Village Craftsmen

170 Howard Street 

The Homer & Aliph Howard Home

Click on photo below for an introduction to our rehabilitation project:

A record of work done in January & February, 2005 (click on most photos to see a larger image):

January, 2005

Finally, the wiring is complete.  We are expecting the building inspector any day to give his final approval so power can be turned on to the house.

Carpenters are back.  All of the original floorboards and bead board have been re-nailed.  Tide water (in the hurricanes of 1933 & 1944) had taken its toll on the more than 100 year old nails and most had completely rusted away.  

Clay & Alan are putting up new bead board wherever we were unable to save the original interior walls.  In the downstairs bathroom only the trim is left to do before we can sand, paint, and install fixtures.  

Wiring & New Bead Board Upstairs:

(Click on photo to view a larger image.)

Downstairs Bathroom:

(Click on photo to view a larger image.)

February, 2005

The Hyde County building inspector gave final approval for the wiring on Wednesday, February 2.  The electric company turned on power to the house the next day, Thursday, February  3.  Everything works like a charm.  We were turning all the lights on and off just for the fun of it!

Having working receptacles has also made the carpenters' work easier.  There is power in every room now, and they don't need as many extension cords snaking all through the house.  

Work has been progressing on interior walls and ceilings, as well as on the front porch ceiling.

View of the Front Porch Ceiling:

(Click on photo to view a larger image.)

There are so many different planes and angles on the porch ceiling that it took two carpenters a day and a half to put up all the bead board.  In this photo you can see one of the two small windows that look down on the porch from the upstairs bedroom.  These windows are a distinctive characteristic of the traditional Outer Banks "story & a jump" house.  

The original white, hand-hewn beams were saved for their original purpose, to accommodate a porch swing.

Upstairs Bathroom viewed from the Bedroom:

(Click on photo to view a larger image.)

The new upstairs bathroom replaces part of a small bedroom.  New bead board matches the original interior walls.

Kitchen/Dining Room Ceiling:

(Click on photo to view a larger image.)

This kitchen ceiling had to be replaced along with the entire rear portion of the roof which had been severely damaged by water. New bead board hides duct work for the central heating & air conditioning system.

New Heat Pump Outside:

(Click on photo to view a larger image.)

Although not an historical addition, the heat pump will help make the house comfortable year 'round.  It nestles behind the bathroom addition, hiding it from view from the road.

Milestones

February 03, 2005: Power is restored to the house.  

February 12, 2005: The heat pump is fully installed and running. The house is toasty and comfortable.  The A/C works too.  

Go here for links to ongoing rehabilitation work on the Homer & Aliph Howard home.

Check back periodically for additional photos and more information about the progress of this project.