PEM letter to MHC regarding Phillips Library Buildings IEIMPeabody
Essex
PMuseum RECEIVED
MAR 19 2018
March 8, 2018 DEPT. OF PLANNING &
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Paul Holtz
Historical Architect
Co-Director, Grants Division
Massachusetts Historical Commission
220 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston,MA 02125
RE: Proposed Plummer Hall/Daland House Complex,
134/132 Essex Street, Salem, MA
Dear Mr. Holtz:
Thank you for your recent inquiry of January 16, 2018,regarding the proposed
work to the Plummer Hall/Daland House complex. In the letter there is mention of our
"ongoing"work which may be a reference to the building envelope work that was
completed in 2014. This work was reviewed and approved through the Salem Historical
Commission as part of a Certificate of Appropriateness application process. Copies of
these certificates are attached.
This work did not change or alter the structure but was general building envelope
work to preserve and maintain the existing roof and exterior wall. The work consisted of
repointing of the existing brick,replacement of deteriorated brownstone with cast stone
and removal and replacement of wood windows with in-kind new wood windows. In
addition to this work to the building, the existing asphalt roll and shingle roof was
replaced with new slate and copper roofing materials. There has been no additional work
performed to the building since 2014.
In 2011, the museum began planning preservation work to the exterior of the
Plummer Hall/Daland House complex which historically housed the Essex Institute and
the Peabody Essex Museum's consolidated James Duncan and Stephen Phillips Research
Library collection. The scope of the sorely needed renovations required for safety and
security reasons, the removal of the collections from the building. In preparation for the
collections relocation,the library ceased public operations in late 2011. The collections
were moved to a temporary offsite space where a major$2.2 million dollar retrospective
conversion of the myriad catalogue systems formerly in use, were consolidated to the
Library of Congress system and the entire catalogue was , for the first time,made
available in digitized form on the internet. The collections were fully accessible to the
public once again in the temporary facility by late 2013.
East India Square I Salem,MA 01970 1 Tel:978-745-9500 1 Fax:978-744-6776 1 www.pem.org
Peabody
Essex
PIEIMMuseum
After carrying out the exterior renovations to the Plummer Hall/Daland Complex
and the retrospective conversion of the library collection,it became increasingly clear
that it was not going to be possible to return the museum's research library collection and
operation to Plummer Hall and Daland House since required preservation work to these
two historic buildings and the Library Stacks Annex built behind Daland House in 1966
required that the entire complex fully comply with current building codes. It became
evident that it was impossible to make the 1966 Library Stacks Annex code compliant
due to the idiosyncratic structure of this building. The building cannot be occupied and
we are proposing to remove the building as part of the submission included with this
letter. With the removal of the Library Stacks Annex the plans include the removal of the
adjacent mechanical plant building. The removal of these two structures greatly
enhances the existing courtyard space of the Essex Block.
With the removal of the Library Stacks Annex the c 1913 Vault building will once
again be exposed to the north and east. The existing masonry exterior will be restored
and new reproduction windows will be installed into existing masonry openings that were
originally windows.
The other significant modification proposed to the exterior of the connector
building is the relocation of the existing entry portal,with new doors,to grade and the
removal and relocation of the existing brownstone stairs. This creates a grade level
entrance for the building and locates an accessible lift just inside the building,rather than
an exterior lift. The existing stairs were originally part of the Plummer Hall building and
will be returned to their original location. In order to remove the existing fire escape on
the west facade of Plummer Hall a second means of egress will need to be provided from
existing auditorium. This second means of egress would be to the east onto a newly
constructed wood porch. This new porch would replace an existing wood porch. Access
to the porch would be achieved by the removal of an existing window and reusing that
window as a door.
In addition to the exterior work indicated, you will see proposed interior
renovation work consisting of the addition of new handicapped accessible restrooms on
Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Due to the multiple additions to these buildings many
interior floor levels are not in alignment. In order to address this we are proposing to
install a new elevator in the existing shaft. This new elevator will have new openings on
both sides of the shaft to address these multiple level issues. Adjacent to the elevator we
are proposing to install a new egress stair to address a non-code compliant condition for
egress from Daland House.
In order to bring the buildings up to current codes in terms of life safety,the
design scope includes the installation of new fire suppression systems, fire alarm and
security systems in the entire building complex. Mechanical systems will also be
upgraded in the building complex for greater control and occupant comfort.
East India Square I Salem,MA 019701 Tel:978-745-9500 1 Fax:978-744-6776 1 www.pem.org
Peabody
Essex
PIEIAJ�__ Museum
Interior renovations will be limited to the indicated accessibility improvements.
There will be no architectural alterations of the layout of the building. Previously
removed, damaged or missing moldings and details will be restored and or reproduced
appropriately.
Upon completion of this preservation/restoration project,the complex will again be open
to the public providing access to some of the museum's collections and programs
including events and specialized exhibitions and a multi-media presentation on Salem
history located in the 2nd floor Grand Hall at Plummer Hall. The Reading Room at
Plummer Hall will also be open to the public for research, access to digital information,
and to select historical materials. Spaces previously used as staff offices will once again
be used as such.
As you may be aware we are currently in the process of reviewing the enclosed
design package with the Salem Historic Commission. We would be very happy to meet
with you and our Architects, Schwartz Silver Associates to review the documents in
person. We look forward to receiving your comments on these proposed design plans
now under consideration. Thank you again for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Peabody Essex Museum
By:
_�&A
Mr. Robert Monk, Chief of Security and Facilities
cc: Dan Monroe, Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Director and CEO,PEM
Jennifer Firth, Historic Salem, Inc.
Jessica Herbert, Chairperson, Salem Historical Commission
East India Square I Salem,MA 01970 I Tel:978-745-9500 1 Fax:978-744-6776 1 www.pem.org