Sanborn House Gets Cooking!

Thanks to a grant of $5,000 from the En Ka Society, the Historical Society will take the first step in upgrading the kitchen of the Sanborn House. After meeting with John Sousa of Crabtree McGrath Associates, Food Facilities Planners, and Sue Clark, an experienced caterer and our former Facilities Manager, the Building Committee drafted a preliminary kitchen plan.

Work will begin on the “buttery,” the service entry that once housed food deliveries and the ice chest. Last year the asbestos tiles were removed; this year contractors will install a new sub-floor and flooring, prepare and paint the room. This will provide storage space for both our own equipment and rentals dropped off by caterers for events. The funds will also allow us to purchase two large stainless steel worktables. The Society is working with the Winchester Board of Health on long-term plans and current practice so that events at the Sanborn House meet state requirements.

We received additional donations from our members who attended the Potluck Dinner at the Sanborn House in March. These will be set aside for plumbing improvements. Having an attractive, usable kitchen will improve our ability to make maximum use of the first floor rooms and contribute to the sustainability of operations. Additional contributions for this effort are always welcome.

Tales from the Sanborn

by Nancy Kilker

As restoration continues on the Sanborn House, new discoveries are made that are fun to share. This discovery was made when Christopher Potts, president of Duffy Floors in Medford was evaluating the condition of the floors on the second floor. He told us the following:

The floor in the small office (formerly sewing room) is made of pine, but not ordinary pine. Based on the length and uniformity of the planks, it was originally milled from trees that were over 100 years old at the time, possibly a mill set up on the premises to cut the wood for the floors. All the boards in the room are one length – the length of the room – and milled from the center of the trees. This wood is no longer available, except from reclamation or salvage of trees that have been buried in water for a long time (over 100 years) and preserved by cold water. This wood is very difficult to find and very expensive to replace. Fortunately the floor is in great condition.

Mr. Potts was thrilled to see this floor since it is not often that such work can be found any longer and added that this floor is much more valuable that any on the first floor. He also enjoyed being in the Sanborn House again as his mother, Shirley Potts worked for the School Department when it was located in the Sanborn House. (January 2009)

Sanborn House raises the roof!

by Donna Patalano
The Historical Society’s restoration work is continuing! In November 2008, the Winchester Historical Society took a major step towards the restoration of the Sanborn House Historical and Cultural Center. Under the direction of the Historical Society, A & M Roofing began to repair and replace the roof of the Sanborn House, the beautiful beaux-arts style home located at 15 High Street on the campus of the Ambrose Elementary School. The photograph above shows the House with the balustrades removed as the roof replacement gets underway.

Today the roof restoration is complete with the exception of some down spout work that will be completed as the weather permits. The home is once against watertight in time for the winter season.

Since 2006, the Winchester Historical Society has served as steward to the Sanborn House. The roof repair, which the Society has financed with a combination of private donations and grants, is just one more step in the on-going restoration effort. The Historical Society is supervising the work to transform the house and grounds into a vibrant community center that celebrates heritage, art, culture, and beauty.