pietrefase. Total cost was $26,579.
Funding included $10,000 from the 1772 Foundation grant and Preservation Connecticut, and $16,579 from the Torrington Historical Society.
According to the society, “The deteriorated condition of the porch created a public hazard and detracted from the appearance of this historic property. The project was done according to historic preservation guidelines.
“The society was able to save much of the original porch framework as well as the upper portion of both support columns.
Items that were replaced included new footings, new decking, new column bases, new balustrade and new stairs. The most challenging part of the project was to re-attach the slate roof rafters to the back wall of the house.”
“The society is very grateful to Preservation Connecticut and 1772 Foundation for assisting in the restoration of this important historic structure,” members said.
The Torrington Historical Society is located at 192 Main St. For information on its events, programs and how to join or make a donation, go to torringtonhistoricalsociety.org.