Atsion Mansion
- Thread starter piker56
- Start date
I'm really worried that the contractors that they find to do this work are going to do more harm than good. Restoring a building of this antiquity requires more than "Joe & Bob Roofers."
I can see one of the workers dropping a lit cigarette and the place going up in flames, too.
I can see one of the workers dropping a lit cigarette and the place going up in flames, too.
I have the same concern for Atsion as well as the Batsto restoration projects. I hope they had some type of qualification criteria for the contractors as these renovations are major, as well as specialized. I know the Batsto project includes foundation repairs, pretty major stuff. Hopefully the state didn't just go with the lowest bidder.
Gentlemen:
While any contractor and his employees can make stupid mistakes, I'd like to think that the Atsion and Batsto mansion restorations will be conducted properly. Each bidder will need to prove their ability to perform all work in compliance with Secretary of the Interior standards relative to historic preservation and restoration. Under state and federal law, the expenditure of government funds on any such project automatically requires the use of such standards in all work.
Best regards,
Jerseyman
While any contractor and his employees can make stupid mistakes, I'd like to think that the Atsion and Batsto mansion restorations will be conducted properly. Each bidder will need to prove their ability to perform all work in compliance with Secretary of the Interior standards relative to historic preservation and restoration. Under state and federal law, the expenditure of government funds on any such project automatically requires the use of such standards in all work.
Best regards,
Jerseyman
I'll have to go with Jerseyman on this one. Regarding another thread on the topic, concerns were expressed as well. I expect there will be specific contractors targeted to bid and safety standards adhere no matter what.
I am very interested in the goings on at Atsion Mansion and do believe that electrically, behind the scenes for example it is not as difficult as many would think. As far as facilities for patrons to the site, I would expect a seperate structure so plumbing is not an issue ( I hope ). I imagine roofers especially will have to conform to a standard that not too many out of the phonebook chaps are capable of meeting. Think positive people. If managed correctly, this is a good thing. I am especially excited about Atsion!
G.
I am very interested in the goings on at Atsion Mansion and do believe that electrically, behind the scenes for example it is not as difficult as many would think. As far as facilities for patrons to the site, I would expect a seperate structure so plumbing is not an issue ( I hope ). I imagine roofers especially will have to conform to a standard that not too many out of the phonebook chaps are capable of meeting. Think positive people. If managed correctly, this is a good thing. I am especially excited about Atsion!
G.
I cannot wait until this project is finished and open to the public, i always wanted to see the inside of the place.
Jim
Jim
As an old timer, when I was a kid, the Atsion mansion looked terrible. I was excited when they at least secured it and painted the outside. Now the prospect of it's being brought back to life is wonderful. When I pass places like that and Batso, I love to just dream about the grand times those places must have had in their time.
Len in PA
Len in PA
Folks:
Several years ago, I went over to view the archives of the old Insurance Company of North America, looking at relevant fire insurance building surveys. Among the documents I examined was a survey and policy drafted for one Joseph Wharton concerning the Atsion mansion. I noted that Wharton paid for a perpetual policy, so I turned a photocopy of the documents over to a friend who works for DEP and he turned it over to the Parks folks, giving the state a perpetual insurance policy on a building that heretofore the state had only self-insured. The insurance survey proved to be a most interesting document as it described the house in some detail!
Best regards,
Jerseyman
Several years ago, I went over to view the archives of the old Insurance Company of North America, looking at relevant fire insurance building surveys. Among the documents I examined was a survey and policy drafted for one Joseph Wharton concerning the Atsion mansion. I noted that Wharton paid for a perpetual policy, so I turned a photocopy of the documents over to a friend who works for DEP and he turned it over to the Parks folks, giving the state a perpetual insurance policy on a building that heretofore the state had only self-insured. The insurance survey proved to be a most interesting document as it described the house in some detail!
Best regards,
Jerseyman
Mark:
The responsibililty falls to CIGNA, successor to INA.
I must make one correction to my previous post (should not trust my memory!!). I thought Joseph Wharton took out the policy, but, actually, Colonel W.C. Patterson paid for it in 1869.
Here is the text of the survey:
Survey of a Two Story and Attic stone Mansion, rough cast, Shingle Roof, Pediment pitch, Cornice, plain wood with crown mould, is returned on the level.
Porch extending along front & west side of house. Single pitch Shingle roof, Ceiled with worked boards, eave plate supported by 13 cast iron columns with square base of same material.
Situate on East side of Main Road in the Village of "Atsion" and County of Burlington, N.J. The property of W.C. Patterson, Esq.
First Floor. Divided into 4 rooms and Hall by 9 inch stone partitions, pine floor 1 inch thick. Washboard 11 inches made with mould top. Doors & windows trimmed with 7 inch Architraves mould head with turned corner ornaments.
Front Parlor 2 plank frame windows 12 lights each 12 x 18 Sash 1 5/8 thick double-hung. Moulded panel skirting under and in elbows. 1 passage door (13/4 in thick) 6 double worked panels. 2 Folding doors 1 5/8 in thick 6 double worked panels. 2 Closets in sides of flue 1 door each 1 1/4 in thick 4 single fraced panels each. 1 Pennsylvania Marble Mantel with 2 turned pillars mould base and capitals. Back Parlor as above.
