For the Exterior Rehabilitation of the Pugh House, 103 Page Street, Morrisville
Constructed circa 1870, the Pugh House is an excellent example of a Victorian I-house with Italianate-influenced elaborate porches. The house is one of only three homes in Morrisville which retain its original detailed sawnwork. The house has a close association with noted artist Mabel Pugh, the daughter of the original owner of the house and later an owner herself. Ms. Pugh served as the head of the Art Department at Peace College and was nationally known for her block print illustrations.
In 2007, extensive road improvements around the house’s location threatened the structure. As a result, the Town of Morrisville worked with the property owner to acquire the house and relocate it. The Town coordinated with Capital Area Preservation and the State Historic Preservation Office to find a comparable location nearby that also faced the railroad tracks. On January 12, 2008, the house was moved to its new location just across the street facing the opposite direction. Here the structure sat with its smokehouse for several years until the Town had the funds to conduct the exterior restoration.
In an effort to rehabilitate the house and have it relisted on the National Register of Historic Places at its new location, the Town restored the original wood siding and repainted both the house and the smokehouse with original colors found inside the roof; reglazed and sealed the windows while retaining a majority of the original glass; built foundation piers for the smoke house and installed a new wood foundation; rebuilt both porches using most of the original wood; added matched scroll work to the rear porch; and installed a new metal roof on both the house and the smoke house to match the original.
The result is a beautiful restoration of one of the three signature historic structures in Morrisville’s Historic Crossroads area. The restoration of the Pugh House preserves its notable architecture and human history. In addition, the building welcomes residents and visitors alike at the gateway to Morrisville’s historic town center. In so doing, it supports Morrisville’s award-winning Town Center Plan to create a vibrant central gathering place for the community.
The Board of Directors of Capital Area Preservation, Inc. is pleased to present a 2013 Anthemion Award to the Town of Morrisville, Beau Chene Company, LLC, and Isosceles Design for the Exterior Rehabilitation of the Pugh House, Morrisville.