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The kitchen ceiling has been removed in order to prepare for the installation of a new structural support beam. Modification to the second floor joists and structural wall supports were determined necessary due to inadequate spacing. To date, the supports were on the north and south walls. An additional beam will soon be inserted that will run east and west.

The newly inserted steel beam will rest on the steel beams that are pictured here. The west beam directly over the kitchen window was added during Phase I. With the use of the east west running beam the weight of the second floor over the kitchen will now be more effectively distributed. Note: the joists are cut to accommodate the addition of the new steel beam insert. All of these modifications will be in place and covered with a new ceiling, rendering the resulting work unnoticeable and undetected by future visitors.

The team stone mason has identified this stone as argillite. Argillite is a very strong material that was most likely quarried near the home.

The removal of the ceiling and plaster wall board reveals a portion of the stone wall that has been undisturbed since the origins of the 1825 portion of the house. During tour seasons, this portion of the wall is found directly behind a Pennsylvania Dutch armoire which resides in the living room near the piano.

The rough framing for the new wall that is being built to divide the room as it once stood is now in place.

The double sided LVL (laminated veneer lumber) beam is shown with north south surfaces for each side of the new room.

Although the wall support appears to be strengthened by the framework below, the support of the wall itself is mostly carried on the east west beam ends.

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