Perkins House faces expensive repairs if it's to ever re-open
Government won't commit to repairing 249-year-old Liverpool building
An engineering report released to CBC News on Nova Scotia's oldest museum details a series of structural problems inside 249-year-old Perkins House in Liverpool, including "a high potential" its exterior walls could collapse in winter weather.
The January 2015 report from Pinto Engineering led to the closure of Perkins House this year for safety reasons, but the museum does not know when or if the province will repair the building it took over in 1947.
"It can't be closed for several years. The work that needs to be done needs to be addressed now, because they let it go all these years," says Queens County Museum director Linda Rafuse.
Perkins House was built in 1766 by the diarist, merchant and privateer Simeon Perkins.
Engineers from Pinto Engineering reported the cellar floor system was in poor condition, with severe deterioration of the sub-floor boards.
There was unacceptably high moisture throughout the building, shown by the mould and mildew present in the walls. Rot and decay were also found in sill beams and floor joists.
Dozens of jacks were installed as temporary solution.
"It is fixable," says Rafuse.
The engineering report says it wil take six months to repair Perkins House, but the cost estimate was deleted in the version released to CBC. Rafuse says it's $550,000.
"The foundation is the primary concern. It rests on crumbling stone on one side or bare earth on the other. That's why she settles," she said.
The museum has a number of events planned for June 2016 to mark the 250th anniversary of Perkins House, including a re-enactor encampment and a real wedding for two staff members.
It's not clear whether the museum will be re-opened.
Today a spokeswoman for the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage said the department understands the importance of Perkins House to the community.
"We have agreed to explore the possibility of taking a phased approach to the repairs, but we do not yet have sufficient information to commit to a timeline," Krista Higdon told CBC News.
"It is difficult to give an estimate for the cost of the work, as we have not yet prepared a work plan."
The report contains several photos of the decaying interior.