Early concepts of historic preservation : the restoration of Carpenters' Halll, 1857-1876

298 Pages·1992·4.2 MB·English

by  Isaksen, Mark

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EARLY CONCEPTS OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION:
THE RESTORATION OF CARPENTERS' HALL 1857-1876
Mark Isaksen
A THESIS
in
The Graduate Program in Historic Preservation
Presented to the FacuUies ofthe University of Pennsylvania in
Partial Fulfillment ofthe Requirements for the Degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
1992
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Ruth M. O'Brien, Lecturer, Historic Preservation, Advisor
oger W. Moss, Adjun/t Associate Professor, Historic I^reservation, Reader
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^id G. De4=dng, Professor'of(^rchit^ure
Graduate Group Chair
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lEENNSYu-MNlA
LIBRARttS
1
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations ii
Preface iii
Introduction 1
I. Carpenters' Hall in Context
A. The Carpenters' Company and Their Hall 6
B. Architectural Criticism and PubUc Opinion 9
C. The Revolutionary Period in Popular Literature and Art 12
D. Mt. Vernon and Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh 15
E. Benson Lossing and Revolutionary History 19
II. The Fitting Up ofCarpenters' Hall in 1857
A. Motives and Intent for Re-Occupying the old Hall 23
B. Alterations to the First Floor 29
C. Alterations to the Second Floor 31
D. Completion of Work; Comparison to Other Restorations 33
III. Improvements to Carpenters' Hall: 1859-1877
A. Collections Management and Public Outreach 36
B. Interior Decoration 49
C. Mechanical Systems 55
D. ExteriorChanges 58
E. Adjoining Properties 63
IV. Conclusion 68
V. Appendices
A. Selected Excerpts From Minute Book of
Committee on Fitting Up the Old Hall. 1857 72
B. Selected Excerpts From Minute Book of
Managing Committee Tulv 29. 1857-Tanuarv 7. 1891 83
120
C. Illustrations
VI. Bibliography ^35

List of Illustrations
1. Original Planned Elevation and Floorplan for Carpenters' Hall,
ca1770 121
2. Benson J. Lossing, interior and exterior view ofCarpenters' Hall,
Sketch, 1848 122
3. J. H. Rae's,Philadelphia Pictorial Directory. 1851 123
4. M. A. Root, exterior view ofCarpenters' Hall, Photograph,
ca. 1855 124
5. F. D. Richards, exteriorview ofCarpenters' Hall, Photograph,
1859 125
6. Interior view ofCarpenters' Hall, Photograph, ca 1866-1869 126
7. Bartlett & Smith, exterior view of Carpenters' Hall, Photograph,
ca. 1867-1871 127
8. RobertNewell, exterior view of Carpenters' Hall, Photograph,
ca. 1867-1871 128
9. Robert Newell, interior view of Carpenters' Hall, Photograph,
ca. 1870-1871 129
10. Robert Newell, exterior view ofCarpenters' Hall, Photograph,
ca. 1867-1869 130
11. Robert Newell, exterior view of northeast comer of
Carpenters' Hall, Photograph,1873 131
12. James Massey, Carpenters' Court, Figure Ground Drawings,
1774-1801 132
13. James Massey, Carpenters' Court. Figure Ground Drawings,
1812-1875 133
14. James Massey, Carpenters' Court, Elevation Drawing,
West Side, Carpenters' Court, Proposed Restoration, 1957 134
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