Authentic Florida shellstone makes its way into Georgia

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The Sea – an endless reservoir of inspiration, captivating the senses of man.

SeaStone^® products are manufactured, cementitious stones containing a mixture of natural fossil shells and aggregates. These beautiful stones are engineered for residential, commercial, interior, exterior, horizontal, vertical, wet and dry installations. The full line of matching edging and trim (including bullnose, demi, bevel, coping, stair treads and risers, cove base, backsplashes, wall caps, etc.) provides limitless design capabilities. Typical installation locations include hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, businesses, condominiums, homes, and estates. Areas of installation are unlimited, including lobbies, walkways, balconies, pools, decks, fountains, bathrooms, patios, and overall floor and wall applications.

SeaStone products are offered in the following ways:

1. two standard thicknesses, (1” and 1.5”);
2. three standard styles ( Exposed Shell, Reef, and GlasStone );
3. three color bases (white, buff, and gray – custom colors, and other natural aggregates are available for large projects).

Exposed Shell and GlasStone reveal the beauty of shells and glass through a high quality, machine finished surface, while the Reef exhibits a finish consistent with a mined Keystone or Coral Reef. The SeaStone products are uniquely processed to provide a natural variation from piece to piece that replicates the appearance of a natural stone.

SeaStone is a eco-friendly product using recycled glass, natural shells, and aggregates that help protect the environment by reducing the need for mining natural stones.

SeaStone products are manufactured metrically. Standard thickness is 1” (25 mm) for mortar applications, and 1”5” (38 mm) for mortar and/or sand bed applications. Additionally, we offer an 8” x 8” x 2” (51 mm) thick paver for vehicular use and/or other sand bed applications. The enhanced manufacturing process applies tons of pressure to each unit, fusing the aggregates and stones together. This unique process ensures a more durable product with higher compression strength and low water absorption qualities.

SeaStone products have the following features through design and engineering:

• For Interior/Exterior, Wet/Dry, and Floor/Wall Applications
• Freeze/Thaw stable (ASTM C1026, C373, C39, C482, C485)
• Slip Resistant, dry or wet, COF is >0.65 (ASTM D-1028-84)
• Stain, mold, mildew, and wear resistant (with proper sealing)
• Cost effective due to versatility of use
• Approved for standard installation techniques (Mapei and Laticrete)
• Eco-friendly, Emerald Award winner for Green Products and Practices

As a manufactured stone, SeaStone helps to protect the environment by serving as alternative green product to mined stone. The shell and other marine fossils that form the foundation of the SeaStone tile product are natural fossil waste products derived regionally and outside the United States. SeaStone utilizes tumbled waste glass from glass manufacturers in its product line. The result is eco-friendly tile product that reveals the translucent, light refracting qualities of glass and natural beauty of shell.

The Marietta National Cemetery; Celebrating our heroes through the heartbreak

Reflecting on the freedoms we enjoy and the oath of the American Constitution

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Overlooking the historic battleground of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, there is nothing like springtime in Atlanta. The hardwoods are blooming and the weather is just right for enjoying nature and exploring the great outdoors.  The Marietta National Cemetery caught my eye that day, as it had many times before on the way to see a friend. This time I began to think about going inside and releasing the travel, traffic and business issues of the day, at least temporarily.

Marietta National Cemetery was organized by Union Army Chaplain Thomas B. Van Horne, who also laid out the Chattanooga National Cemetery. One of the national cemeteries constructed between 1861 and 1869, the designs for Marietta National Cemetery were the most ornate and elaborate of its era. Locally quarried marble features among the diverse array of beautiful, Greek revival architectural stone monuments. First buried here is Mr. John Clark around the time of the revolutionary war. The last family internment was in 1990.

American men and women who paid the highest price are resting here, mainly as a result of the Civil War (circa. 1803 -1814, 1870-1880, 1883-1884). Brave and proud people of many origins and creeds fought and died as a result of general Sherman’s decision to burn Atlanta. All told during that period, there were 10,312 union and confederate souls who had fallen together.  A great many other social atrocities occurred then, including the “Trail of Tears.”

Civil War followed by WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam War veterans lie here. They hail mainly from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and New York. A granite monument, honoring 405 sons of Wisconsin who perished during the civil war was erected by Stotzer and Co., of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Memorial Day 1925.

Discussion topics:

Cherokee Indian Removal, Ft. Butler, NC

Resources:
http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/marietta.asp#gi

Saving Historic Homes and Landmarks from Demolition

SAVING historic landmarks from demolition is only the first step in preservation.  History alone cannot attract the funds necessary to restoration.  Take, for example, the following points into consideration:

1. Discover whatever you can about the building or site that you are trying to preserve:

• What makes the building or place significant?

Is the architecture unusual or special?

Did a famous architect design the place?

Did a famous person live there?

Did an important event take place there?

• Is it on the National or State Registers of Historic Places? If not, try to place it on a register.

A register listing usually doesn’t protect a building but it shows how significant the structure is.

• Is it part of a local historic district? This can be verified at the Town Clerk’s office.

Usually structures and landscapes in historic districts are protected by district regulations.

If the site is not part of an existing local historic district, consider as a long-range plan, working to incorporate it into one or establishing a new local historic district.

• Is it listed in a local historic resource survey? Maps are available from the Connecticut Historical Commission showing what parts of the state have been surveyed.
• Does it have any other type of important designation or status in the community?
• Remember, not every building can be saved and you cannot afford to save every building.

