Margaret Morse House, Oak Park
This was a small project for me this fall, as I just consulted with the homeowner and advised mason Harry Thompson. Harry did excellent work rebuilding the limestone front steps of the house and part of the walk leading up to it. The old masonry was in pretty bad shape, much of it caused by earlier repairs that used improper materials - such as concrete patches and Portland cement mortars. Harry did the new work with historically appropriate lime-cement mortar and torpedo sand. With a few years of aging, the new work will blend-in nicely with the old.
This 1926 design is an excellent example of John Van Bergen's mature style. I am hoping one day in the future that this house will be restored to its original colors and cedar shingle roof.
Copyright © 2002 Martin Hackl