140P2020R0019-0001_Att04b_HistStructureReport-Pt02of03_081125.pdf

CHARACTER-DEFINING

FEATURES AND

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

CHARACTER-DEFINING FEATURES

Introduction

A historic structure may be significant for its architectural features and/or its association with historic events and persons. The 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is recognized by the National Register under both of those criteria (see the previous section “Introduction”).

The character-defining features (CDFs) of a structure are those visual features and elements that define the structure and contribute to its historic integrity. To retain the historic integrity of the structure it is important to retain and preserve those CDFs.

The proposed treatment the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is rehabilitation and interpretation.67 The rehabilitation of a structure includes the retention of CDFs. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation address this in the definition of “rehabilitation”, which is “the process of returning a property to a state of utility, through repair or alteration, which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions and features of the property that are significant to its historic, architectural, and cultural values.”68 The Secretary of the Interior further addresses rehabilitation in the following standards:

1. A property will be used as it was historically, or be given a new use that requires minimal change to its distinctive materials, features, spaces, and spatial relationships.

2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided.

3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or elements from other historic properties, will not be undertaken.

4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will be retained and preserved.

5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved.

67 General Management Plan Amendment. (Department of the Interior, NPS, Jan. 1990).

68 Kay D. Weeks and Anne E. Grimmer, The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1995) p.

61.

6. Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match the old in design, color, texture, and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features will be substantiated by documentary and physical evidence.

7. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be undertaken using the gentlest means possible. Treatments that cause damage to historic materials will not be used.

8. Archeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken.

9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment.

10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction will be undertaken in such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.69

The following sections will identify the character-defining features and make general recommendations for the rehabilitation of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station.

Exterior Elements

Design and Context

• The importance of the Spermaceti Cove site as the location of the earliest federally sponsored efforts to save the lives and property of coastal shipwrecks as recognized by the Fort Hancock National Historic Landmark designation.

• The importance of the location of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving station in relation to other life-saving stations established along the New Jersey coastline, as well as with regard to the development of the U.S. Life-Saving Service on both the national level and the local level.

• The design of the Duluth-type life-saving station by George R. Tolman and the execution of that design at Spermaceti Cove, which is recognized under criteria C of the National Register of Historic Places. The construction of other Duluth-type stations sometimes varied from Tolman’s plans but the Spermaceti Cove station closely follows those plans.

69 NPS website URL – http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/stanguide/rehab/rehab_standards.htm

• The overall massing of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station including the one-and-a-half story Main Block, the one-story Boat Room, and the four-story Tower with a cantilevered window opening section in the watch room.

Porches

• The east elevation Front Porch, which was an integral part of the original structure and is prominent in many historic photographs. In addition the porch roof extends the roof line of the Main Block and is part of the overall massing of the station. The porch was enclosed in the 1960s but was recently restored by the Park.

• The west elevation Back Porch, which was constructed as an open porch but is presently enclosed. The Back Porch was part of the original structure and compliments the larger Front Porch. Like the Front Porch, the roof of the Back Porch extends the roof line of the Main Block and is integral to the overall design and massing of the structure.

Doorways

• The overall design and proportions of the exterior doorways and doorway elements, which were constructed in accordance with the Duluth-type life-saving station plans.

• The locations of the exterior doorways in relation to the functions of the station. As previously described, D101 was the formal entry into the Tower and Main Block of the station; D102 opened into the Storm-Clothes Room and would have been used by the station crew; D103 was the Back Entry and had access to the Kitchen and Keeper’s Room; D104 is the location of the former doorway for the beach cart section of the Boat Room; and D105 and D106 were used to access the surf boats and life-saving apparatus stored in the Boat Room.

• The basement bulkhead entrance was constructed in conjunction with the addition of the full basement in 1909. The extant wooden bulkhead with batten doors appears to be in keeping with the original elements. The bulkhead entrance is characteristic of the building from 1909 to the present.

Window Openings

• The overall design, proportions, and locations of the exterior window openings. This includes the mix of window opening sizes and styles that are extant at the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station.

• The exterior window opening surrounds that reflect the architectural style of the station.