2. Determine what is the exact nature of the threat to the building/landscape:

• Is it owner neglect?

If so, then local health and zoning laws usually require that buildings should be maintained. Check to see if the local codes can reverse the situation.

• Is it threatened with demolition or with alteration beyond recognition?

Check to see if your community has a delay of demolition ordinance that will halt the demolition.

In some States, proposed demolition of designated historic properties can be challenged under the Environmental Protection Act.

3. Can you offer the owner any prudent and feasible alternatives to destruction?

• Have any efforts been made to examine adaptive re-use of this property?  Consider adaptive reuse via private ownership. Old, historic buildings
  can be successfully converted to office, residential or retail use.

4. Determine what your goal (or that of your organization) is.

• Do you want to save and stabilize a building or are you considering long-term plans for the building/landscape?
• Long-term plans require a great deal more funding, planning and energy than just short-term stabilization. Make sure that you have a solid plan (which includes funding sources) before you embark on any large projects.

5. Determine who else is trying to save the building (local historical societies, preservation organizations, government agencies) and join forces with them. 

• Along with this, make friends throughout the community. Often a variety of people (environmentalists, business leaders, local officials) not just preservationists will join you if they believe in your cause.
• A group is more effective than a lone protester.

6. Educate the community about the threatened site. Show people why it is important to save the site.

• One way to illustrate this is to show an image of the site with and without the historic building/landscape.
• When you present reasonable  alternatives to demolition, you provide the community with more reasons to oppose demolition of the building or site. Often there are good reasons for demolition.  If so, you should be able to provide reasonable/feasible alternatives.
• Contact the media and keep the issue in the public eye.
• Contact your elected officials and inform them about the threat to the building/landscape. State your concerns about the destruction of the building/site and why it’s important to save it. Present your plan for alternatives to demolition
• Work with the State Trust for Historic Preservation to help preserve the historic building/landscape. The Trust can help you with these keys to successful advocacy, and can also provide information on funding, on restoration contractors, engineers, architects and researchers. The Historical Commission is in the State’s historic preservation office and can help your campaign by making National Register nominations, Local Historic District study committees and information on restoration grants.

7. Always maintain a professional and business-like demeanor. 

• Listen to the opposition (as you would have them listen to you) and learn from them.
• When you are called to make presentations, you should be clear and succinct.
• Emotional outbursts are counterproductive and will alienate potential allies.

8. Once successful in your efforts, work with the Trust to determine the best ways to protect the site. 

• A good first step is to get a Delay of Demolition in local regulations.
• Another approach is to place a preservation easement on the property.
  A preservation easement is a legal agreement that grants a limited right to a qualified nonprofit organization to protect the property from changes which are not in keeping with its historic, architectural or natural character. It provides the knowledge that the property will be protected for generations to come.

Having been through the process, I impart this information with the highest regard to restoration enthusiasts everywhere.  Have Questions?  Ask E

 

Part II: New uses of dormant properties bring economic benefits

Not every old structure can be saved.  But the good news is that restoring and maintaining antique buildings can bring economic benefits to our communities. Redevelopment can bring tax dollars to poor or developing communities and prevent contamination of the environment from old industrial sites. In addition, some of the oldest surviving landmarks are for the most part, history museums.

Saving a historic resource from demolition is only the first step in its preservation. Since history alone will rarely attract the funds necessary to rehabilitate, you have to examine the marketplace, the economy and the area, and determine a use that is consistent with current market trends for the area or the region. A professional firm can be hired to provide this kind of analysis.

Retired Union Station, North Hampton, MA

New England is after all, best known for its early colonial historic properties. From 17th and 18th century English cottage and “saltbox” architecture to 19th century mills, these landmarks enhance the quality of our lives by defining the history and character of our towns. Many old structures have been successfully revitalized and converted to tea rooms, loft apartments, shops, museums, offices and restaurants. Take for example, Northampton’s Union Station built in 1896. This busy rail station brought many people to Hartford, New Haven and New York, as well as north to Boston and up to the state of Maine. In the 1950’s planes, buses and automobiles slowly became the preferred mode of transport, rendering this century-old train station almost obsolete. Finally, the phoenix rose again and in 1986, after extensive renovations, the magnificent old station was re-adapted to become a popular restaurant.

If you are interested in reviving a dormant property, I invite you to discover what you can about the building’s structure, its age, as well as the technical implications of maintaining the original design in conformance with the local Historic Building Authority. And by all means, enjoy your project!

Source:
Massachusetts Historical Commission

Inspecting Historic Properties, by William Kibbel III. Published by the Old House Web

Imagine the U.S. Without Historic Places

The United States of America is after all, best known for its settlements of colonial, Victorian and Federal Era Houses and Villages. In the world of 19th to 20th century America, dwellings were built mostly of masonry and wood. Our forefathers faced many challenges but addressed these issues with incredible diligence and quality craftsmanship. Many of the construction methods of today have come about due to what we have learned and improved upon through extensive knowledge gained from past generations. Beyond the revolutionary war, there was the industrial revolution.

Historic properties enhance the quality of our lives by defining the history and character of our towns. The economic benefits can be a motivating factor for restoring and maintaining traditional (antique) and vintage (less than 100 year old) buildings. Many old structures have been successfully revitalized and converted to tea rooms, loft apartments, shops, museums, offices and restaurants. Now more than ever it is time to recapture America’s heart toward preserving more of our nation’s historic towns and cities.