Mary Moody Northen Endowment Assess Needed Repairs for Fairfield’s Historic Home
The Mary Moody Northen Endowment Foundation Executive Director, Betty Massey, visited the Moody Bradley House in Fairfield on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, with an a 3-person crew to assess repairs needed due to moisture issues.
Howard Page, a masonry specialist; Andrew Penrose, a wood specialist; and Mary Hoene, a General Maintenance Specialist, all traveled from Galveston with Mrs. Massey and spent the day at the historical home viewing all potential problems needing repairs.
This team will put together an assessment report with details on what repairs are needed and how they should be taken care of to continue to preserve the house while adhering to the Texas Historical Commission guidelines.
“This is such a beautiful home and part of the Moody legacy,” explained Mrs. Massey. “It’s important to preserve. Our team has many years of experience in their fields and working at the Moody Mansion. The minute details make all the difference, and they will see that the best care is given to this beautiful house.”
PREVIOUS REPAIR WORK
–Roof/Foundation/ Porches
1968 – Ray Bennefield: roof, porches, foundation, fireplaces
1985 – Bobby McAdams: repair porches
1995 – Johnny Swinburn: chimneys & back fireplace restored
1995 – John Daniel: Brace and repair foundation
1996 – Danny Cockrell: roof and patio repaired
1998 – Mr. C’s Remodeling: repair post on porches
1999 – Danny Cockrell: chimney repair
2001 – Al Johnson: house leveling
2002 – Du-Rite Construction: rebuild porches
2003 – Al Johnson: new beams, house leveled and made screens
2012 – Bedrock foundation: house leveled
2012 – Danny Cockrell: new roof & chimneys repaired
2014 – Al Johnson: leveled west porch
2018 – Cronin & Sons: repaired and replaced all bracing on porch/repaired posts – added steel posts for structural stability
–Exterior Structure Integrity/Painting
2014 – Cronin & Sons: Prep windows for shutter replacement
2015 – Philadelphia Shutter Company: Replacement of Shutters (Spanish Cedar)
2018 – Cronin & Sons: replace all rotten wood on exterior of house/repaint
2020 – Hook & Ladder Fencing: replacement of picket fence with wrought iron
2023 – Signage — update/establish directional signage
–Lighting /Electrical / Air Conditioning
1988 – Carr Electric: wired entire house
1995 – Carr Electric: replaced and updated
1997 – Wortham Air: Air conditioner
1998 – Davis Refrigeration: Installed Carrier Air Cond.
2001 – Carr Electric:
2003 – Lockridge Priest: replaced duct work and worked on handlers
2007 – Lockridge Priest: Lenox Air Conditioner
2010 – Ballard Electrical
2012 – Goliath Foundation: humidistat installed with fans to improve air circulation
2015 – Wortham Air: 4 T Rheem unit to replace Lennox
2015-2016 – Exterior Lighting — installation of porch lights, security lights, lamp posts
2017 – Carr Electric — update electrical throughout house
2022 – Wortham Air
2022 – Wortham Air
2024 – Wortham Air — freon and condenser motor one unit
–Water Issues French drains/sump pumps
1999 – David Scarborough drew up plans for sprinkler system & landscaping
2002 – Byron Utts: installed French drains & pumps (recommended by David S.)
2002 – J.R. Phillips: electrical work French drains
2005 – Monarch Plumbing: new pump on west side (burned out)
2007 – Northern Plumbing: west back flow valve out/east side never hooked up by Smith Electric.
(major water leak)
2008 – Northern Plumbing: new sump pump
2012 – Tr-County: repaired & lowered French drains, added sleeve, more gravel, replaced sump pump on East side / west had electrical problem
2014 – Freedom Electric: electricity for pumps
2020 – Land Vision: (Ron Kirk) foundation work, French drain
2020 – Land Vision: Drainage Exploration Recommended water leaks
2000 – Fairfield Plumbing water leak
2011 – Northern Plumbing: leak under house by ramp
2011 – Northern Plumbing: came back to replace hot water heater & pipes moved to edge of sidewalk by ramp
–Consultants
1986-1987 – Lane Stripling: Architect
1995-1996 – Lane Stripling: Architect
1998 – Lane Stripling: Architect
2002 – Norman Alston: Architect hired to help with repairs and report on needs
2002 – Neely Plumb: Preservation Specialist hired to help with repairs & report on needs
2011 – AGTM Engineer: Ian Ray Architectural Engineer
2014 – Mark Thacker: Sinclair & Wright, Historical Preservationist and Architect
–Interior
2012-2013 – Kitchen Update
