Hidden Treasures – Prismatic Glass!

October 5, 2011

Historic preservation is a never-ending process of discovery. While restoring a classic building we often find architectural treasures that had been hidden for many years. One of the most exciting moments so far in the Avery Block Building restoration was when we uncovered huge prismatic glass transom windows that had been concealed for decades behind layers of paint and metal sheathing. The architects at SlaterPaull had suspected we would find transom windows. We did, too. But there’s nothing like the moment when you bring something so beautiful as antique prismatic glass to light!

In the photograph above, look for the horizontal band of plywood over the storefront windows. That’s where the transom window glass – a long band of prismatic glass – is located. Once we uncovered it, we installed this plywood shield to protect it.

Looking north along the Avery Block Building, you’ll see the transom windows in three states of disassembly. The plywood at right protects the glass uncovered so far. To the left, the glass is still concealed behind paint and metal sheathing all the way to the second group of craftsmen at work, near the Town Pump.

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