• The diverse types of window sashes used in the different window opening sizes and styles.

Roof and Related Elements

• The overall massing and design of the station roofs that reflect that Duluth-type station design and the architectural style. Including the north-south oriented clipped-gable roof of the Main Block; the east-west orientation of the Tower connector roof and how it is joined to the clipped-gable roof; the north-south oriented shallow-gable roof of the Boat Room; and the hip roof of the Tower with center final and flared eaves.

• The brick chimney in the center of the Main Block was original to the station and originally had stoves connected to it that were the only means of heat for the station until the heating system was installed.

• The small chimney on the west side of the Tower Watch Room, which was installed in

1926 to provide the only heat source for the Watch Room.

Materials

• The wooden shingles on the exterior walls and roofs. These elements were part of the original design and should be retained. The exterior wall shingles were originally unfinished but were painted beginning circa 1930. The recent replacement of the exterior wall singles specified that they are not to be painted in keeping with the original appearance. The wall shingles should continue to be unfinished.

• The exterior trim including extant examples of original doorway and window opening surrounds, cornice elements, raked moldings, and brackets below the cantilevered section of the Tower.

Interior Elements

Plan

• Layout of interior rooms conveys the function of the spaces for utilitarian and living uses as well as the purpose of the different sections of the station (Main Block, Boat Room, and Tower).

• The open plan of the Boat Room.

• The Tower staircase hallway and fourth-story watch room.

• The open plan concrete basement constructed in 1909 and the associated staircase from the first story and the exterior bulkhead entrance.

Floors

• Wood floors constructed with tongue-and-groove boards throughout the life-saving

• Random width tongue-and-groove board subfloor on the second story of the Main

Block and all upper stories of the Tower as ceiling material (see the subsequent section “Ceilings”).

Walls

• The rough textured plaster walls that were part of the original station and were constructed as originally specified.

• Woodwork on interior walls including wainscot, original baseboard, cornice molding, raked molding, and other trim.

• The clapboard wall in the south elevation of the Boat Room that was original to the

• The woodwork used in the construction of the Tower watch room including the wainscot, the cased corner framing, the window seat, the soffit, and the cornice molding.

Ceilings

• The high open ceilings on the first story and second story of the Main Block and the open ceilings on all four stories of the Tower. The ceilings were originally open to the exposed floor framing and subfloor boards of the upper levels. In some upper story rooms the ceilings were likewise open to the roof framing and sheathing.

• Elements associated with the open ceiling including framing, boards, and trim at the edges of the framing elements and at the cornice.

• The location of the interior doorways reflects the original plan of the station and connected the interior spaces of the three sections of the station.

• The interior doorway configurations especially doorways with transom window openings that were specified in the Duluth-type station plans.

• The doorway architraves that were constructed with molded boards and bull’s-eye corner blocks were constructed according to the Duluth-type plans and are an example of original building material.

• The interior five-panel doors are an example of the original elements specified for the

Duluth-type life-saving station.

• The location and configuration of the window openings in the station rooms.

• The different sizes and types of window openings and window sashes in relation to the function of the interior spaces.

• The interior trim of the window openings including molded boards, corner blocks, molded sills and molded sill aprons that were included in the drawings of the Duluth-type station.

Staircases and Related Elements

• The winding Tower staircase and associated elements, including newel posts, railings, balusters, stringers, and molded finials all of which were constructed according to the Duluth-type plans and specifications.

• The ladder and trap doorway from the third story of the Tower to the fourth-story watch room.

Utilities

• The radiators installed throughout the first story with decorative floral motif on the ends and the fins. Most appear to date from the installation of the hot water heating system in 1929 and are in the original locations; some were removed or relocated.

• Evidence of historic wiring and early electrical service to the building.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Introduction

The following general recommendations are meant to guide the preservation and rehabilitation of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. The 1990 GMP Amendment for Gateway NRA discussed relocating the Sandy Hook Visitor Center from the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station to Fort Hancock. That plan allows for the retention of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station as an orientation center and museum concentrating on the U.S.

