Webb Deane Stevens Museum receives federal grant for historic roof restoration project

The Webb Deane Stevens Museum has been awarded a Semiquincentennial grant of $223,138 from the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, to support the complete restoration of the Isaac Stevens House roof. This critical preservation project will protect one of Connecticut’s most significant examples of post-Revolutionary domestic architecture as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026.

Project Overview

The Isaac Stevens House Roof Replacement project involves the comprehensive restoration of the cedar shake roof and associated masonry on the historic 1789 Isaac Stevens House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 30-year-old roof has deteriorated beyond serviceable use, creating urgent threats to the building’s structural integrity, irreplaceable interior finishes, and historic collections.

Built in 1789, the Stevens House is a prime surviving example of a center-hall, Federal-style house in the Connecticut River Valley. The house retains a large number of Stevens family furnishings that assist visitors in understanding this social and economic transformation of the nation. The house and collection speak to the aspirations and achievements of the upwardly mobile and self-determining “middling class” of patriots who helped build the new Republic’s economic foundation. This project will replace the existing shake roof in-kind thereby eliminating water infiltration, stabilizing internal environmental conditions, and preserving the house and collections inside for generations to come.

Historical Significance

The Webb Deane Stevens Museum has been owned and operated for more than a century by the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Connecticut, beginning with their restoration of the Joseph Webb House in 1919 and their acquisition of the neighboring Isaac Stevens and Silas Deane Houses in the 1950s.

Scope of Work

The restoration project will include:

Complete replacement of deteriorated cedar shake roofing with historically appropriate materials
Chimney masonry repairs and repointing
Installation of new copper flashing and protective membranes
Restoration of copper gutters and downspouts
Installation of new low-profile chimney caps

All work will be performed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation, using traditional materials and techniques that respect the building’s historic character.

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Project Timeline and Impact

Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026 and conclude by October 2026. The project will eliminate water infiltration that currently threatens the house’s exceptional collection of original Stevens family furnishings, many of which have remained in place for nearly 230 years.

“As we approach America’s semiquincentennial, this preservation project ensures that future generations will continue to experience a tangible connection to the formative years of our nation,” said Executive Director Brenton Grom. “The Stevens House offers perspective on how Revolutionary ideals of liberty and equal opportunity manifested themselves in everyday American life during the crucial early years of the Republic. We’re grateful to the Historic Preservation Fund and the National Park Service for recognizing its importance and safeguarding its future.”

The Isaac Stevens House Roof Replacement project is supported in part by a Semiquincentennial grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

The Semiquincentennial Grant Program supports the preservation of cultural resources associated with the founding of America as a nation in commemoration of the country’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The program prioritizes projects involving buildings, structures, sites, and objects significant for their association with people, places, or events from the earliest known resources through 1815.

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Webb Deane Stevens Museum receives federal grant for historic roof restoration project