The HPC runs an architectural salvage program, gathering and storing many irreplaceable materials from Hapgood or Belhall homes. These materials are available exclusively to owners of Hapgood or Belhall homes undergoing restoration or repairs.
The materials are stored in a stone building on Tower Hill Road that originally housed a water pump. The building, now called the Preservation Shed, was renovated in 2017 and repurposed for HPC. The shed is located at 33 Tower Hill Road (about 100 yards up Tower Hill Road, on the right hand side near the intersection of Laurel Hill). Access to the building to either donate or pick up material needs to be arranged in advance by emailing ryanastrup@gmail.com (cc: mlhpc.chair@gmail.com). We recommend that you come with a sample of the material (if possible), exact dimensions and quantities required, or clear photographs of what you are trying to match. A pair of gloves and a tape measure are often very useful.
The inventory changes over time but frequently includes interior doors (ladder and raised panel style), butler pivot hinged doors, main floor and upper floor windows, porch windows, screens and storms for windows, hardware and hinges, wood moldings for casing, crown, base, wainscot, picture rail, and plate rail details, and patch quantities of parquet and oak strip flooring. Some of the wood is the rare chestnut species.
The HPC relies on the generosity, care and assistance of homeowners and their contractors to salvage materials. In the unfortunate case where an historic home is demolished the HPC will typically mobilize a group to select, supervise, and provide labor to claim whatever materials we can. Donations usually need to be delivered to us but special provisions can be arranged.
When an item is found, it typically has great value to the homeowner who otherwise would be faced with a costly and time consuming effort to find a substitute. Most substitutes lack the character or quality of the original and are not practical to make in small quantities. To help offset our expenses, the HPC asks for a voluntary donation that corresponds to the value of the items that are reused.
