The pace of restoration of the Priscilla Beach Theatre since my last post (at this link) is impressive. Above, the main entrance wall (southeast side) structural work is complete and the membrane and final sheathing is being applied.
The audience area wall (northeast side) is complete and ready for finishing.
The back of the stage and prop storage areas (northwest side) are complete and ready for finishing.
The corner beam and side stage area wall (northeast side) are being repaired.
The rotted wood and other construction scraps are loaded up to be hauled away.
Attention now is on the southwest side of both the stage area (at center above) and the backstage area (at left above). Both had extensive sill and foundation issues so a poured concrete foundation is being built to properly support the wall.
Note the piece of plywood on the ground under the red door. I'll come back to that in a moment.
Looks like quite a challenge but the folks doing the work, Colonial Barn Restoration, from Bolton, Massachusetts, take it all in stride. The corner between the "V" of support braces I mentioned in a previous post is remarkable because the corner post had completely rotted out from water damage. That will be replaced soon.
The footings are framed for the new foundation wall. Meanwhile, back to the piece of plywood on the ground which is just behind the man in the blue shirt.
Under that sheet of plywood is this amazing brick well about four feet in diameter. It lies within the perimeter of the original barn structure so it has presumably been here since the barn was built in 1875. It is 22 feet just down to the water level! The workmen dropped a weighted string down through the water and there was another 27 feet before it hit bottom! Imagine that. How did they dig the hole and construct this 50-feet deep round brick well almost 140 years ago? It boggles my mind. The little brick protrusions look like steps to descend - I think I'll pass even though it might make a great photo..........
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