Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
One of Downtown Madison’s most historic buildings, the W.T. Davis building, will soon be undergoing much-needed repairs if all goes according to plan. The building, which dates back to the 19th century, sustained hurricane damage and is need of repairs to the roof and the metal facade. In its prime, the building was a performance space and the site of many theatrical and operatic performances. Today, the building serves as the home of the Treasures of Madison County historical museum.
The historic nature of the building means special care must be taken in performing the repairs. With this in mind, Baker Roofing from Raleigh, N.C. was called upon to assist with the planning and possible implementation of the repairs. A representative recently traveled to Madison to conduct an on-site assessment of the building’s facade.
“The Treasures Museum features a rare Mesker Brothers cast iron facade, an architectural system that was widely used in the late 1800s, but is increasingly uncommon today,” said Matthew Andress, with Mockingbird Public Adjusters. “These facades are considered character-defining elements of historic buildings and require specialized knowledge to properly evaluate, repair and maintain. Restoration isn’t just about fixing visible damage, it’s about preserving the integrity of materials that were designed and manufactured in a very different era.”
Mockingbird Public Adjusting, of Madison, has been instrumental in assisting with this project.