Renovations underway at Longwell House

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

After a year filled with restrictions, closures, delays and other headaches, the Monongahela Historical Society’s Longwell House has finally started to see renovations.

Restoration work began last week on the house, which was originally built in 1872 by local architect John Blythe and owned by Capt. David Longwell, a well-known riverboat captain. The house is now home to the society and its historic Monongahela collections.

The historical society purchased the house almost two years ago, and because the property is on the National Register of Historic Places, the group is trying to preserve as much of the original house as possible to keep the structure’s Italianate design.

Phase one of the project is currently underway by Canonsburg-based JLD Construction. It includes renovations to the house’s roof, gutters, downspouts, corbels and an underground water drainage pipe.

“We had hoped to have the roof on before winter, but it didn’t work out,” said historical society President Laura Magone of the $55,000 project. “The state didn’t have the funds available as soon as they said they would. Once the funding went through, the project went to bid in February of this year.

“It’s just been a crazy time. Prices have gone up so much; we can’t get supplies, and contractors are busy. We’re just very grateful to get this done.”

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