Tall Timbers Awarded 2020 Florida Preservation Award

Tall Timbers is pleased to announce that the John Russell Pope designed house at Dixie received a 2020 Florida Preservation Award for Restoration/Rehabilitation by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. The awards recognize people, organizations and communities who have worked to protect Florida’s extraordinary history and heritage. Award recipients were selected by a jury from around the state representing a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

“Although we are living in unprecedented times, it was important to us to continue our work recognizing excellence in historic preservation in our state,” said Florida Trust Board President Friederike Mittner. “Thank you to our award winners for all they do for preservation in our state.”

An oak allee leads to the front entrance of the Dixie House.

An oak allee leads to the front entrance of the Dixie House.

The 9,100-acre working/conservation property in Jefferson County is located in the heart of the Red Hills region, a distinct American landscape rich in natural and cultural resources. Under the Livingston family, the land became a highly regarded wild quail hunting preserve and one of the finest field trial venues in North America. The centerpiece of this grand estate is the 14,200-square-foot Neo-Classical Revival mansion designed in 1936 by John Russell Pope, one of the nation’s most prominent twentieth century architects. The Livingston residence was his only Florida-constructed design.

Tall Timbers hired r.e.Walsh Engineering to design a new kitchen exhaust system. The ductwork flows out of a kitchen window without marring the exterior of the building, as the old system did. Dr. George Simmons donated commercial appliances for the kitchen. The kitchen was painted in its original color scheme, the countertops were restored, and the cabinets were repaired.

IFACS conducted a study of the historic paint colors in the Dixie House. The consultants exposed the original colors using the bullseye mechanical method which involves carefully sanding an exposure through all layers of paint until the plaster or timber substrate is reached. IFACS used a spectrophotometer to read the bullseye samples using the Munsell color standard for recording the results. Tall Timbers used IFACS’ detailed report to select paint for repainting the interior in original colors.

IFACS conducted a study of the historic paint colors in the Dixie House. The consultants exposed the original colors using the bullseye mechanical method which involves carefully sanding an exposure through all layers of paint until the plaster or timber substrate is reached. IFACS used a spectrophotometer to read the bullseye samples using the Munsell color standard for recording the results. Tall Timbers used IFACS’ detailed report to select paint for repainting the interior in original colors.

Thanks to the financial support from the State of Florida and significant private donations, Tall Timbers/DPR, Inc. has completed a three-phase restoration and rehabilitation of the historic house.

The expertise of Edwards Olson Architecture and Childers Construction Company ensured a high-quality final result, including exterior and interior finishes, a commercial grade kitchen, central heating and air conditioning, repaired plumbing, and life safety and accessibility upgrades.

In addition, the award recognizes the craftsmanship of International Fine Art Conservation Studios, Inc. (IFACS) in the restoration of the historic paneled rooms. IFACS also conducted a detailed historic paint analysis to determine the original interior colors of the building.

According to the IFACS paint study, the dining room had been coated with a rainbow of paint throughout the history of the Dixie House and has now been restored to its original neutral colors. The more muted tones highlighted the elegant trim, artwork, and furniture the Livingstons placed in the room.

According to the IFACS paint study, the dining room had been coated with a rainbow of paint throughout the history of the Dixie House and has now been restored to its original neutral colors. The more muted tones highlighted the elegant trim, artwork, and furniture the Livingstons placed in the room.

The second and third floor rooms were suffering extensive paint failure due to poor surface preparation and lack of an HVAC system. Once the HVAC system was installed, the interior surfaces were repaired, prepped properly, and repainted in the historic paint colors as determined by IFACS. The natural green tone in this bedroom complements the landscape around the house.

The second and third floor rooms were suffering extensive paint failure due to poor surface preparation and lack of an HVAC system. Once the HVAC system was installed, the interior surfaces were repaired, prepped properly, and repainted in the historic paint colors as determined by IFACS. The natural green tone in this bedroom complements the landscape around the house.

The historic paneling in the living room had been poorly refinished at some point unknown to Tall Timbers, and it was dark and dingy. After detailed surface testing and research, IFACS restored the living room paneling and trim to its original finish.

The historic paneling in the living room had been poorly refinished at some point unknown to Tall Timbers, and it was dark and dingy. After detailed surface testing and research, IFACS restored the living room paneling and trim to its original finish.

IFACS conservators thoroughly cleaned and restored detailed wooden trim, including fireplace mantles.

IFACS conservators thoroughly cleaned and restored detailed wooden trim, including fireplace mantles.

IFACS Chief Conservator Mary Aldrich restores historic wood paneling in the Dixie House living room. Tall Timbers hired IFACS to study and restore the historic finishes of the living room paneling. IFACS also cleaned the historic paneling in the library, gun room, bar, and master bedroom sitting area. Additionally, IFACS developed instructions for future care of the paneling.

IFACS Chief Conservator Mary Aldrich restores historic wood paneling in the Dixie House living room. Tall Timbers hired IFACS to study and restore the historic finishes of the living room paneling. IFACS also cleaned the historic paneling in the library, gun room, bar, and master bedroom sitting area. Additionally, IFACS developed instructions for future care of the paneling.

The restored venue will soon open to host scientific meetings and community events. According to Kevin McGorty, Land Conservancy Director, “the completion of this restoration project returns this unique country house to its rightful place as one of Florida’s architectural gems.”

 

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