The last renovation of the Roff Home occured in 1941. Although the home is now undergoing a long-term renovation, no renovation work is currently being performed that will interfere with your visit to the home.
The goal of the renovation is to take this gem and restore its original luster. The picture to the right was published in a history of the area in 1895 and is the guide for exterior restoration work.
In the first five years of our ownership of the Roff Home, we first performed work that stabilized the home and stopped further deterioration. We then developed a master plan for the restoration of the home. We are now slowly executing that master plan.
Here's a samplling of what's been accomplished so far:
On the exterior:
Removal of all prior roofing and replacement with roofing that is similar in style and color to the original
Paint removal from exterior brick to expose original, unpainted brick
Repointing of exterior brick with mortar that matches the original mortar, in both consistency and color
Analysis of paint, plaster and decorative details to determine original Victorian color scheme and interior design
Restoration and repainting of exterior windows and doors
Replacement of all broken window panes with leaden glass similiar to original
Installation of green insulation in the attic, for an insulation factor of R-60
Replacement of all electrical wiring
Repair of existing plumbing
We are archiving evidence of original paint colors, wallpaper and interior design so we can document our historic preservation efforts and guide future design efforts:
Wood shingles that were still present from the original roofing
Paint chips from interior woodwork showing evidence of whitewash, graining, and other original color schemes
Wallpaper samples from the front parlor, the ceiling of the father's bedroom, and the room that Lurancy Vennum stayed in
Removal of plaster in the mother's bedroom to determine the character of a border of hand-painted flowers that runs along the top of the walls of the room.
We have also compiled a significant collection of photographs of the home dating back to 1876, which help piece together the decorative and design history of the home.
Learn more about renovation efforts on the Roff Home blog.
