GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS Alfred Reagan House and Tub Mill Historic Structures Report

A. Record Drawings of Existing Conditions

See Appendix

B. Photographs of Existing Conditions

See Appendix

C. Description of Fabric and Existing Conditions

1. House

Foundation - Stone piers laid dry. No extensive settlement evident.

Exterior Walls - All first-floor walls are constructed of hewn logs. The exterior of the front wall is covered with flush vertical boards (1" ± x 3/4" - 7-1/4") without battens. The two end walls to the plate line and the rear wall are covered with vertical boards (1" ± x 7" - 10") and battens (1" ± x 2-1/2" ±). The gables are constructed of sawn studs and lap siding, 4" ±, to weather. There is considerable rot in the lower ends of the vertical siding and battens. The lap siding of the gables appears to be in better condition but needs renailing and some replacement.

Porch - The floor is supported on a sawn ledger and two stringers. Five peeled log posts support the porch roof which is framed with sawn timbers. The original roof has been replaced with modern sheathing and roll roofing. Weather conditions at the time of the inspection did not permit checking the porch floor framing but it should be assumed that there is some rot or termite infection in the stringers. The porch flooring, although reasonably sound will withstand heavy traffic. The log posts installed by the Park Service are in good condition. The porch roof beam, ceiling joist, rafters and fascia are in bad condition from rot. The modern sheathing and roll roofing installed by the Park Service is in good condition and is protecting the original remains. The porch ceiling is in bad condition due to vandals as much as to age.

Roof - The sawn 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 framing seems to be in good condition. The original wood shingle roof has been replaced with wood sheathing and roll roofing which is in good condition. The fascia is generally loose and portions are infected with rot.

Exterior doors - A five panel door opens from the porch into each first-floor room. The door frames have no trim. A framed opening from the rear passage formerly provided access to the kitchen wing. This opening does not now, and perhaps never did, have a door. The doors are sound from the stand point of rot, but all the mortis and tenon joints have opened and must be refastened.

Windows - First-floor windows are double-hung with a fixed top sash. All sash are missing and the frames and casings are badly deteriorated.

Exterior Paint - Faded evidence of white, yellow and blue paint remains. It is claimed that the paint used was purchased from Sears-Roebuck.

Chimney and Fireplaces - The fieldstone chimney is laid with mud mortar. Both fireplaces originally had mantels although the living room mantel is missing. There is no serious cracking in the chimney to indicate foundation failure. The chimney, fireplaces and hearths need repointing and repair.

First-Floor Framing and Flooring - The sills and first-floor joist were not inspected. The random widths of flooring throughout the first floor is very worn and weak. There is some rot or termite infestation in the floor.

First-Floor Interior Walls and Partitions - The first-floor walls and partitions are finished with vertical board paneling, some of which is missing. A number of the boards are infected with rot. The wood baseboard is in place except for the south wall of the living room.

Stairs - Access to the attic is by a stairway from the porch in the space created by the chimney between the two first-floor rooms. The stringers and risers are sound, but the treads are well worn.

Attic - The floor joists are in good condition. Much of the flooring is missing. The remaining boards are well preserved and not badly worn. The walls and ceiling are unfinished, exposing the framing members.

Kitchen Wing - This addition to the original building as shown by the HABS drawings, dated 1957, has since been razed.

2. Tub Mill

Foundation - The front sill rests on loose stones. The rear of the building is carried on peeled log posts or underpinnings, which are undoubtedly replacements of the original timbers. There is rot in the lower ends of the posts.

Exterior Walls - Random size studs irregularly spaced with 6 x 6 ± corner post. The exterior is covered with lap siding varying in width from 4-3/8" to 6-1/2" laid 4-1/2" to 6" to weather. The corner boards, one of which is missing, measure approximately 1-1/4" x 3-1/4". The sills and wall framing are in very bad condition. About 25% of the siding is missing and most of the remaining is not infected.

Roof - The present roof was installed by the Park Service when the original wood shingle deteriorated to a point that it no longer protected the structure.

Door and Window - A 2' - 4" ± 5' - 6" ± board and batten door is located in the west or front wall and the only window, 1' - 7-1/2" ± x 1' - 9-1/2" ±, is in the south or right side. Neither of these openings are trimmed. The door and frame are in fair condition. The window sill is missing and the jambs and head are very rotten. There is no evidence that a sash was ever installed in the opening.

