Awards & Exhibitions

Nantucket Preservation Trust Announces 2024 Award

Historical Renovation Award: Michele Kolb, 27 North Liberty Street
In August 2023, architect Michele Kolb purchased the Seth Ray cooperage (c. 1798), a contributing structure abutting the Lily Pond. 27 North Liberty Street was in need of repair and restoration. Prior Nantucket Historic District Commission approval for the site would have allowed a second-floor addition, rear and side additions, removal of all the historic windows, and the demolition of all historic interiors.

Under Michele's ownership, new plans for a historical renovation were filed with the Historic District Commission with the goal of retaining as much of the existing historic fabric as possible. Late-19th century were retained and restored, as was the original post and beam structure. Two small additions were added, a rear bathroom over what had been an existing shed and a single-story side addition for a bathroom and laundry.

Much of the focus of the work was to retain, restore, and rescue the historic fabric of the building. Windows were removed, restored, reglazed, and reinstalled with new pulleys, ropes, and counterweights. Floors were restored and refinished. New services, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing were installed. All existing doors and hardware were retained, refinished, and reinstalled. Where needed, salvaged doors were used to match existing ones.

The work was completed in just nine months under Michele's leadership. This past summer renters enjoyed experiencing historic Nantucket without sparing modern conveniences.