Refreshing Look to Come for the Oakhurst Home

Oakhurst, the home of George and Frances Ball and their daughter Elisabeth, celebrates both its 120th and its 20th anniversaries this year. The house was built in 1895 and opened for public tours on May 27, 1995. It was designed by Indianapolis architect Louis Gibson who wanted the house to fit naturally into the oak grove selected by the family. Gibson did not paint the house, expecting that the wood siding and shingles would age naturally. Eventually, though, the house was both varnished and painted.

Oakhurst, 1972, with several coats of brown paint.

In addition to refinishing the exterior wood, the foundation was stabilized and the roof replaced during the renovation of the early 1990s. Based on the best recommendations at the time, a schedule was set to re-varnish one side of the house each year. After about fifteen years, the varnish began to “fail.” In other words, the new layer of varnish no longer adhered to the older layer, and moisture seeped in.

This year, we are taking care of that problem. The shingles will be removed and replaced with new, stained shingles. The siding will be stripped and stained. Following the architect’s wish, no varnish will be applied, and a new schedule of re-staining every six to eight years will be followed. Other work includes replacing front and side porch decking, refinishing floors in the screened porches and building a new handicap ramp. With the new roof that was added in 2010 and storm windows repaired and replaced in 2013, Oakhurst will be refreshed. Depending on the weather, work will begin sometime in April.

But, of course, we all know that old houses require constant attention. So it will get constant attention. By about mid-year, you’ll see a completely refreshed exterior of the Oakhurst house. What a great way to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Oakhurst House and Gardens opening.

Elisabeth on the front walk, ca. 1900.