Interior - The structural members supporting the floor are very weak. The flooring is very badly worn. There is no interior wall finish or ceiling in the building.

Gristmill Machinery - Very little of the mill machinery is in place. It is understood that parts of the machinery were removed and placed in storage pending restoration.

D. Architectural Description of Restoration (See Restoration Drawings, Appendix)

1. House

Foundation - Install concrete footing under piers and rebuild piers with cement mortar colored to match original mud mortar.

Exterior Walls - Replace all rot infected siding boards and battens. Renail loose boards and battens.

Porch - Inspect floor framing and replace all timbers infected with termites and rot. Replace flooring. Remove log posts and install sawn posts. Replace porch roof beam, ceiling joist, rafters and fascia. Remove modern sheathing and roll roofing and replace with wood shingles and shingle laths.

Roof - Inspect roof framing for rot and replace all unsound timbers. Repair and renail fascia at eaves and rake. Replace modern roof sheathing and roll roofing with wood shingles and shingle laths. Install new flashing at chimney.

Exterior Doors - Repair existing doors. Repair existing hardware. Replace any missing hardware with items of the historic period and type.

Windows - Repair or replace frames. Install sash of the historic period. Install necessary hardware of the historic period.

Chimney and Fireplaces - Inspect foundation and reinforce as needed. Repoint with mud mortar where protected from the weather. Repoint with cement mortar where exposed to weathering. Cement mortar to be colored to match mud mortar. Rebuild fireplaces and hearths. Repair mantel in bedroom and replace mantel in living room.

First-Floor Framing and Flooring - Inspect floor framing and replace sills and joist infected with termites or rot. Remove existing flooring and install plywood subfloor. Reinstall all sound existing flooring. Replace flooring with material salvaged from local structures of the historic period.

First-Floor Interior Walls and Partitions - Replace any interior board paneling seriously affected with termites or rot. Renail loose boards. Replace missing base in living room.

Stairs - Inspect and replace unsafe stair stringers. Replace unsafe treads.

Attic - Position and fasten existing flooring. Provide and install additional flooring to complete the attic.

Kitchen Wing - Reconstruct the kitchen wing.

Painting - All portions of the building showing evidence of being painted originally shall be prepared in a workmanlike manner and two coats of oil paint applied. Color selection shall be made from interpretation of existing examples.

Preservative Treatment - All exposed unpainted wood shall be given a preservative treatment in accordance with the manufacturers instructions for the product used.

Termite Treatment - The soil under and for two feet outside the perimeter of the structure shall be given termite treatment in accordance with the manufacturers instructions for the product used.

2. Tub Mill

Foundation - Install concrete footings under stone piers and log posts. Replace any rot or termite infected post and bracing.

Exterior Walls - Replace sills, corner posts, studs, plates and bracing. Reuse existing timbers where practical. Replace rotted siding. Salvage existing siding for reuse where practical. Replacement lumber shall match the existing members in size, material and tool marks. Replace rotted and missing corner boards.

Roof - Remove modern roof and framing. Rebuild using timbers matching the original in size, material and tool marks. Install wood shingles and shingle laths.

Door and Window - Repair door and frame. Reconstruct window frame.

Interior - Replace floor framing and flooring. Replacement timbers shall match the original in regard to size and tool marks. Replace machinery supporting structure.

Preservative Treatment - All existing and new wood shall be given a preservative treatment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for the product used.

Termite Treatment - The soil under and for two feet outside the perimeter of the structure shall be given termite treatment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for the product used.

Gristmill Machinery - Inspect the parts of the machinery now in storage. Reconstruct damaged and missing parts to make operational.

Dam and Flume - Reconstruct dam and flume.

E. Additional Work Required to Complete Architectural Research and Investigation

1. House

No additional research or investigation will be required for the Reagan House.

2. Tub Mill

Additional research and investigation will be required for the reconstruction of the dam and flume for the mill. Inspection and study of the parts of the mill machinery in the possession of the Park Service must be made before working drawings can be prepared for this phase of the restoration.