Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 6, Issue 11, November 2002

Copyright 2002 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article and photos below in your research. Be sure to quote the Seattle Sun as your source.

Historic home repair lecture series in Ballard

By LEAH WEATHERSBY

The Ballard Historical Society and Sunset Hill Community Association will host a series of weekly talks to help homeowners learn to identify and renovate historic homes.

The fourth annual Old House Lecture Series kicks off on Wednesday, Oct. 30, with a presentation from Ballard resident Caroline Swope titled, "Identifying the Period and Architecture of your House."

The talk, which begins at 7 p.m., will be held at the Sunset Hill Community Association building at 3001 NW 66th St. There is no cost to attend. The series will continue with talks on Nov. 6, 13 and 20.

Swope, an instructor of art and architectural history at Seattle Central Community College as well as a graduate student in architectural history at the University of Washington, will discuss the four major styles of residential architecture in Seattle between 1880 and 1930: Victorian, Craftsman, Tudor and Four Square. After 1930 residential design stagnated a bit due to the Great Depression and World War II.

Swope acknowledges that historic homes need updating to stay livable, but she also hopes that educating homeowners will keep them from unnecessarily marring a great old house. Some things she discourages: drop ceilings, vinyl or aluminum siding and ripping out original woodwork.

Black and white historic photos can make the past look drab, but Swope notes that the original color interior colors of old homes was often vivid.

"It's much brighter than one would expect and not nearly as many choices as we have now," Swope said. She added that she can identify the original colors of some houses dating back to 1911.

On Nov. 6, Mike Blubaugh, owner of Arvid's Historic Woods in Everett, will give a presentation titled "Traditional Millwork." His talk will cover wainscotting, fire place mantels, crown molding and trim for doors and windows.

On Nov. 13, Magnolia-based house painter and licensed therapist Bob Holmstrom will discuss "Painting the Exterior of Your House."

The series will conclude on Nov. 20 with Ballard contractor John McGirr's talk on "Wall and Ceiling Repair."

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For details about the 2002 Old House Lecture Series, call 706-9236.