Life-Saving Service.70 The treatment plan for the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is rehabilitation according to The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, which mandates the overall preservation of the station and will include the restoration of some historic elements. Future exhibit plans and interpretation plans will impact the use and rehabilitation of the building. The rehabilitation of the life-saving station will permit the continued use of the station as a museum and the retention of modern facilities while allowing for a more in depth interpretation of the building as a U.S. Life-Saving Station.

The rehabilitation of the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station should conform to local fire codes for public buildings. This may include the installation of fire suppression systems, which should be installed in a manner that does not damage historic building materials.

Exterior Elements

• The exterior elements identified as character-defining features in the previous section should be retained and preserved. In most cases the elements identified as CDFs were original to the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. They all help define the structure and contribute to its historic integrity. Though the building envelope is sound and in good condition, it was noted that the paint finishes on the exterior elements are deteriorated. In order to better preserve those elements they should be properly prepared and painted. In general all exterior materials should be routinely maintained to avoid deterioration. The preservation of historic materials may require repair or replacement, which should be performed with in kind materials.

• The 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station is significant as an example of the

Duluth-type life-saving station designed by George R. Tolman. That significance is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Landmark.

The rehabilitation of the station should not alter the original design, massing or orientation and should retain extant historic elements and strive to preserve the CDFs. When feasible the rehabilitation should include the restoration of certain features that are documented in historic photographs, plans, and this report.

70 General Management Plan Amendment. (Department of the Interior, NPS, Jan. 1990) p. 19.

• The Front and Back Porches are CDFs. The Front Porch was recently restored but the Back Porch remains enclosed. The Back Porch retains original elements and should be restored to an open porch based on the extant original elements and historic documentation. It was noted that the edges of the Back Porch floor boards are deteriorated. The boards should be repaired or replaced as necessary.

• To a large extent the existing window openings at the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving

Station retain historic elements and should be maintained and preserved. Some of the window opening elements are deteriorated and should be repaired in kind. In some cases the window sashes have been replaced with sashes that don’t match the original elements. The rehabilitation of the window openings should include the replacement of non-historic sashes with sashes that replicate the appearance of the original sashes, including restoration glass. Certain window openings were altered after the US. Life- Saving Service period, which is the proposed period of interpretation. If feasible, using historic documentation the original window openings that are not extant should be restored. These include the first-story south elevation window opening for the Storm-Clothes Room (currently W104 & W105); the north elevation half-round window opening with fanlight sash in the Boat Room (W213); and the west elevation Boat Room window openings (W111 & W112). Previous research indicated that the existing sashes in W111 and W112 may have been moved from W102 and W103.

When W111 and W112 are replaced the current sashes should be moved to W102 and W103 to replace those reproduction sashes with historic sashes.

• The existing exterior storm windows are in varying stages of disrepair. If feasible, consideration should be given to removing the storm windows and replacing them with demountable storm windows that are removed seasonally. This would allow for greater visitor appreciation of the station in its historic condition.

• It is recommended that the Park consider the removal of the south elevation exterior staircase from second floor, when feasible. The stair creates conditions of deterioration for the historic window openings below it, has altered a highly visible character defining elevation, and its existence creates path systems at the site that are at odds with the historic circulation. The Park should determine whether the staircase is necessary from a code perspective and decide the course of action based on that information.

Interior Elements

• The interior elements identified as character-defining features in the previous section should be retained and preserved. The historic elements help define the structure and contribute to its historic integrity. Work that would affect these elements should be carefully thought out and should be planned to have minimal impact on the historic materials. All interior elements should be routinely maintained to avoid deterioration. The preservation of historic elements may require repair or replacement, which should be performed with in kind materials.

• It is recommended that the Park review the existing environmental controls and consider the feasibility of rehabilitating those systems. The current collection of ad hoc heaters, fans, and window-mounted air conditioning units do not sufficiently address the needs of the building and detract from the historic appearance of the life-saving station. In addition the air conditioning units create conditions of deterioration at the window openings. Since air conditioning will likely be an important aspect of visitor comfort, the Park should consider a forced air delivery system but will need to address concealing forced air ducts, equipment placement options, and other questions of sustainability and energy efficiency. It is recommended that these issues be included in the future planning for the Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station.

