Planting Fields Foundation has announced that after two years of closure and eight months of restoration work the West Portico of Coe Hall will reopen to the public on Friday, June 4 following a ribbon-cutting and reception from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Remarks will be given by Planting Fields Foundation’s executive director Gina J. Wouters and Planting Fields Foundation Trustee Robert Foschi who will be joined by leadership from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation including Commissioner Erik Kulleseid, Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation Daniel MacKay, George Gorman, Regional Director, and Vincent Simeone, Director, Planting Fields Arboretum.
Thanks to a grant from the Environmental Protection Fund Program for Parks, Preservation and Heritage, the Foundation, in partnership with New York State, has completed the restoration work needed to return architectural integrity, safety, and stability to the West Portico where visitors can once again experience the harmony between the Gilded Age home, built by W.R. and Mai Coe, and the surrounding Olmsted Brothers landscape.
The restoration work focused on two major structural deficiencies that resulted from years of water damage. Led by a team of historic restoration specialists, the terracotta tile on the terrace above the West Portico was completely replaced and waterproofed.
The loose and damaged stones from the West Portico’s walls, were removed, cleaned, repaired, and then reset back in place. The “Dutchman” repair technique allowed the team to patch the damaged areas of the columns while preserving a maximum of original building material.
Replacement stones were hand-tooled to match the markings of the original stone which will match seamlessly over time.
Program Schedule:
11:00 – 11:15 AM Check-in
11:15 – 11:30 AM Welcome
11:30 AM Ribbon Cutting
11:45 AM Refreshments
12:00 – 2:00 PM West Portico Tours
The event is open to the public, with limited capacity, and advanced reservations are required. Guests may register at www.plantingfields.org. In accordance with NY State Covid-19 safety guidelines, masks will be required. Upon arrival, guests may park in the visitor parking lot and proceed to the front door of Coe Hall for check-in.
