If you have visited the museum recently you had probably noticed how soft the floor
was in the entrance. Due to moisture damage, the girder that supported the floor joists was completely rotted away. The museum was
able to obtain the necessary materials from Lowe's in Franklin at a reduced cost and B. R. Tallent, Clint McManus & Darrell
Koch donated their time to
make the necessary repairs. The work was done based on the plans of Lyman Bryant, architect and
member of the Society, who also donated his expertise. First, B. R. dug two 3 x 3' footers and filled them with concrete reinforced with rebar. B. R. and Clint
then supported the current floor with 2 x 4's while hanging the new floor joists. The original joists (which were true 2 x12's)
remained and were notched to fit the new girder. The new girder was installed and then they jacked up the floor in order to
install the new posts.
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(Click on the pictures below to see the scope of the work.)
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| Moisture Damage |
One of two new 3'x3' footers | Old Beams were true 2 x 12's |
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| Hanging First Joists |
New Girder | Bridging Blocks |
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| Front Footers and Beams - Complete |
Old Meets New | New & Old Footers |
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| | This work is the first step of an extensive renovation project that is
necessary to repair the foundation alone. When the Pendergrass building was built over 100 years ago, it was accepted
building practice to lay the joists on the brick foundation. These joists have rotted over the years, and while some support
has been added around the outside edges from time to time using cap blocks and 4 x 4 posts, it really needs to be done correctly.
We hope that with continued support from The Town of Franklin, who has pledged $5,000 to the museum for repairs this year, and
the time and talents of volunteers and work done at reduced pricing we will be able to keep the museum in shape for the
next 100 years.
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