The Zimmerman Bury Octagon House
Our Mission is to preserve the only known Queen Ann Style Octagonal house with a gabled roof. This 1883 landmark has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the owners wish to share it with the public as a living museum of the middle class Victorian way of life.
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MAIN HOUSE Preserving Original Russian Tin Roof: Continuation of efforts to seal and repair original standing seam Russian Tin, which not only covers the steeply gabled roof but culminates in the unique built in gutter system. This Historic Landmark seams to be the ONLY eight sided residence in the nation with a gabled roof, making the needed maintenance imperative to the historical integrity of this house. A thorough investigation must be done to improve the built in gutter system that currently endangers the exterior and interior of the structure. Trim and Shutter Restoration: Much of the trim needs to be replaced, sealed and repainted including the remaining original shutters. Although the porch was reconstructed a decade ago, most of the original trim was never replaced and painting was never completed. Finishing this project will return the appearance of the house to it's original Victorian style. Attic: Although the 3 brick thick construction of the outer walls forms its own insulation, the need for insulation in the Attic is crucial to make the most of this efficient floor plan and conserve energy. Interior Ceilings: Because of the difficulty in obtaining quality craftsmen with knowledge of historic construction, improper work on the roof has resulted in water damage to ceilings on the second floor. At least one ceiling may need to be totally replaced, and several others will need either paint or the replacement of wallpaper. Spiral Stairway Stabilization: Temporary stabilization of the railing is needed for safety purposes to allow visitors to access the second floor. However, it is assumed that the stairway rail and spindles will have to be entirely dismantled in order to make it permanently and correctly stable without the visual impairment of temporary rods. OUTBUILDINGS Smokehouse: Although the original roof of the Smokehouse is long gone, the foundation is intact and the bricks remain, making it easily feasible to reconstruct the original structure, as the only original remaining outbuilding on the property. GROUNDS Original Orchard: Save and rejuvenate many of the original trees from the orchard as well as the large grafted maple tree which was an early experiment of Ezekiel Zimmerman III, the builder of the house. Since the land around the Zimmerman-Bury Octagon House is still being farmed by the Zimmerman family, it affords us the opportunity to maintain the property as closely as possible to its use and appearance as in 1883.
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