Campus Improvement

Tate House Museum campus improvements began in 2005 with research of existing environmental conditions and by addressing the restoration priorities at Tate House, completed in 2016. The Means House restoration is the last major phase of the exterior capital improvements outlined in the 2014 CAP Report. Completion is expected in 2021.

Current campus improvements address the restoration of James Means House (built 1797), the Museum’s headquarters. A new cedar roof, masonry assessments, energy upgrades, and exterior painting and repairs will help increase the Museum’s sustainability and improve its historical accuracy within the Stroudwater Historic District, Portland’s finest colonial and federal neighborhood.

With the completion in 2016 of Tate House drainage and other exterior improvements, efforts now focus on implementing CAP recommendations to secure the Means House building envelope, increase building stability, and improve energy efficiency and historical accuracy. The preservation of these historic structures contributes to the continued success of the Tate House Museum. The Means restoration addresses exterior roofing, masonry repairs, painting, and a heating upgrade.

Les Fossel’s Restoration Resources has re-roofed the Means House with historically accurate yellow cedar shakes, having removed worn and inappropriate asphalt shingles. A new crown molding and crickets around the four chimneys will help secure the building envelope.

Building Conservation Associates have conducted a scientific paint analysis to determine the historic exterior color. Clarke Painting has completed the exterior painting (clapboards, trim, doors, and frames for 33 windows), including carpentry repairs, where needed; windows sashes repaired and repainted.

Tate House Museum Campus
Improvement Project:

Phase 1: Roof upgrade and replacement started in 2018 and was completed in 2019.

Phase 2: Exterior paint analysis, painting clapboards, trim, doors and windows, carpentry repairs, completed in 2019 with Davis Family Foundation support.

Phase 3: Install new gas-fired boiler, ductwork, and venting, completed by 2019.

Phase 4: Richard Irons Restoration Mason to rebuild the four brick chimneys from the roofline, retaining their original size and configuration completed by 2021.

HOUSE DRAINAGE, SITE, CLIMATE IMPROVEMENTS 2014-2016

are made possible thanks to the generous support of:
The Davis Family Foundation
National Park Service and Maine Historic Preservation Commission
Belvedere Fund Historic Preservation Grants Program of the
Maine Community Foundation in cooperation with the
Maine TATE Historic Preservation Commission
National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Maine
Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust
David W. Bradley Preservation Fund of Tate House Museum
Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust
The P. W. Sprague Memorial Foundation & an Anonymous Donor

A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK,
THE GEORGE TATE HOUSE WAS BUILT IN 1755.

Contact

Address

Tate House Museum
1267 Westbrook Street
Portland, Maine 04102