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Houseparts Hospital #1: Conservation of Historic Builder’s Hardware

  • MakeHaven, 770 Chapel Street, New Haven MakeHaven, 770 Chapel Street New Haven, CT, 06510 United States (map)

Join New Haven Preservation Trust and MakeHaven for the Houseparts Hospital, a recurring program series helping New Haven residents learn how to restore historic building materials. This first session will feature builder’s hardware including door knobs, hinges, latches, mail slots, and lock sets within historic homes. NHPT board member Oliver Gaffney will showcase physical samples made by Sargent, P&F Corbin, Lockwood, and other prominent manufacturers and discuss strategies for bringing them back into good repair using the tools available at MakeHaven. 

Attendees of the session will:

  • Learn how to identify the age and manufacturer of builder’s hardware based on elements of style

  • Gain familiarity with major Connecticut hardware firms and their contributions to American decorative arts

  •  Understand common hardware finishes and tips for identification

  • Review common terminology for hardware pieces and parts

  • Discover strategies for cleaning, repairing, and polishing hardware

There will be time at the end of the presentation for Q&A. Please feel free to bring any questions (or physical hardware) for discussion! Due to limited seating availability, pre-registration is required (no walk-ins). In the event that you register and are unable to attend this session, please kindly notify administration@nhpt.org as soon as possible so that we can give your spot to somebody else.

Free and open to the public; reservations are required. 

See slides from the presentation →

 

Co-sponsored with MakeHaven.