80 Federal Street_CofA_RoofandBallustradesSalem Historical Commission
98 WASHINGTON STREET, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 (978) 619-5685
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS HCA-25-29
It is hereby certified that the Salem Historical Commission has determined that the proposed:
Type of Work: Reconstruction
as described below will be appropriate to the preservation of said Historic District, as per the requirements set forth in the Historic
District's Act (M.G.L. Ch. 40C) and the Salem Historic Districts Ordinance.
District: McIntire
Address of Property: 80 FEDERAL STREET , SALEM, MA 01970
Name of Owner at time of Submission: ESSEX INSTITUTE
Applicant's Description of Work: The Peabody_EssexMuseum would like to replace the existing roof and balustrades at the Pierce-
Nichols House. Currently, the roof covering fpor the lower hips is failing three-tab asphalt shingles that are nearly 50 years old.
There is also associate copper snow slides along the eaves. The upper portion of the hip, not visible from any public vantage point,
is soldered-seam copper. We would like to replace the existing asphalt with slate, to ensure the maximum ongevity and protection
from the elements. The material we propose is called "non-fading" black natural slate. This is a Canadian product that the Historic
Commission has previous;ly approved for the slate roof replacements at PEM's historic East India Marine Hall (2002) and the
Cotting-Smith Assembly House (2007). The material will be sourced from the same quarry as was for these previous buildings. The
tile size will be 12" x 18",the same as was used on the two earlier PEM projets mentioned above.
All existing copper work, including snow slides, glashings, and soldered-seam flat areas, will be replaced exactly in kind with new
16-oz copper. The installation will match the design and workmanship of existing.
Both the upper and lower roof balustrades require full replacement. They were previously replacedin kind in 1998, as approved by
the Historic Commission. They were made from Spanish Sedar rather than the original eastern white pine, which was at the time
thought to gave great longevity. After less than 30 years, it has irrepairably failed.
We propose to replace the balustrades using cast resin rather than wood. We have detailed measured drawings of the originals, and
they can be reproduced to within 1/16" of accuracy. The resin will deliver extremely crisp details of the molding profiles, and is
designed to accept any type of paint. The specific product is called polyester-reinforced resin, or PRF. It has been used for decades
to reproduce unobtainable parts for fine antique auto restoration, as well as for architectural elements and statuary. The work will
be completed by Skiylght Studios, Inc, located in Woburn MA. Thy have many years ofusing this product in architectural settings.In
Salem, the eagle on theCustoms House roof (NPS) and the McIntire Eagle on Hamilton Hall have been reproduced by them using
this material to great success. Other projects of theirs include the dome and ornaments on Union Station in Worcsester, outdoor
garden sculptures for several mansions in Newport, RT, and rooftop ornaments at the Berkley Building in Boston.
The design will exactly reproduce existing, including original manner of assembly (baluster panels set between piers and capped
with a rail cal), and will befastened to the roof using the existing steel backer rods in their original locations. This material does not
break down over time in ultraviolet light, and is reinforced to withstand high wind sheer. It is extremely light weight, which lessens
the live load on the roof structure. The castings will be hollow on the back to reduce weight. This detail will not be visible from any
angle unless viewed from behind while standing on the roof.
Statement of Conditions:
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Replace existing asphalt roof shingles with slate shingles in "non-fading" black
Replace roof balustrades in cast polyester-reinforced resin to replicate existing conditions (dimensions,
location, design, installation details, and outward appearance).
Upon completion of above work, please notify Historical Commission staff through permitting system as final
sign-off is required to document compliance with this Certificate and approved plans.
Dated: January 8, 2026
SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
By:
This certificate will expire: January 8, 2027
The homeowner has the option not to commence the work (unless it relates to resolving an outstanding violation). All work
commenced must be completed within one year from this date unless otherwise indicated. THIS IS NOT A BUILDING PERMIT.
Please be sure to obtain the appropriate permits from the Inspector of Buildings (or any other necessary permits or approvals)
prior to commencing work.
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