Plan

• Original rooms of the interior plan in all sections and on all stories of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station should be retained and preserved. In addition the open basement and basement staircase constructed in 1909 should be preserved.

The partition wall that separated the Storm Clothes Room from the Mess Room was previously removed; that partition should be restored to enhance the interpretation of the U.S. Life-Saving service at Spermaceti Cove. Future rehabilitation of the interior spaces should not include the construction of any walls that would partition these rooms or affect the original plan of the interior. The installation of interpretive materials in the station should be done in a manner that preserves the original plan and does not divide original spaces.

Floors

• The wood floors through out the station should be retained and preserved.

Documentation indicated that the wood floors were originally exposed and oiled.

The first-story floors are currently carpeted. The carpeting may be necessary for safety reasons and in high-traffic areas. However where feasible, the existing carpet should be removed to reveal the wood floors and the floors rehabilitated. In rooms where varied use conditions exist, installation of carpet runners in foot traffic routes should be considered, leaving the balance of the wood floor in its original condition.

Walls

• Extant examples of the original interior walls, including the rough textured plaster, wainscot, and the woodwork in the watch room should be retained and preserved.

Any repairs or replacement of the historic wall materials should be done in kind.

• A large portion of the wall surfaces in the building are currently covered with gypsum board. These walls have a smooth finish that is not in keeping with the textured plaster finish of the original plaster walls. In addition historic wainscot has been removed in several rooms. If the exhibit plan allows and it is feasible, historic woodwork and textured plaster wall materials that were removed should be restored based on extant examples. The original plaster walls were constructed with wood lath and plaster and should be replaced in kind if feasible. However the replication of the plaster walls could be achieved with gypsum board and a skim coat veneer of textured plaster that resembles the historic finish. The restoration of the wall materials should meet fire code requirements.

• The interior clapboards on the south wall of the Boat Room are original to the station and should be retained and preserved. Especially the extant examples of these boards in their original unfinished state that are intact above the present Boat Room ceiling.

Any repairs to these walls should be done with in kind materials.

• In general the existing wall materials on the first story of the station appear to be in good condition. However, some of the wall materials on the second-story of the Main Block and the upper stories of the Tower are in poor condition. In many cases the gypsum board walls and plaster skim coats are cracking and exhibit signs of mold and mildew. At the third-story of the Tower some of the extant original plaster walls are deteriorated and need to be repaired. In general the extant woodwork appears to be sound. The paint finishes are generally degraded on the plaster and woodwork and many surfaces should be properly prepared and painted. Repair or replacement of historic materials should be done with in kind materials.

Ceilings

• Extant examples of the original open ceilings composed of exposed framing and subfloor or roof sheathing should be retained and preserved. Many of the open ceilings on the first-story of the Main Block and all stories of the Tower have been covered. Since the ceilings are currently covered, the condition of the original ceilings is not known. However the original elements were part of the structure of the station and should be extant. If feasible, these ceilings should be opened up and restored to their original configuration.

• The extant historic interior doorways and doorway elements should be retained and preserved. Currently several of the original transom window openings are partially covered or completely concealed. If feasible the transom window openings and sashes should be restored. Also doorway elements that have been altered with non-historic elements should be restored with materials that replicate the original elements based on extant examples and historic documents. Any repairs to the historic element of the doorways should be performed with in kind materials.

• As identified in the previous section, the various sizes and types of window openings and the associated elements, including sashes, muntin profiles and casing profiles are considered CDFs of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. As with the exterior trim, the extant historic interior trim elements should be retained and preserved. The restoration of the historic sashes should include the replication of original muntin profiles based on extant examples and historic documents. If feasible, historic window opening materials that are not extant should be restored based on extant examples and historic documents. Repair or replacement of historic materials should be done with in kind materials.

• It is recommended that the Park review the existing window treatments/light control

(blinds) as part of the future exhibit plan. Light control is needed both for comfort and to protect museum objects on display. However, future plans should consider period compatible treatments that could enhance the quality of interior spaces.

