J.K. Scanlan Company, Inc. recently completed the $1.988 million contract for the restoration and rehabilitation of the 3,000 s/f Reverend Josiah Dennis Manse Museum. The Manse Museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places is the saltbox house that was built by the townspeople for minister Josiah Dennis, for whom the town was named, in 1736. Construction is complete, however landscaping work remains and will be completed this spring.
The project was completed in two phases. The first phase of work consisted of structural repairs of heavy timber framing and the brick chimney stack. The second phase focused on raising the Manse for construction of the new basement which had previously been constructed of fieldstone and had sunk two feet below street level. The east and west external walls were bowed out due to failure of the structural posts forcing them to support all of the buildings weight. Other repairs to the Manse included replacing the Alaskan cedar shingles with historically correct red cedar roof shingles and white cedar sidewall, window replacement, all interior doors were removed sanded and repainted, and a handicapped compliant entrance with ramp and new restrooms were added. In addition a new septic system was installed as well as improvements to the mechanical, electrical and fire suppression systems.
During the renovation the period clothing was sent for repairs and all historical artifacts were removed and placed into storage.
The project was designed by Newport Collaborative Architects, Inc. and coordinated in conjunction with the Mass. Historical Commission which has authority over all historical renovation of publicly owned building.
In addition to historic renovations and restoration work, J.K. Scanlan Co. has divisions in healthcare, general construction and JKS Wind a division that designs and constructs wind turbines.