A look inside answers a question
When we looked at 153 Concord Street in November of 2023, I commented on the dissimilar appearance of the Concord Street block and the ell facing Lawn Avenue. They looked as if they were two wholly separate buildings. I wasn’t far off.
A while after the post was published, I received an email from the owner complimenting and confirming much of what I had found. He also invited me to see the inside of the house before he finished with his renovations.
Patched roof and rafters in the Concord Street section. The charred wood in the patch area is odd.
The Concord Street section is an interesting hybrid of structural styles that highlight the changes taking place in the trade. It is primarily timber framed, which was the prevailing method of framing since the earliest settlers built permanent homes. Some of the wall framing is ‘balloon‘ framed. This was the newer style that was coming into vogue. It utilized smaller, sawn, framing members that ran the entire height of the wall. It was easier to assemble and a more efficient use of materials as well. The owner and I both expressed the feeling that the Concord Street section seems older, early 1860’s, than the mid 1880’s as the deed history shows.
Looking into the ell from the front section.
The rear ell, facing Lawn Avenue, is a different story. It is framed in a simple, stick, manner with sawn members throughout. Looking at the point where the 2 sections are joined, it can been seen that the real framing is laid on top of the roof sheathing of the main block. Much of the rear structure was under-framed with, in some places, smaller pieces that were ‘scabbed’ together to give the desired length. In some cases, on the occasional wall stud, this is ok. In others, on roofing rafters, it is just not advisable. In the ell, we find both uses. The owner has records that indicate that the ell was built by volunteers from the Wesleyan Church. The seemingly amateur nature of the construction would seem to back this up. The Clarke’s were supporters of the educational part of the religion.
The small addition and bay on the eastern side is another, even later, addition that has it’s own issues. Also under-framed, even worse in fact, It utilized repurposed framing as noted by the alternating pattern of black and white seem on the image below. The span over the opening into the bay is carried by a timber that is to small and has sagged from the weight being carried. All of this will be restructured. 
I do hope the old shakes on the original roof of the real well but now under the shed roof will be retained. They are wonderful items.
My thanks to the owner for contacting me and being willing to let me see the ‘bones’. You have done a great job of retaining the old fabric and feel while creating a home for the 21st century. My hat is off to you.
Portland House Stories 