Dining Room 2 Windows as in Parlor. 2 passage doors 6 panels each, ditto 2 closets ditto. 1 Pennsylvania Marble mantel 2 fluted pilasters with plinth. Stairs between dining room & kitchen 3 feet wide going 6 1/2 inch Rise and 10 inch Tread Heart pine. Steps are finished with Nose and Scotia and returned on open STring. Round Mahogany hand rail continued to 2nd Story 3 in diameter turned Newel and 1 inch Square Balusters painted.
Kitchen. 2 Windows as in dining room. 2 passage doors ditto. 1 door with yard 1 3/4 inch thick 6 panels mould outside flush bead and batt inside. Back stairs enclosed by 4 1/2 stud partition Heart pine with 9 inch Treads and 7 1/2 inch Risers bead skirted.
Hall. doors to main and Back Entrances "double" with side light frames, door 1 3/4 inch thick 4 panels each mould outside and flush Bead and miter inside. 8 side lights 9 x 12 with Mould panel skirting under to each frame, Pennsylvania Marble sills, ditto. Plain and mould stucco cornice.
Second Floor. divided into 6 rooms and Passage Ways. Story 11 ft in clear, Heart pine floor 1 inch thick Joist 18 inches from centres. Washboard 10 inches wide with Mould top. Doors and Windows trimmed with 6 inch Architraves.
East Front Chamber. 18 ft. 9 x 16 ft. 8 inches 2 plank frame Windows as in first story. 1 Passage door ditto. 1 Cloest in flue recess 1 door 1 1/4 inch thick 6 single faced panels. 1 Pennsylvania Marble mantel plain plaster front. Middle Front Chamber 11 ft. 5 x 15 ft. 8 inches. 1 Passage door as in East Chamber 1 Window ditto. West Front Chamber 12 ft. x 16 ft. 9 inches 2 Windows as in Middle Chamber 1 Mould ditto in 3 ft. space between partitions. West Back Chamber 11 ft. 5 x 15 ft. 5 inches 1 Window as in West Front. Middle Back Chamber ditto. East Back Chamber 16 ft. 7 x 18 ft. 9 inches finish as front.
Attic divided into 4 rooms and passage way. Story 6 ft 9 inches in centre pitching to 3 ft 3 1/2 inches at Eaves. Washboard 6 in. wide bead finish Doors and Windows trimmed with 1 1/2 inch moulding. Joist 20 inch from centres. 3 Circular head windows 3 lights each front 3, back ditto. Cast Iron Show sills to all Windows anchored in Walls. Open frame Shed adjoining on east, shingle roof, 3 x 6 inch Rafters 3 x 9 in. Eave plate supported by 6 x 6 in. posts.
Asher S. McCully
Survey 1684
December 29th, 1869
W.C. Patterson, Esq.
And here is the accompanying diagram for the survey:
Best regards,
Jerseyman
Kitchen? The kitchen is in the basement -- at least that's where the cooking fireplace is.
Edit: Do you have the drawings for the 2nd and 3rd floors?
Edit: Do you have the drawings for the 2nd and 3rd floors?
Yeah, kitchens in those days were not as we know them today. When I first got in the kitchen business 30 years ago colonial kitchens were all the the rage. I used to ask customers if just a fireplace and table would do. lol
Steve
Jerseyman,
That rather detailed document seems like it would serve as good a template for restorations as most drawn documents. Very interesting and thanks for sharing.
I have noticed by the way that a good deal of info on the bid proceedings can be found online. I just hope it keeps moving in a positive direction.
g.
That rather detailed document seems like it would serve as good a template for restorations as most drawn documents. Very interesting and thanks for sharing.
I have noticed by the way that a good deal of info on the bid proceedings can be found online. I just hope it keeps moving in a positive direction.
g.
My pleasure, LARGO! I agree with your assessment and, as I indicated, the state does possess a copy of the entire document. Whether they can find it in their files is entirely different issue!
Best regards,
Jerseyman
Ben:
The floorplan I provided is the only floorplan in the survey. Based on the first floor plan, the reader can interpolate the remainder of the house based on the description.
Best regards,
Jerseyman
Atsion
This will be a wonderful addition to the history of the pines. The Atsion mansion was spooky looking when I was a kid in the 60's because it was boarded up and looked abandoned. A little off-topic, is Atsion Lake still drained in the winter? I could never understand the reasoning for this, not to mention the negative impact it has on the fishery there.
This will be a wonderful addition to the history of the pines. The Atsion mansion was spooky looking when I was a kid in the 60's because it was boarded up and looked abandoned. A little off-topic, is Atsion Lake still drained in the winter? I could never understand the reasoning for this, not to mention the negative impact it has on the fishery there.
Hi My great grandfather was a caretaker for Wharton Estate. My great grandmother used to melt lard to make soap in the basement on the Kitchen farplace. My great grandmother name was Anna Crain . She would foot coming down the steps , and when she looked nobody was there. Anna was only one in the Atsion Mansion.
