Paul Laurence Dunbar Exterior Restoration

Updates:

Work is underway at the Dunbar House! About 75% of the house have been repointed (replacement of the mortar) and failing brick has been replaced with salvaged historic brick from a local demolished building. The contractors, site staff, and curators have been working hard to protect the collections in the building and minimizing dust.

Project Scope:

In 2022, Senator Sherrod Brown secured a Saving America's Treasures Grant through the NPS for the Paul Laurence Dunbar House. This $350,000 grant and the matching funds from the State of Ohio will allow Ohio History Connection to make several improvements to the Paul Laurence Dunbar House and Visitor's Center. Originally bid in 2024, the project was delayed as the drawings underwent extensive review with the NPS and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), but is now set to begin this July. Work will be completed by Quality Masonry Co of Marion Ohio and will include the original base bid and all nine alternates:

Base Bid: Dunbar House masonry repair and repointing

Alternate One: Dunbar House foundation repair and repointing

Alternate Two: Dunbar House wood restoration and painting

Alternate Three: Site Drainage Improvement

Alternate Four: Dunbar House kitchen roof

Alternate Five: Visitor Center wood restoration and painting

Alternate Six: Barn Roof

Alternate Seven: Replace Gutters and Downspouts

Alternate Eight: Flashing and Chimney repair

Alternate Nine: Plaster Repair