Retrospective Plan for Restoration of the Cottage 1936 Restoration The Van Zandt Cottage was first restored in 1936 by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the United Daughters of the Confederacy as a project for the Texas Centennial. The 1936 full-scale restoration included drastic alterations. Joseph R. Pelich, a local architect known for the use of Colonial Revival style, completed the interim enclosure of a central breezeway and replaced the authentically weather-beaten rough-board siding with a painted exterior of milled lumber. Shuttered windows completed the exterior, and an addition was built to accommodate a small museum-like space. The original foundation of loose rock was replaced with mortared limestone and brick. Early Management and 1996 Repairs Upon completion of the 1936 restoration, the Cottage was placed under the guardianship of the Daughters of the Confederacy and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (who withdrew their support shortly thereafter to focus on the Alamo). Ethel Nichols served as a devout caretaker of the Cottage starting in the 1950s, and in 1964 when she passed away, the Ethel Nichols - Van Zandt Cottage Foundation was founded. On August 26, 1966, the City Council approved a 20- year contract with the nonprofit Ethel N. Nichols-Van Zandt Cottage Foundation for the care, maintenance, and preservation of the Van Zandt Cottage. The City Council approved a similar 20-year contract on September 2, 1986, subject to the same conditions as the original agreement. Mr. James R. Nichols, Trustee for the Foundation, submitted a request to the Parks and Community Services Department in January of 1996, requesting the contract between the City and the Foundation be terminated. Mr. Nichols and the Foundation believed that the public would be better served if the management of the Cottage were returned to the City of Fort Worth. On February 20, 1996, the Foundation's proposal was presented to the Parks and Community Services Advisory Board and approved with stipulations that were met by the Foundation. These stipulations included the repair of the chimneys and porch, painting of the Cottage, and a complete inventory of all furnishings. Restoration - Phase 1 Upon the dissolution of the Ethel N. Nichols - Van Zandt Cottage Foundation in 1996, management of the Cottage was assumed by the staff of Log Cabin Village, a 9
division of the City of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department. On November 21, 2000, the Parks and Community Services Advisory Board endorsed the Master Plan for the Van Zandt Cottage, including construction of an office with a separate climate/humidity-controlled storage area for artifacts and a handicapped accessible restroom; accessible flagstone walkways and parking lot; removal of post- 1936 restroom; and total restoration of the mid-1800s era cottage. The construction of the climate and humidity controlled storage area and handicap accessible restroom, walkway and parking area was completed in May 2002. Restoration - Phase II The removal of the post-193 6 bathroom addition from the rear of the Cottage was completed in February 2003. This prevented further deterioration of the Cottage and allowed easier access to the cellar. Restoration - Phase III Storage shelving was ordered, delivered and assembled in April 2003. Staff completed the boxing and storage of small artifacts and placed them in the new storage facility. This phase allowed work to commence on the Cottage itself without causing damage to the artifacts stored inside. Restoration - Phase IV In April 2004, the Van Zandt Cottage exterior was cleaned and painted, chimneys and shutters were repaired, and a rear porch with stairs was constructed at the back door where the bathroom had been removed. With funding from the Van Zandt Cottage Trust Fund, established by donations from the dissolved Ethel N. Nichols -Van Zandt Cottage Foundation and continuing individual contributions, the Restoration Plan was commissioned from Arthur Weinman Architects. The plan, completed on March 7, 2005, resulted in a comprehensive internal and external examination of the condition and history of the home that included a history and overview of construction; foundation, floor structure and flooring; chimneys and fireplaces; exterior walls and structure; interior walls and partitions; ceiling and ceiling structure; doors, frames, trim and hardware; windows and shutters; roof and roof structure; lighting and electrical; and heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Restoration - Phase V Matching a $25,000 Neighborhood Park Development Grant from the City of Fort Worth in 2006, The Van Zandt Cottage Friends, Inc., contributed $25,000 to restore the foundation and under-house framing in 2007. 10
During this process, the original log floor beams were uncovered and examined. They were revealed to be in the style of puncheon flooring: flattened on one side to serve as floorboards but retaining the bark on the underside. The authentic fireplace foundations were bolstered with concrete footings; this process, in turn, connected the chimney structures with foundation walls to achieve stability while preserving the original core of hand-made architecture and construction. This phase of restoration was absolutely critical to complete before pursuing any other exterior or interior repairs. In late 2011, the Friends expended funds to restore all nine windows of the historic Cottage. The restoration of these windows was an essential step in preserving not only the exterior of the Cottage but also the interior by providing secure, sealed windows. With the remainder of the funds that they donated to the City of Fort Worth for this project, the threshold to the front door was replaced, door frames reset, and damaged screen material was replaced. The rear door was made more secure by re-hanging the door to protect it from weathering. Plans for Current Restoration - Phase V Continued and Phase VI - Implementation of Historic Landscape Plan and Programming Arthur Weinman, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, who continues as architect of record for the restoration of the Cottage, has prepared the plan outlined below. Structures Cottage restoration to Texas Centennial condition Exterior o Remove lead-bearing paint (City of Fort Worth responsibility) o Replace window shutters o Restore exterior siding o Prepare and paint exterior o Close and seal gap between chimneys and siding o Replace north door to match front (south) door o Set aside reserve funds to purchase roof replacement materials (City of Fort Worth will provide labor only.) o New electrical service, concealed and underground 11
Interior restoration to Texas Centennial condition o Remove lead-bearing paint (City of Fort Worth responsibility and expense) o Restore trim and cabinetry o Prepare and paint interior wall siding and ceilings o Replace wall paper with new reproduction paper o Rewire electrical service and provide upgrades to support anticipated use o Install period lighting and specialty lighting for exhibits o Install heating and air conditioning systems o Window treatments o Refmish floors o Reinforce ceilings Fixtures, Furnishings, and Equipment o Chairs, tables and lectern for assembly of 30+ in Central Hall o Exhibit cases/wall mounted exhibits o Historic and reproduction artifacts and period furniture (existing collection) o Stanchions o Exhibit labels o Security system (City of Fort Worth responsibility and expense) Restroom and Storage Building Exterior o Improve appearance of building exterior Interior o None anticipated 12
Site Hardscape o Sidewalk, curb and gutter at Crestline to connect to BRIT, WRMC, Botanic Garden, and Cultural District o Parking, striping, and signage o Re-grade side to enhance drainage away from Cottage o Perimeter stone wall o Curb-style ramp to porch for accessibility Softscape o Grasses, native and/or adapted per landscape plan o Beds for native and adapted plantings New Features o Cottage garden, fenced with gate o Irrigation system, with Cistern (demonstration and educational feature) as primary source of water to beds and garden o Benches Deferred Maintenance o Restore split-rail fence o Clean up grounds o Prune existing trees and bushes, selective removal where appropriate Signage o Way finding o Interpretive and accessible Restoring the Cottage will reassert its pride of place as a destination for all who harbor an interest in the origins of Fort Worth. 13