©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Historical Society offers home repair clinics

The Chestnut Hill Historical Society (CHHS) is expanding its Resource Center by offering old home repair clinics. The first series of these clinics, featuring window repair of old wood casement windows will be held Wednesdays in August from 9 am to noon at CHHS Headquarters, 8708 Germantown Ave.

Participants of the Window Repair Clinic will learn how to repair and replace broken, rotted or unfunctional wood windows. The Clinic will include instruction, as well as hands on exercises to replace windows on the Historical Society property.

Each clinic will be led by George Lyons, executive director of CHHS and a preservation architect with 15 years of experience restoring historic structures. Participants will gain hands-on experience by working on the 1870s Victorian headquarters building of CHHS. The combination of clinic instruction and hands-on work will prepare participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle many of their own home window repairs.

The CHHS Resource Center provides helpful assistance to homeowners in understanding their older properties and finding contractors experienced with historic properties. They maintain a database of contractors, product suppliers, architects and many other skilled tradespeople providing service to older homes.

The Resource Center is also seeking volunteers interested in learning older home maintenance and those interested in connecting with many different contractors. Volunteers will assist in the review and screening of home improvement companies applying for inclusion in the CHHS Resource Center database.

The Chestnut Hill Historical Society always welcomes interested individuals willing to contribute their time and talents to the organization. They are seeking people from all backgrounds and interests to work in CHHS areas including administration, archives, easements, youth and adult education, preservation advocacy, programs, fundraising and retail.

If you are interested in registering for the Windows Repair Clinic or learning of volunteer opportunities at CHHS, please contact Audrey Simpson at 215-247-0417.