On September 26, 2022; the 1855 Lambert Farmhouse at 1215 McCormick Rd. was inspected by Mr. Eric Fairchild, founder of Friends of the Farm and potential bidder to relocate the structure, Mr. Joe Botchie, Registered Architect (RA, NCARB) and Chairman of the Upper Allen Township Historic Architecture Review Board (HARB) and Mr. David Morrison, Executive Director of Historic Harrisburg Association. Ms. Nancy Van Dolsen, a noted historian, educator and author of two books on Cumberland County, Pennsylvania architecture was nearby to provide additional support.
Mr. Botchie had the following observations:
1. Structurally the home is very sound. The contemporary additions could be removed without destroying the integrity of the original 1855 structure.
2. Relocating the original structure is possible, albeit the lower level would be lost. Also, interior plaster walls and exterior masonry walls and chimneys may be subject to cracking during moving.
3. Although a lot of the interior has been remodeled and historic features lost over the years, some historic features remain such as the wood door and window trim, main beams and summer beam joists.
4. Exterior brickwork is an English pattern with five stretcher rows between the tieback header row and is in very good shape.
5. The “sawtooth” brick frieze on the East exterior side is quite unique to this period house. The West side may also contain this same brickwork under the upper porch roof addition.
6. The wide front door to the original parlor along with the smaller side door with the paneled jambs and stone lintels are also original to the home and a nice historic feature.
Apologies for not taking more encompassing photos. We were looking more for historic details and how the home was constructed vs. how one might inspect a modern home. Additional photos of the interior, rooms, etc. can be found in the earlier TKS Architects evaluation of the Farmhouse and Barn.
This is an early example of a “saw tooth” brick Frieze which normally is associated with the 1870’s onward. It’s impressive up close. Poor flashing detail at addition roofline is what is causing water intrusion in front room.We wondered if the ground depression may not be above a cold cellar off the basement Summer KitchenThere would not have been a vestibule or deck originally. There likely was an wide open front porch running the length of the house with a wide stairway similar to the Scherich farmhouse.Stone lintels and sills can be seen around most window openings,We were accompanied by a Police Officer who was very nice and a great representative for the UAT Police. He was interested in what we were seeing as well.These additions can be removed without much difficulty and will reveal the original use of the South facing Summer Kitchen on the ground floor. The “Built by Michael & Mary Lambert 1855” capstone is above the attic window.We did not need a chemical stripper after all. Here we see the original brick with perhaps its earliest paint job or white wash. The brick work would not have been painted in 1855.Close up of brick work. The rear balconies are not original. The W.S. Scoot doorway and beam is to the left of the concrete block retaining wall. It isn’t clear if there was an original doorway here or a window.The W.S. Scoot beam does not extend all the way across the opening.There is poured concrete on both sides of this doorway leading to our conclusion that the W.S. Scoot beam was placed much later.Northwest corner of the house. Apparent water damage from overflowing gutters on the addition. The 1855 house likely did not have gutters originally. We started the interior inspection on the ground floor. Depth of doorway and window openings suggest triple wall brick construction. Evidence of original sandstone foundation in the greenhouse.Main plumbing stack at northwest corner of home. We were looking for original floor joists and method of attachment.Utility room for oil furnace and electric panelFurnace vents into the north side chimney here.Wiring is a “cobb job”. Not visible in the photo but here is where we could view the original floor joists – they are hand hewn logs running parallel to the length of the house. Not unusual to see this type of surface mold in a closed up house.The doorways to the first floor den addition are through the original window openings. Note header stone above doorway.This is the front room as you enter the original house through a doorway in the den addition.As noted in an earlier photo, the roof flashing on the den addition was poorly done and is the cause of this water damage in the front room. This is the bath adjacent to the front room. The offset where the tile meets the drywall is the location of the original chimney. We are thinking the shallow chimney means that the Lamberts may have used wood stoves vs. fireplaces on this side of the house.Original front service door. Non original hardware. Not sure if stained glass is original or a replacement.Exterior side of front entry/service door.Left side formal entry door. The surrounding trim appears original but the door is not. So, this is a German-Georgian farmhouse with 2 different sized front doors. The overall good condition of the trim suggests these doors were under a covered porch most of their life.The trim in the parlor is more formal than in other parts of the house. The entry to the “saloon” addition is through a former window opening. The “saloon” addition. What can we say?Original wood windows have been replaced with these.Attic flooring with 2nd floor ceiling joists. Joists measure appx. 3”X 6”Original rafters about 36” OC. Original roof decking has be replaced with plywood. Unweathered brick in attic better shows the original color.
Friends of the Farm 