Douglas Danks
Associates
Van Horne Residence - Historic Gothic Revival Restoration
Stillwater, MN
The original Gothic Revival home was built on Stillwater's historic South Hill by John Whiteside in 1876. The home was maintained as a single family residence from the time it was built until the 1970's. During the 70's the home was converted to a duplex, with upstairs and downstairs living units.
Rick and Suzanne Van Horne purchased the duplex in 2009 and undertook the painstaking work to restore the structure back to its original condition as a single family home. The work also included the construction of a Main Level addition at the south end of the structure containing a new Mudroom Entry and Master Suite, along with the construction of new porches at the front of the home and along its west facade.
Much of the home's original brick exterior and characteristic Gothic Revival architectural details, including the verge board gable trim, exterior mouldings and lancet top windows, were intact, but required careful restoration and preservation efforts to repair the damage weathering had caused over the years, as well as make certain these unique features of the original home would survive the harsh climate for many years to come. In addition, new energy-efficient insulated glazing windows that accurately replicated the appearance of the original windows were custom fabricated and installed. The home's electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems were completely modernized, while at the same time maintaining the authentic historic appearance of the original construction.
John Whiteside was one of the preeminent plasterers in Stillwater in the late 19th century. When the suspended drywall ceilings and wood paneling that were installed on the Main Level during the conversion of the structure to a duplex were removed, much of the original horse hair plaster wall surfaces, wet plaster mouldings and decorative ceiling medallions were discovered largely intact. A plaster artisan was brought in to restore the plaster surfaces and repair areas of damaged mouldings and medallions, as well as recreate the profile and appearance of the wet plaster mouldings and medallions in areas where the original plaster work had been lost.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MATT SCHMITT PHOTOGRAPHY
DUPLEX BEFORE RESTORATION
RESTORED HOME WITH ADDITION