RESTORING CORINTH'S DUNCAN HOUSE: A continuing update on the rehabilitation of the historic (circa 1858) home at 810 Polk St., Corinth, Mississippi, which served as headquarters to several Civil War generals.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Something new has been added to the construction sign in front of the historic Duncan House – the QR code for the URL of this rehabilitation blog. [A QR code (abbreviated from “Quick Response Code”) is a machine-readable optical label containing information about the item to which it is attached.]

When tourists scan this particular matrix barcode with their smartphones, a QR reader takes them to the http://historicduncanhouse.com/ website. This High Tech feature thus provides visitors on-site, accurate, in-depth, and up-to-date information on our restoration project. What a handy addition for the interpretation of one of only four surviving Civil War structures in Corinth!

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Indeed we do! The Duncan House is now OFF the steel beams and resting on the piers and foundation that should hold it for another 160 years! So, the height off the ground you see as you drive by is the height it will remain. I think bringing the historic old home back up to its original height greatly improves its looks.

Soon, we will finish the block/brick work and will move on to yet another phase of restoration. It's an adventure, for sure!

Hopefully, we will soon be preparing a pad for the 'outbuilding' to rest on. I have hopes of placing it on its permanent site within the next couple of weeks.

Monday, September 14, 2015

It was a big day on Polk Street as we finished the first 'pier' under the Duncan House, complete with antique brick and the proper color/mix of mortar. There are probably 16-18 visible piers and should all look similar. In between the piers will be period latticework covering a dark background. I think it's going to look great! We hope to finish bricking the piers tomorrow.

By the way, you may have seen some of these bricks as you rode by the old Corinth Machinery Company. Aren't they beautiful? I understand Corinth Machinery Company was built around 1869, so they are close to matching the pre-war period…

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Many months of planning, praying, moving dirt, waiting on permissions, waiting on the rain to stop, cussin', moving the house, etc., etc., is now behind us, and we think a new phase is beginning.

As you can see, the blocks, special mortar mix(es) and sand are all in place. Antique brick arrive tomorrow morning early and the piers should be built exactly according to plan. We hope to give Mr. Elder's steel (upon which the house continues to rest) back to him soon - we have had it tied up WAY too long.

Perhaps next time you drive past you can see some piers rising from the ground. Keep your fingers crossed. Lots of work to do, but let the fun....continue!

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Currently standing on the Duncan House lot, this “project sign” shows a historical architect’s drawing of the house.

After all practical modifications are completed, our goal is to match the building’s exterior as closely as possible to the 1862 appearance as depicted here. The front windows will be very large. The rehabilitated house certainly won’t look exactly like the architectural drawing, but many of the features will be restored. For sure, the house will be high off the ground, as it was in the past. The steps leading to the portico will be interesting, as we will have several feet to rise from the sidewalk. Stay tuned!

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

This picture of the Duncan House shows the home in the early 1880s, and is taken from its earliest known photo. This image first appeared in "The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine" and later in "Battles and Leaders," along with photos of other Civil War homes in Corinth at that time. Unfortunately, the giant bushes seen here are hiding the home’s iconic front windows.

Now that the moving phase is complete, we can begin the difficult task of recreating the Duncan House’s original appearance.