Cornice Restoration Completed

Cornice Restoration Completed

MEYERSDALE -- On October 12, 2004, Buddy Grimm and Michael Warnick, of Buddy Grimm Carpentry, completed an exhaustive restoration of the Historic Colonial Hotel’s grand dropped cornice. The project was funded in part through a facade improvement grant from Meyersdale Renaissance, Inc.

After decades of deferred maintenance and brutal weather, the cornice, which spans the entire front facade between the third and fourth floors, had become unsafe and unsightly. Generations of pigeons roosted in the decorative element, making it unhealthy as well. While the structural support system remained relatively sound, exterior elements of the cornice were at risk of falling from the facade

Grimm and Warnick began their project on September 16. It required the careful, in-kind replacement of deteriorated components and the restoration of salvageable materials, according to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. They removed deteriorated portions of the cornice and cleaned out the pigeon roosts. They then sistered some of the weakened rafters and stringers. The cornice itself consists of several different kinds of molding, the profiles of which are not available today. But using the existing moldings, Grimm milled exact replicas. The contractor then scraped, primed, and repainted the entire cornice. It also received a new, standing-seam aluminum roof in the same red color as the original galvanized tin flashing. All of the work had to be completed on ladders and platforms nearly 60 feet above Main Street.

This exhaustive restoration of the cornice has resulted in the reemergence of the building’s most exquisite architectural detail and signals the beginning of the New Colonial Hotel’s rehabilitation.

Cheria Yost and Adam Thomas, owners of the Historic Colonial Hotel, wish to thank Grimm and Warnick for all of their hard work in restoring the cornice. The contractor exceeded their expectations. Buddy Grimm Carpentry, of Meyersdale, can be reached at (814) 634-8378.


Cornice Restoration Completed MEYERSDALE -- On October 12, 2004, Buddy Grimm and Michael Warnick, of Buddy Grimm Carpentry, completed an exhaustive restoration of the Historic Colonial Hotel’s grand dropped cornice. The project was funded in part through a facade improvement grant from Meyersdale Renaissance, Inc. After decades of deferred maintenance and brutal weather, the cornice, which spans the entire front facade between the third and fourth floors, had become unsafe and unsightly. Generations of pigeons roosted in the decorative element, making it unhealthy as well. While the structural support system remained relatively sound, exterior elements of the cornice were at risk of falling from the facade Grimm and Warnick began their project on September 16. It required the careful, in-kind replacement of deteriorated components and the restoration of salvageable materials, according to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. They removed deteriorated portions of the cornice and cleaned out the pigeon roosts. They then sistered some of the weakened rafters and stringers. The cornice itself consists of several different kinds of molding, the profiles of which are not available today. But using the existing moldings, Grimm milled exact replicas. The contractor then scraped, primed, and repainted the entire cornice. It also received a new, standing-seam aluminum roof in the same red color as the original galvanized tin flashing. All of the work had to be completed on ladders and platforms nearly 60 feet above Main Street. This exhaustive restoration of the cornice has resulted in the reemergence of the building’s most exquisite architectural detail and signals the beginning of the New Colonial Hotel’s rehabilitation. Cheria Yost and Adam Thomas, owners of the Historic Colonial Hotel, wish to thank Grimm and Warnick for all of their hard work in restoring the cornice. The contractor exceeded their expectations. Buddy Grimm Carpentry, of Meyersdale, can be reached at (814) 634-8378.
(c) 2005 Historic Colonial Hotel, L.L.C.