Deep work … on our deck

Sept. 20, 2024 | Jen Newman, Executive Director

Dear friends,

The wind is beginning to carry the crisp cool of fall — and the construction on our rear ell roof and decking is making significant progress!

It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me directly, and I am so eager to share our progress with you.

As of last week, we are solidly mid-way through the project. Our construction firm, M.F. Reynolds, has been working to make our deck water-tight and structurally sound. They have been sistering the rafters (installing a new board next to the older, damaged one), creating the structural supports needed for the deck, and fixing the masonry and the window lintels. The old rafters were severely deteriorated, which you can easily see in the photo above.

You can view our slide deck with photos of our whole deck process to-date here.

Things look very different around here these days. Our dining room is now a makeshift kitchen “Kitchen B,” the entire rear ell of our building is closed off at the dish pantry and butler’s pantry, and three feet of the parlor, a resident room on the first floor, and the back office are sealed off for construction.

Though we’re working with tight quarters during the renovation, we fully understand its significance as we witness the progress M.F. Reynolds is making. Their work reveals the true state of our building beneath the surface, and by addressing these deeper structural needs, we’re ensuring that BHFH is structurally sound for decades to come.

We are continually grateful to the Boston Community Preservation Act, which has provided us with $500,000 for this project. We are also incredibly grateful to the donations and bequests and other support BHFH has received over the last few years, which have made it possible for us to fund the remainder of this project.