Moffatt-Ladd House / Portsmouth, NH

Overlooking the Piscataqua River, the Moffatt-Ladd House was constructed in 1763 by John Moffatt for his son, Samuel, an enterprising local merchant who then suffered financial reverses and fled to the West Indies.  The property remained in the family's possession continuously until the death of Alexander H. Ladd in 1900. In 1912 ownership and active stewardship passed from Mr. Ladd's surviving children to The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of New Hampshire. Today the property consists of the house, the c.1830 Counting House, a carriage house, and extensive gardens developed primarily by A. H. Ladd and carefully maintained by the Colonial Dames. The Georgian style historic house museum is listed on the National Register and NHL. In 2000 a CAP report, funded by Heritage Preservation under the Conservation Assessment Program, was prepared by Randall T. Crawford. In 2002 Crawford & Stearns completed documentation floor plans and elevations for the house and began work on the architectural component of an Historic Structure Report as well as a Water Control Study, the latter funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Since then recommended water control measures have been implemented in stages and Dr. Ward has completed the history component of the Historic Structure Report with support from Crawford & Stearns (1999-2015).

Erie House Tavern at Lock 52 / Port Byron, NY

The former Lock 52 site on the Erie Canal in Port Byron, New York contains the National Register-listed 1850s limestone canal lock, lock prism, numerous masonry features, extensive dry-docks as well as historic architectural structures include the 1894 Erie House Tavern & Hotel, the 1890s blacksmith shop, and mule shed. The canal closed at this location in 1917 and in the 1950s the NYS Thruway was constructed just feet north of the site. The Canal Society of New York State has owned the property adjacent to the lock since the 1990s and has now completed their vision for an historic site anchored by the lock, the three historic buildings, and site with Crawford & Stearns as preservation consultant, compliance consultant, and preservation architect. Federal funding sources include the Federal Highway Administration and member items from two local Congressmen.  New York State funding included the NYS Thruway, NYS OPRHP EPF grant, and the NYS Canal Corporation Greenway Grant program. Over the course of this project the lead consultants have changed three times however Crawford & Stearns remained as the preservation architect and consultant throughout the project. Crawford & Stearns identified and coordinated cultural resource issues and reviews with this project involving NYS-DEC, NYS-OPRHP, NPS, and FHWA.  Work first included coordination of an initial Stage 1-A archaeological investigation and subsequently Crawford & Stearns worked with Hartgen Associates to undertake a Stage 1-B and shovel investigation. Crawford & Stearns provided consultation with regard to site development, lock and prism development and prepared complete architectural design services, and contract documents for the restoration of the Erie House, Blacksmith Shop, and Mule Shed as part of a NYS EPF grant. The Erie Canal Heritage Park project was the recipient of the 2020 Heritage Award from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

The Cayuga Museum / Auburn, NY

The Cayuga Museum, known historically as the Willard-Case Mansion, was constructed in 1836 by John Seymour. In 1843 the mansion was purchased by Sylvester Willard who with his wife, two daughters, and his in-laws, Erastus and Mary Case, moved into the mansion. In 1916, Willard Case, a cousin, inherited the estate. The mansion soon became the home of Case’s son, Theodore Case, who in 1916 modified a former greenhouse into the Case Research Laboratory. It was at this laboratory that the first commercially successful method of recording sound on movie film was developed. In 1936, the mansion was donated to the Cayuga Museum of History and Art. The building is a mix of architectural styles with elements of the Greek Revival, Italianate, and Renaissance Revival periods.  Architects and Preservation Crawford & Stearns were architects for the EQBA-funded rehabilitation and restoration of the historic 1916 Case Research Laboratory Building and Sound Studio (1993 - 1997). Crawford & Stearns also prepared contract drawings for the rehabilitation of the Cayuga Museum’s Carriage House for reuse as a small 100-seat theater (2009) including window restoration, limited interior renovations, and new stairway construction allowing for larger groups to occupy the space. The firm has also completed the re-activation of an early elevator, improvements to attic storage facilities, and the reconstruction of the cupola, destroyed by fire over 30 years ago. Randy Crawford is scheduled to prepare an architectural conservation assessment report in 2022 with funding provided by the Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) of the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation.

Wentworth Coolidge Mansion / Portsmouth, NH

The Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion is located at Little Harbor on the Piscataqua River southeast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Named for its original owner, Governor Benning Wentworth, and its last private owners, the Coolidge family, the house was acquired by the State of New Hampshire in 1954.  Currently the site is managed by the Wentworth-Coolidge Commission as a house museum and includes a caretaker’s wing occupied by State personnel. The first house was constructed, possibly by remodeling an earlier structure, circa 1750 as the residence of Governor Bennning Wentworth and also served as the meeting place of the Provincial Council prior to the Revolution.  The current structure encompasses approximately 10,000 square feet of floor area. In 2001, Crawford & Stearns was retained to prepare an architectural assessment report for the house to assess physical conditions, previous and proposed renovation work, and conditions which may be contributing to the building’s deterioration.  This report, funded under Heritage Preservation’s Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) administered by the Institute of Library and Museum Services.concurrent collections assessment. Subsequently Crawford & Stearns with ACC prepared a Moisture Management Plan for the site to correct specific problems identified in the initial report.  This study was completed in 2005.