ABSTRACT

 

 

THE CONSERVATION OF THE CAST IRON PILASTER CAPITALS AT

WARD HALL IN GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY

 

 

The following project is an analysis of the conservation of the 26 ornamental cast iron pilaster capitals at Ward Hall.  Each pilaster capital consists of several cast iron pieces, many of which have fallen or are in various states of deterioration.  The purpose was to investigate their condition, construction and history and to create a plan for their conservation.  This is necessary both because their tremendous weight presents a serious safety hazard if they were to fall and also because their appearance is a key part of the building’s historic character.  The building serves as museum home recreating the buildings historic appearance and so the maintenance of the capitals is important.  For these reasons the history of the building as well as acceptable conservation practices of historic cast iron were considered.  The condition of all the pieces and the reasons for this condition were also investigated.  Taking into account all this information, a suitable conservation plan is then proposed.  This includes removing or minimizing the source of the deterioration, removing the remaining cast iron pieces, cleaning and repainting them, repairing or replacing their wood bases, and then remounting the pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE CONSERVATION OF THE CAST IRON PILASTER CAPITALS AT

WARD HALL IN GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY

 

A master’s project submitted in partial fulfillment of the

requirements for the degree of Master of Historic Preservation in the

College of Design

 

 

By

Allison Brown

Lexington. Kentucky

Chair: Dr. Hans Gesund, Professor of Civil Engineering

Lexington Kentucky

 

 

 

AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

This project would not have been possible without the help of several individuals, organizations, and businesses of whom I am very much appreciative. First, many thanks to my project chair Dr. Hans Gesund for his encouragement and willingness to help and share his knowledge throughout the process.  His guidance substantially improved the quality of the project.  Also, thanks to my other committee members, Michael Spencer and Clyde Carpenter, for their participation and added insights.  Thank you to David Stuart and the Ward Hall Preservation Foundation for allowing my access to Ward Hall and lending me their remaining fallen cast iron pieces for analysis.   A special thanks to Whayne- The CAT Rental Store for their generous donation of a cherry picker for use in the inspection of the pilasters.  Without the use of their machinery, the project would not have been possible.  Also many thanks to Rachelle Green and Maria Gissendanner for their help in operating the cherry picker and documenting the cast iron pieces in spite of the cold February temperatures we encountered.   Finally, thank you to Dr. Belal Gharaibeh for generously volunteering his time to join me onsite and assisting me with the microscopic analysis of the paint layers and corrosive processes.  I am very appreciative.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section I: Historical Background	1
The Wards and Ward Hall	1
Greek Revival Design	2
History of Cast Iron	5
Section II: Properties of Cast Iron	9
Corrosion and Erosion	9
General Conservation and Repair Practices	11
Section III: Pilaster Capitals at Ward Hall	15
Material Condition	17
Conservation	24
Reattachment	27
Replacement	28
Maintenance	29
Figures and Illustrations	30

Appendices

Appendix I- Damage Log
Appendix II- Damage Assessment
Appendix III- Calculations       

 

Bibliography