True craftsmen and preservationists are those that respect the architectural integrity of Nantucket’s historic resources by interfering as little as possible with a structure’s architectural fabric. This “light touch approach” means learning about a building’s history, studying, uncovering and preserving while also ensuring that interiors are sensitively upgraded and preserved for future generations.
The list below is intended to provide a sampling of craftsmen and preservationists and is drawn on our knowledge and of their work. Several craftsmen are recipients of NPT’s Preservation Awards.
Pen Austin
Pen Austin, an expert in architectural finishes, plaster and lime finishes, has a strong commitment to proper restoration and her work is her passion. Pen, educated and trained in Great Britain, is a master at plastering and chimney repair including lime-mortar restoration, and decorative painting. Her work focused on the importance of sensitive restoration using historic materials. She has worked on many restoration projects on island, including 9 New Mill Street, 60 Cliff Road, 18 India Street, and island institutions such as the Maria Mitchell House and the Unitarian Meeting House. She also volunteers her time to help run demonstration projects and works to share her knowledge with other island contractors.
Michael Burrey
Michael Burrey is a restoration carpenter who oversaw the restoration of the tower of the Unitarian Meeting House and has worked on various projects on island as well as numerous early period structures on the mainland. At the meeting house, his work included restoration of major roof trusses using nineteenth-century methods and joinery and the repair of other elements on the exterior and interior. He is a member of the highly regarded Timber Framers Guild and the Traditional Timberframe Research and Advisory Group. He has worked for leading museums in the regional including Plimouth Plantation and demonstrates early timber framing techniques throughout the northeast.
Design Associates Inc.
Founded on Nantucket in 1979, Design Associates continues to practice preservation-minded architectural projects on the island and beyond. Principals ‘Jock’ Gifford, Chris Dallmus and Patrick Guthrie bring a history-based approach to all of their projects, resulting in the creation of buildings worthy of future preservation. They have and continue to design new, renovation and restoration projects in historic districts and have worked on National Register of Historical Places structures. Their design approach to historic buildings is one of respect for the original.
Notable Nantucket projects include the 1987 Restoration of Sherburne Hall on Centre Street, the summer home of the Preservation Institute: Nantucket, attended by Chris Dallmus in 1979, and the offices of the Nantucket Preservation Trust. Design Associates’ was the architect for the 1996 “This Old House” project at 3 Milk Street as well as the architects for the NPT’s 2011 Stewardship Award recipient 27 Main Street in ‘Sconset, working on its restorative renovation and honoring and respecting the interior architecture. Design Associates was the architect for the NPT’s 2014 Architectural Preservation Award for 7 Farmer Street, incorporating modern-day living arrangements and conveniences while retaining its historic elements such as plaster walls, woodwork, and floorboards. In addition, Design Associates was the architect for the NPT’s 2015 and first ever New Construction Award at 251 Polpis Road, noting that the residence’s placement and scale are role models for new construction in the outer areas of the island, embracing guidelines promoted in the Historic District Commission’s publication “Building With Nantucket in Mind”.
Colin Evans
Colin Evans, of Colin Evans Preservation and Restoration, LLC., has a wide range of experience in the building trades. Based year-round on Nantucket, Colin apprenticed to Pen Austin, learning skills in lime masonry and plastering. Under Pen, Colin has developed expertise in slaking quicklime to make lime putty, preparing historic mixes for mortars and plaster, repair of antique lime plaster including moldings, methods for re-lining flues and repairing historic chimneys, foundation repair and underpinning. Working with Michael Burrey, Colin has supported and stabilized structures to repair and replace damage done to timber frames. He has learned numerous methods and techniques for splicing timbers to repair various structural issues depending on each situation. Colin has experience working with subcontractors to assess ways in which their work can be minimally disruptive to historic structures. Notable projects include 55 Union Street; 1 York Street; 86 Main Street; 94 Main Street; the Emily Dickenson Museum in Amherst, MA; and many Nantucket Historical Association properties, fine homes, and public buildings.
Ben Moore
Woodworker Ben Moore has lived on Nantucket, working in the carpentry trade, since 1985. In 2001, he opened his own business, Moore Woodworking. Ben combines traditional joinery techniques with modern machinery to build unique and lasting designs. With more than 30 years of experience, he has contributed to numerous preservation-minded residential, commercial, and community projects, including creating custom doors, windows, stairs, newel posts, furniture, and cabinets, all with the highest level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Past work includes multiple projects at the ‘Sconset Union Chapel, the entryway arches to St. Mary’s Church, restoring the elaborate cupola finial at 19 Broad Street, and numerous projects for the Nantucket Historical Association.
Nantucket Heritage Painting
Nantucket Heritage Painting specializes in high end residential and commercial projects. Founded by Adam Zanelli in 1997, the firm has provided stripping, staining, and interior and exterior painting for many historic buildings such as the First Congregational Church, protected by a Nantucket Preservation Trust easement, 84 Main Street, winner of the 2021 NPT Architectural Preservation Award, and the Greydon House.
Valerie and Richard Norton
Valerie and Rick Norton, of the Norton Preservation Trust, have shown a commitment to historic preservation and the island’s historic architectural fabric. Valerie and Rick have completed over 12 restorations since 1993, and Valerie served for many years on the Historic District Commission. Their projects have involved an array of architectural types from early 18th century homes, to Victorian cottages and craftsman bungalows. They also have preserved a North Wharf structure as well as the NHA’s 1800 House on Mill Street.
Brian Pfeiffer
Brian Pfeiffer, architectural historian, has extensive experience documenting historic buildings. This work has led him to focus on historic craft techniques and traditional building materials by managing restoration projects where he is able to call on his knowledge and years working with preservation craftsmen. On Nantucket Mr. Pfeiffer has overseen conservation repairs to two 18th-century timber-frame houses and most recently served as project manager for the Unitarian Meeting House. He also serves as easement consultant for the Nantucket Preservation Trust and the ‘Sconset Trust. His past work was with the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (now Historic New England) where he served as the director of the preservation restriction program and as Vice President for Conservation and Preservation Services.