Historic home needs shoring up now
By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
With the approval of a master plan contract for the city’s newest, and largest, park two weeks ago, the vision and work that will transform the historic Ravenswood Farm and c. 1835 home into the 320-acre Marcella Vivrette Smith Park.

The Brentwood City Commission tonight is expected to authorize an agreement with Leatherwood Inc. to stabilize the pre-Civil War mansion, Ravenswood House.

During a recent tour of the house and its outbuildings, Assistant City Manager Kirk Bednar pointed out that “for an 1825 house, it’s really in very good shape.” But no one has lived in the home for over 12 years and it shows.

The stabilization request comes on the heels of a recent “mothball” assessment by Centric Architecture. That firm determined what needed to be done now to fix existing issues and prevent future structural deterioration until the master plan is complete and the city determine how the home will be used.

Already several trees have been removed or tagged for removal.

Leatherwood, a Franklin-based company, has a well-established reputation for historic preservation. It worked with the city on the restoration of the Boiling Spring Academy in the city’s Primm Park.

The work has actually begun. Flooding in the basement caused by a small failed section of the foundation needed immediate attention so staff expedited the beginning of the foundation work with a $9,679 purchase order approved by City Manager Mike Walker according to city policy. The balance of the work will cost $65,829. Funds allowed in the city’s Capital Projects Fund budget will cover the costs.

The "Mothballing Ravenswood” contract includes, according to priority, remortering the stone foundation, mud removal, installation of three screw jacks and waterproofing the basement; installing chimney caps, installing built-in gutters and metal roof repair, and replacing downspouts to the roof; wood repairs and spot painting on the front and rear porches, windows and shutters; securing windows and doors and improving ventilation.

Even in its current state, the home’s “bones” and past beauty are evident to a visitor today. An amazing staircase in the large foyer could be a perfect setting for a small wedding. Marble fireplaces and original wood floors in the public rooms already hint at what’s possible ahead.

Original hand-blown glass windows remain in several of the windows. “Modern touches,” such as an in-ground swimming pool and an old satellite dish will be removed,  “But we might keep the pool house,” Bednar said, depending upon what use the master plan comes up with for the home and its immediate environs.

The city commission will vote on this resolution and several others at its 7 p.m. meeting in the second floor board room in the Municipal Building, 5211 Maryland Way.

Click here to see the full agenda.