Sanborn House Goes Green!

by David Stirling

The Sanborn House Historical and Cultural Center now has an advanced state of the art roof insulation system and air barrier in addition to the brand ply membrane applied over two thirds of the building roof last fall. Open-cell spray foam insulation has been installed in the dropped ceiling areas directly below the new roof system. The insulation materials were generously donated to the Winchester Historical Society by the product manufacturer, Icynene Inc. (Mississauga, ON.) The Society would like to thank the manufacturer’s representative Jack Sheehan for his help in obtaining this donation. Healthy Homes of Melrose, MA was hired by the Society to apply the spray foam insulation.

One of the great advantages of the Icynene material is that it not only provides a high value of thermal insulation, it also provides an air-seal or air-barrier, effectively minimizing air leakage. This delivers significant moisture control and improved air quality. Before products like this were available, air leakage during the heating season carried warm heated air and moisture from the building, typically resulting in half of the building’s energy loss. The air removed is replaced by infiltration of the unheated air through gaps in the structure. Infiltration also brings outdoor allergens, odors and pollutants into the building. In hot weather with air conditioning systems, air barriers produce similar savings in operating costs. Icynene is 100% water-blown, with no hydrofluorocarbons that can off-gas into the indoor environment. Water, being a non-ozone depleting substance, does not contribute to global warming. Icynene is classified as a green product, which helps buildings qualify for Green Building programs such as LEED and NGBS (National Green Building Standard).

The Winchester Historical Society will continue to implement important and critically needed improvements to the historic Sanborn House. Future priorities include an energy and mechanical systems study, replacement of the current oil fired boiler with gas fired equipment, upgrades to the catering and kitchen facility, facade improvements and a new accessible entrance. If you can help with any of these projects, please contact the Society at 781-721-0135. Volunteers with expertise in any of these priority areas would be welcome.

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)