VCU SCOTT HOUSE Window Restoration

by Gepetto Millworks | Jun 9, 2024 | Architectural Millwork, Historic Restoration, Project Spotlight, Virginia, Wooden Windows

SCOTT House on VCU Campus

Window Restoration

Beaux Arts style Window Restoration

Authentic Craftsmanship

THE SCOTT HOUSE is one of Richmond’s most significant examples of American Renaissance architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was completed in 1911 and acquired by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2001. The 18,000 sf mansion was built for Frederic William Scott and his wife Elizabeth Strother Scott. It was modeled after the Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island, which referenced the Petit Trianon at Versailles. Interior plasterwork is attributed to prominent sculptor and plaster contractor, Ferruccio Legnaioli.

VCU commissioned Glavé & Holmes Architecture (G&H) to provide a feasibility study to assess existing conditions, programming, and conceptual design. Subsequently, G&H was selected to provide a historically-sensitive rehabilitation to allow the building to serve as meeting and event space for visiting and University groups.

Goals for rehabilitation the Scott House included restoration of the exterior masonry and windows supplied by Gepetto Millworks Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems were upgraded to modern standards. New restrooms, and conversions to office space and meeting rooms became part of the plans to serve the University Campus. While the rehabilitation will serve a variety of modern programmatic functions, the building’s historic fabric was restored in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and the University’s preservation philosophy for historic buildings.

Historic preservation seeks to find effective and artful ways of maintaining and reusing significant buildings, landscapes, and communities. Central to the discipline is the attempt to preserve cultural identity in the face of the threats of urban sprawl and loss of social diversity.

Maintain, protect, and repair authentic character defining features, materials, and finishes. If features are deteriorated beyond repair, replace them in-kind. Retain authentic historic building fabric to the maximum extent possible.

Historic building restoration respects the evolution of historic changes, fashion, taste, and use – do not try to “improve” the design of authentic building features.

Avoid installation of conjectural “historic” features.

Do not use maintenance methods or materials that damage significant building and landscape fabric.

Authentic Window Restoration Richmond

Richmond VA Authentic Historic Window Restoration

Scott House was built in 1907, and is a three-story, 40,950 square foot, Beaux Arts style mansion. The house is seven bays wide and is faced with a pale Indiana limestone. It features a central portico of four, giant Corinthian order columns and two Corinthian pilasters that dominate the highly formal, symmetrical entrance façade. Elizabeth and Frederic Scott bought the property from Lewis Ginter in 1903, Elisabeth Scott Bocock, moved into the house in the mid 20th century. While there, she founded the Historic Richmond Foundation, the 2300 Club, and the Hand Workshop (now known as the Visual Arts Center of Richmond). In the 1960s, the house was subdivided and used as dorms for VCU students, which continued into the 90s. A renovation in 2004 led to the Scott House opening its doors to the public, and the designation of the building as a Virginia Historic Landmark.

The historic Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island was chosen as inspiration for the Richmond structure, which was itself modeled after the Petit Trianon in Versailles. It stands proudly removed from West Franklin, an exception to the block’s density. The stately house, a handsome combination of limestone and terra cotta, is grounded by green-tiled wrapping terraces and a porte-cochére, shaded by trees in the house’s garden. Oxidized copper and careful cast iron work beautifully balance the gravity of the building’s exterior. Oversized fluted columns with Corinthian capitals give the mansion a sense of monumentality. The interior is a classic example of the American Renaissance style, originating in the 18th century. The occupant moves through the symmetrically divided rooms with no hallways on the first floor, structured around a main entrance stair which lies under a magnificent stained glass dome. Servants’ quarters are to the rear of the building, and a large English style carriage house is hidden behind the mansion. The Anderson Gallery, constructed in 1888 from the former Ginter House stables, also stands behind the Scott-Bocock House. The splendor of the structure is a reminder of Richmond’s insurance and banking glory days in the early 20th century, when it was an indulgent capital of the South.

Authentic Historic Window Restoration Virginia

Virginia Window Restorers

Historic Replica Windows Made to Order

Southeast US Window Rehabilitation

Wooden Window Fabrication

South Carolina Wooden Window Supplier

by Matthew Wiley | Jun 17, 2023 | Historic Restoration, Wooden Windows

In the realm of architectural preservation and restoration, historic buildings hold a special place, preserving the essence of South Carolina’s rich heritage. When undertaking historic building projects, architects and construction managers can greatly benefit from the historic tax credit certification program. In this article, we will explore the significance of historic wooden windows in these projects, highlight the expertise of Gepetto Millworks as a supplier, and shed light on the advantages of leveraging the historic tax credit certification from a professional perspective.

Historic Wooden Windows and the Importance of Preservation

Architectural Integrity: Historic wooden windows are an essential component of a building’s architectural integrity. These windows showcase the craftsmanship, detailing, and design principles of a specific era, adding to the overall character and historical significance of a structure. Preserving and restoring these windows is crucial to maintaining the authenticity and charm of historic buildings.

Preservation Guidelines: When working on historic building projects, adherence to preservation guidelines is of utmost importance. These guidelines often dictate the retention or replication of original features, including windows. Gepetto Millworks specializes in producing historically accurate wooden windows that comply with preservation standards and bring the building back to its former glory.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Solutions: Contrary to misconceptions, historic wooden windows can be energy-efficient when properly restored and upgraded. Gepetto Millworks utilizes modern weatherstripping techniques and energy-efficient glass options to enhance the performance of historic windows while preserving their original aesthetics. This approach aligns with sustainable design practices and promotes energy conservation in historic building projects.

