THE GREAT HOUSE, CASTLE HILL
IPSWICH, MA

Stone & Lime Historic Restoration Services was honored to be awarded the restoration of this iconic seaside mansion. The scope of services included the repair and repointing of the brick masonry, detailed sandstone dutchman repairs, and the dismantling and rebuilding of select chimneys. The team also restored the West Portico and North Entrance, including the removal of deteriorated stucco vaults and the restoration of wood windows and doors. Additional work involved structural repairs to roof decking, parapet walls, and the installation of a new cold fluid applied membrane roof system. Every aspect of the restoration focused on maintaining the historical integrity of the estate, using traditional materials and techniques to match the original construction.

HISTORIC CONTEXT

The Crane Estate’s Great House, completed in 1928, was designed by architect David Adler for industrialist Richard T. Crane Jr. It sits atop Castle Hill in Ipswich, Massachusetts, offering sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. The estate reflects the opulence of the Country Place Era, when America’s elite built grand estates as retreats from urban life. Modeled after English country homes of the 17th century, the Great House is a testament to the architectural elegance and grandeur of its time. North Portico of Bapst Library at Boston College. Completed in 1928, Bapst Library is a landmark example of Collegiate Gothic architecture and one of the most iconic buildings on the Boston College campus. The work included the removal, cleaning, and resetting of coping stones and finials at the East, West, and North sides of the North Portico. All stone was reinstalled on new thru-wall flashing with threaded rods and plastic shims to improve durability and moisture management. The project also included cleaning of the interior surfaces of the North Portico in accordance with the project drawings, restoring the historic masonry while maintaining the architectural integrity of the building.