Historic Shelby home undergoes renovations
One of Shelby's most historic homes will soon be undergoing renovations.
For the first time since it was built, the Banker’s House, located at 319 N. Lafayette St., is getting a new roof.
Designed by prominent architect G.S. H. Applegate in 1874, the Banker’s House has been the home of members of the banking profession since its construction. It now is a wedding and event venue and a space for educational programs.
Scaffolding is slated to start going up on the historic house this week and will take two to three days to assemble.
Work will then begin on replacing and repairing the old roof with the estimated cost around $300,000, according to April Shauf, director of marketing. Shauf said work will take two to three months to complete, depending on the weather.
“It’s amazing that the original roof has lasted this long,” said Banker’s House Executive Director Carolyn Jackson. “This just shows the quality and durability that was crafted into every aspect of this house.”
After a diligent search, the Banker’s House administration selected Gutter Guys Inc., based in Kings Mountain, to oversee the roofing project.
“In today’s world, it’s unusual to find a company that’s passionate about their work,” says Banker’s House advisory council member Tony Brooks. “Gutter Guys Inc. is such a company, and they have specialists that have accepted the unique challenges of this project: from metal and slate work to the intricate internal gutter system.”
According to the release, the Banker’s House was built in the Second Empire Style, which was most popular between 1865 and 1900, having emerged out of the redevelopment of Paris under Napoleon III’s Second Empire – looking back to French Renaissance precedents. In fact, The Banker’s House has been dubbed as the “state’s most outstanding example of Second Empire Style.”
This style is characterized by a strong central tower, elaborate ornamentation and a mansard roof, which is a roof characterized by its double-pitched design with four slopes - two on each side of the roof.The Banker’s House is accepting donations for the roofing renovations. Titled “Raise the Roof for the Banker’s House,” the campaign welcomes contributions of any size to help contribute to the project. Donations can be made by clicking on the “Donate” button at the top of The Banker’s House website, TheBankersHouse.org.
“We have been able to secure some grant money to help offset the cost somewhat, but, of course, replacing a historic and architecturally intricate roof such as this will require a great deal of funds,” says Jackson.
For more information and updates about the roofing project, follow The Banker’s House on Facebook and Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Historic Shelby home undergoes renovations