Staircases and Related Elements

• The Tower staircase retains its original configuration and elements that should be preserved. With exception of the wainscot along the staircase walls, the staircase elements were historically unfinished and treated with oil. If feasible, the rehabilitation of the station should include the restoration of the natural finishes of the staircase elements.

Accessibility

Compliance with ADA accessibility requirements should be part of the rehabilitation of the 1894 Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station. The following recommendations should guide the placement of ADA accessible facilities.

• The first story of the station was equipped with an ADA compliant entrance in 2004 and should remain accessible. Also landscape features including the existing boardwalks and concrete walkways should be maintained to provide a stable surface from the parking lot to the station.

• Compliance with ADA accessibility requires the installation of a handicapped accessible restroom. It would be most desirable for the Park to construct a separate restroom facility in an area that is easily accessible from the visitor parking area and the life-saving station. This alternative would reduce the impact on the life-saving station. Future Park planning should consider the construction of such an accessible restroom facility.

• If it is determined that accessible restrooms should be installed in the life-saving station, the construction of the restrooms should be accomplished with the least amount of alterations to historic elements as possible. The existing Women’s Restroom could be reconfigured into a unisex accessible restroom. It appears to be large enough to accommodate accessible utilities with minimal alterations. The existing toilets and sinks will need to be replaced with accessible utilities that are placed in the proper locations to allow access. It maybe necessary to widen the doorway but based on the measurements the existing doorway may meet the ADA requirements. If the construction of ADA compliant bathrooms requires alterations to the doorways, the doorways and doorway elements should be constructed to replicate the appearance of the historic elements.

• Additional interpretive panels that describe the second story of the Main Block and the upper levels of the Tower should be installed at the first story.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Adlerstein, Michael, Kay Roush, David Turello et al, General Management Plan, Gateway National Recreation Area, New York / New Jersey. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Aug. 1979.

Albee, Peggy Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, Historic Structure Report, Provincetown, Massachusetts, Cape Cod National Seashore, S. Wellfleet, MA. (Boston, MA: NPS, NAR, CRC, BCB, June 1988).

Bearss, Edwin C. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station Historic Resources Study and Historic Structure Report. Denver: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, January 1983.

Dalton, J.W. The Life Savers of Cape Cod. Boston, MA: The Barta Press, 1902; reprinted by The Chatham Press, Old Greenwich, CT.

General Management Plan Amendment: Development Concept Plan and Interpretation Prospectus: Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway National Recreation Area, New York/New Jersey. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, January 1990.

Greenwood, Richard E. National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form, “Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District,” June 28, 1976, revised November 9, 1982.

Harris, Cyril M. American Architecture an Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York: W.W.

Norton & Company, Inc., 1998.

Hoffman, Thomas. Sandy Hook’s Lifesavers. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Gateway NRA, Sandy Hook Unit.

Herrala, Cory, edited by Thomas J. Hoffman. Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station, Historic Landscape Report, 1848 – 1974. Unpublished draft copy, Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway NRA, August 2004.

Noble, Dennis L. That Others Might Live: The U.S. Life-Saving Service, 1878-1915. Annapolis:

MD, Naval Institute Press, 1994.

Shanks, Ralph, Wick York and Lisa Woo Shanks, The U.S. Life-Saving Service, Heros, Rescues and Architecture of the Early Coast Guard. Petaluma, CA: Costaño Books, 1996.

Torres-Reyes, Richardo & Jonathan Fricker, National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form, “Fort Hancock Life-Saving Station/ The Spermaceti Cove No. 2 Life-Saving Station,” April 1975, updated March 1980.

Weeks, Kay D. and Anne E. Grimmer. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings. Washington, D.C.: U.S.

Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1995.

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A

Duluth-type Life-Saving Station George R. Tolman, 189371

71 Plans for the Duluth-type life-saving station were copied from mylar prints in the HAP collection, Lowell, MA. This particular set of plans was used for the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station but they are considered to be the general plans for the station type, which were altered to specific site requirements. The hand written elevation orientations were for the Old Harbor station not Spermaceti Cove.