West Façade Restoration of Historic Maple Grove in Poughkeepsie, NY Nearing Completion

The restoration of the West Façade of the Historic Maple Grove estate in Poughkeepsie, NY, is expected to be complete in May of 2005. Maple Grove, one of the Hudson Valley's finest historical sites, is on the New York State Register of Historic Places. The building restoration was funded by a matching grant from the NY State Clean Air Clean Water Bond Act administered by the New York State Office for Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). The match for the grant was raised from broad community support for the project and was partially underwritten by the building's owner, the St. Simeon Foundation.

The work was carried out by New Paltz architect, Matthew Bialecki, AIA, of Bialecki Architects. The process involved a complete survey of the existing conditions of the structure and preparation of detailed drawings and specification for the restoration of the windows, shutters, exterior handrails and trim. A chromachronology analysis was also carried out to identify the original building colors.

The restoration contract was awarded to Jon Behrends of Precision Contractor in Poughkeepsie. Work began in November of 2004 when the façade was stripped of many layers of accumulated paint. Critical structural repairs are being completed and repainting is nearing completion.

As the plans for future uses of the building become better defined, work will proceed on renovation and restoration of both the interior and exterior of the structure, as well as the redesign and restoration of the surrounding grounds and gardens.

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