Citation Video Project Team Highlights Video
The Boody-Johnson House, now a part of the Bowdoin College campus, has been deemed a landmark in the development of American wooden domestic architecture. The Gothic Revival-style cottage, built in 1849, was listed in the National Register in 1975. Designed by Gervase Wheeler, the building reflects his desire to expose the structural elements of the house— the aesthetic of reality in architecture— as seen in the vertical board and batten siding, heavy corner posts, and half-timbered gables. The design was subsequently published in Andrew Jackson Downing’s famous book The Architecture of Country Houses and other architects took inspiration from it in their work.
Henry Boody, the original owner and namesake of the house, built the Gothic cottage from Wheeler’s plans. Boody was a graduate of and professor at Bowdoin College. The property was transferred multiple times until it was willed to the college, which took possession in 1957. Since that time, the house has served as a residence for college presidents and deans, and more recently as faculty offices. While well-maintained and minimally altered, the college’s plan to convert the building to a student residence presented challenges in balancing the adaption of construction practices of 1849 with current accessibility, life safety, and building code requirements, without diminishing the house’s historic character.
The project executed an interior reorganization in the ell and connector to the barn that included a new, accessible entry and lift to the second floor gathering space in the barn. A dormer was added to the rear to provide needed headroom for a new egress stair. A fire partition to separate the main house from the ell was inserted to permit continued use of the original main house stairwell. The connector, which is a timber framed part of the barn required structural reinforcement. All new framing was implemented from the interior, in order to retain the original roof line, walls, and exterior siding. Along with the architectural alterations, new mechanical systems, electrical systems, and lighting were installed, along with updated bathroom and kitchen facilities.
As is often the case in historic restorations, fun discoveries were made when addressing different parts of the house. “Scratchiti” was found carved onto an attic window, left by residents of the home in 1870. The window sash where this was visible was retained and is now a historic marker in the vestibule. Behind the radiators there were several layers of wallpaper that were catalogued by the Bowdoin team. Paint analysis was completed on the exterior of the home, detailing three distinct painting schemes all dating to the nineteenth century. The colors chosen for the restoration were based on the 1870s design, when the entry porch was added.
Overall, the result of this preservation project has positively impacted the building’s usefulness. The building enhances the Bowdoin College campus, continuing its legacy of constant relationship with the institution. It is now among the most desirable residences for students due to its blend of historic features and modern conveniences. The project replaced building components that were due for maintenance, thus preserving the longevity of this important architectural artifact. The rehabilitation of the Boody-Johnson House illustrates Bowdoin College's commitment to and tradition of preserving the history of its campus and the Brunswick community for future generations.
Project Particpants
Don Borkowski, Bowdoin College
Ben Jamo, Bowdoin College
Matt Orlando, Bowdoin College
Sharon Ames, Harriman
Becky Fortier, Harriman
Mark Lee, Harriman
James Lawlor, Alpha Floor Sanding Inc.
Glen Cloutier, Cloutier's Landscaping, Inc.
Steve Morin, DeBlois Electric Inc
Tom Gilbert, East Coast Woodworking, Inc.
Tim Vire, Ed Hodsdon Masonry, Inc.
Kevin Swansen, Garaventa USA Inc.
Bob Ewing, Hardware Consultants LLC
Taylor Canaday, Horch Roofing
Keith Kroesser, KD Welding
Barry Keck, Kelley Brothers
Brett Asherman, Maine Line Fence Co.
Jeremy Bate, Marvin Windows
Todd Gagne, Nason Mechanical
Morgan Monagle, Paul White Co. Inc.
Sarah Parent, Quality Insulation
Jonathan Blanchard, Sprinker Systems, Inc.
John Logan, Theodore Logan & Son, Inc.
Nick Mardas, Zachau Construction
Adam Routhier, Zachau Construction
Joe Horner, Zimba Company
Carol Liscovitz, Carol Liscovitz Photography
Jill Johanning, Alpha One
Scott Hanson, Sutherland Conservation & Consulting
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