Expertise in Historic Wooden Windows

Craftsmanship and Attention to Detail: Gepetto Millworks has a well-established reputation for its commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. Their team of skilled artisans combines traditional woodworking techniques with modern innovations, ensuring the production of historically accurate and superior-quality wooden windows. Each window is meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards of excellence.

Customization and Replication: Gepetto Millworks understands the importance of customization and replication when it comes to historic building projects. They possess in-depth knowledge of various architectural styles prevalent in South Carolina, enabling them to replicate windows with utmost precision, even in cases of unique or intricate designs. Their ability to provide customization options allows architects and construction managers to tailor the windows to the specific requirements of the project.

Material Selection and Durability: Gepetto Millworks takes pride in sourcing only the finest materials for their historic wooden windows. Premium-grade hardwoods are carefully selected to match the original species used in historic structures. This meticulous attention to material selection ensures that the windows not only maintain an authentic appearance but also exhibit exceptional durability and longevity, supporting the long-term preservation goals of the building project.

Benefits of Historic Tax Credit Certification

Financial Incentives: The historic tax credit certification program offers significant financial incentives for owners and developers of historic buildings. By adhering to specific preservation standards, projects can become eligible for tax credits that can offset a portion of the rehabilitation costs. These credits can be used to reduce tax liabilities, attract investors, and lower overall project costs, making historic building projects more economically viable.

Preservation Advocacy: The historic tax credit certification program promotes the preservation and restoration of historic structures. By participating in the program, architects and construction managers contribute to the preservation of South Carolina’s architectural heritage. This involvement not only enhances the cultural value of the community but also positions them as stewards of historic preservation.

Marketing and Recognition: Buildings with historic tax credit certification gain recognition and prestige within the industry. They become eligible for various marketing

supplying historic restoration millwork

by Matthew Wiley | Jan 30, 2023 | Historic Restoration

Matt Wiley has 20+ years of experrience building historic homes and large scale commercial restoration projects. Matthew’s father taught and trained him in the carpentry and building trades from 12 years old and on. As his father was a general foreman builing residential homes Matt was trained in lumber calculation for project management in his early teens. Time saving job order, and the use of custom made ‘jigs’ to speed repetitive tasks was taught and practiced from Matt’s formative years. Matt moved from the rural hills of western virginia to Richmond’s most historic district – Church Hill before it was popular. Building the late 90’s and early 2000’s in Church Hill Matthew found a severe shortage in historically accurate building materials that caused a project management problem in restoring the row houses of the 19th century. From balusters to windows, historically correct materials where nearly unavailailable and using vinyl windows in a beautiful 3 story six digit home just did not keep the aestetic alive.

And in a beautiful turn of fate Matthew had the opportunity to buy “Beckstoffer’s Millwork” at 1207 N 28th Street in the early 2000’s. At that point the facility was 100 years old and many of the tools and records were still in tact. The formative experience of a lifelong craftsman was now turned to the speciaty that provides a lifetime of challenge and project variety. Throughout the real estate boom and urban return of the 2000’s Matthew ran a shop of 20+ employees supplying everything from basic kitchens to historic retrofits of much of Tobacco Row warehouse conversions. In the full market stop of the financial crisis of 09; Matthew’s operation had to re-size with the rest of the industry and it was the demand for historically accurate building supplies that carried Matthew’s interest, as well as cashflow.

@gepetto.millworks Historic Replication Millwork for Tax Accredited Projects #historictaxcredit #restorstion #historic ♬ original sound - Gepettomillworks

The Tax Reform Act of 1986

Regulations provide a federal income-tax credit for owners of historic buildings that undergo substantial rehabilitations into income-producing uses. A credit equal to 20% of a rehabilitation’s qualified rehabilitation expenditures may be subtracted directly from the owner’s federal income taxes. A program of the National Park Service (NPS), the federal tax credits are administered by the State.

Historic Building Tax Credit Benefits

Helps close the financing gap between the cost of a rehabilitation project and its return on investment
Encourages the preservation of historic buildings
Sustainably reuses the built environment
Increases the value of rehabilitated, historic properties
Returns underutilized structures to the tax rolls
Revitalizes downtowns and neighborhoods and often increases the amount of rental housing within the community

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Museum Restoration Builder Virginia

by Matthew Wiley | Dec 17, 2020 | Architectural Millwork, Historic Restoration

Wood Craft Supplier for Mount Vernon Estate

Gepetto Millworks of Richmond VA is proud to have supplied many of the museum quality restoration woodworking pieces for instalation at the historic estate of George Washington.

Restoration Builders of Virginia’s History

As both the birthplace of the American Colony, and the capital of the much disputed Confederate states Virginia’s counties, cities and towns hold the richest living history of any state in the Union. Gepetto craftsmen fashion historically accurate windows for private homes in historic neighborhoods like Church Hill, or The Fan in Richmond, as well as historic communities like the

One of these is not like the other

Can you see the difference?

PREAPPROVED hand crafted details

To finish the fences in an historically authentic look and feel, Gepetto Craftsmen used hand cut templates emulating the mistakes a 1700’s carpenter might have made in the process of fashioning hundreds of newell posts. The post tops are cut from solid pieces just like 200 years ago. However, our craftsmen are accustomed to 21st century levels of detail and repeatability and work with some of the highest quality machine tools – to produce the same result craftsmen working with steel that had only been tempered by a blacksmith 200+ years ago. The post tops were cut with varying templates to give a pre-approved – hand fashined look and feel allowing the museum historians as much input as possible in their final product.

Contact Matthew for creative working solutions to achieve your museum quality restoration.