Pergola Progress: The Heat is On
The slate stepping stones are now in place along the pathway connecting the historic pergola and privy, marking a visible milestone in the restoration of this distinctive part of Körner’s Folly’s landscape. With the stones laid, preservationist and contractor Dan Ledbetter has begun another careful phase of work: removing old paint from the pergola’s wooden surfaces.
Dan is using a Cobra infrared paint-removal tool to soften the old coatings before gently scraping them away by hand. The tool directs infrared energy onto a small area, warming the paint until it bubbles and releases its grip on the wood beneath. Working section by section, Dan carefully lifts away the softened layers, revealing the historic wooden surface for closer examination and repair.
The process requires patience and a practiced hand. Working a small area at a time, Dan softens the paint and carefully scrapes it away, paying close attention to the underlying wood. The close-up photographs show this work underway, with the grain and weathered surface emerging beneath the old coating. Removing the paint allows a closer examination of the wood’s condition as preparations for repairs and repainting continue.
Because the existing paint contains lead, the work is being carried out with appropriate precautions and established abatement procedures. Care for the historic material goes hand in hand with care for the people performing the work and the surrounding site.
Temporary supports remain in place as restoration continues. The newly laid pathway and the painstaking work on the pergola’s surfaces show two different scales of preservation: changes visible across the landscape and progress measured in inches.
We are grateful to Dan, project leader David Gall, and the entire project team for their continued care, and to the campaign supporters whose generosity makes this work possible. We look forward to sharing the next steps as the pergola’s restoration advances!
