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A TAVERN'S JOURNEY
THE RELOCATION OF TWEEDS TAVERN
Client: Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT)
Challenge
Tweeds Tavern, a log building constructed circa 1790s, was "discovered"
during DelDOT's widening of Route 7 in Hockessin, Delaware. This
rest stop for Colonial era travelers was hidden under layers of
more contemporary construction. The Hockessin Historical Society
and DelDOT collaborated to preserve the former tavern. A permanent
home was conceived as the center piece of the proposed nearby Tweeds
Park recreation area. The park would include athletic fields, and
regional stormwater management facilities, while showcasing the
area's history. DelDOT committed to fund the reconstruction of the
two-story tavern structure as a visitor's center for the Hockessin
Historical Society.
Solution
Duffield Associates was retained to assist DelDOT in planning, designing,
and constructing the park facility and the relocated and restored
historic Tweeds Tavern.
Because of the historic nature of the project, it was decided to move
the tavern piece by piece because:
- Structural damage during the move would be avoided.
- Disassembly of portions of the original log structure would
be required to facilitate restoration even if it was moved in
its entirety.
- The disassembly enabled expert evaluation of the original structure
and finishes.
- Expensive utility relocations and traffic impacts were avoided.
- Detailed documentation of early American building construction
materials and techniques was achieved
Working closely with DelDOT and the Hockessin Historic Society, and
through a unique design build effort, Duffield Associates directed
architectural and engineering design, archaeological studies, relocation,
construction and restoration of this historic building. The relocation
included:
- Marking elements of the original structure for later identification.
Gathering material samples that would be subsequently used for
display purposes that otherwise might have been significantly
damaged or lost during moving.
- Disassembling the original log structure.
- Packing of the disassembled log structure for safe transportation
and storage at the new site.
- Creating a secure site for storage and reconstruction of the
disassembled structure.
- Constructing a permanent stone masonry foundation to replicate
the original.
- Reconstructing the original log structure using approximately
40% of the original building materials, which necessitated the
rehabilitation of numerous weathered timbers.
This project was awarded an Honors Award by the American Council
of Engineering Companies-Delaware.
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Georgetown,
DE