Construction workers raise roof on Barrington White House

Extensive renovations on Barringtons White House began last month, and crews are now preparing for one of the most dramatic construction phases: replacing the roof on the 19th-century mansion on Main Street.

Its going to be pretty dramatic next week, project coordinator Beth Raseman said.

Raseman said work will begin next week as crews prepare to remove the entire roof, waterproof the third floor and remove the walls, which will open the third floor and allow for the 150-seat banquet hall that is planned for the finished project. The new roof also will allow for more headroom on the third floor.

Raseman said a steel support system will be added for the roof, which will have the same dimensions and scope as the existing roof. Fire-resistant cedar siding, new windows and a new chimney will also be built.

Once work on the roof is completed and the weather turns cooler, Raseman said extensive interior renovations will begin including installation of new windows and floors, restoration of existing windows and floors, drywall installation and mechanical and plumbing work.

Since breaking ground on the project July 22, Raseman said construction crews started by removing trees and shrubs and, more recently, have been waterproofing the foundation by installing a water barrier around the house.

Raseman said work on the foundation has unearthed some interesting finds, including a 12-foot cistern.

Unfortunately, we had to fill it in because it was too close to the foundation, she said.

Raseman said other unexpected finds included a slightly charred geography book from the 1850s, newspapers from the 1950s and a variety of old door knobs.

Also as part of the foundation work, Raseman said the basement is being excavated and new drain tiles and a new floor are being installed.

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Construction workers raise roof on Barrington White House