Newark Museum Plans Rehabilitation of Historic Ballantine House

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The Ballantine House could be restored to its original appearance. Photo courtesy of Building Conservation Associates.

One of the few historic homes in Newark that is usually open to the public could soon look like it did when it was constructed more than 135 years ago.

The Newark Museum of Art has plans for a rehabilitation project involving the Ballantine House at 43 Washington Street. The house dates back to 1885 and is attached to the main museum, but it is temporarily closed at the moment.

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The Ballantine House is attached to the Newark Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of Building Conservation Associates.

The museum submitted an application to the City of Newark that calls for a $10.6 million exterior renovation of the home, which was once home to members of the family behind the Ballantine Brewing Company.

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The Ballantine House was home to the family behind Ballantine Brewing Company. Photo courtesy of Building Conservation Associates.

The plans involve everything from replacing existing sandstone and missing roof shingles to restoring more than 90 windows and rebuilding masonry.

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Exterior restoration work is needed. Photo courtesy of Building Conservation Associates.
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Photo courtesy of Building Conservation Associates.
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Photo courtesy of Building Conservation Associates.

“The exterior envelope of the Ballantine House may look more or less in keeping with its historic design, but it has been significantly altered in terms of materials and no longer exhibits material integrity,” a presentation regarding the proposal says.

“[The] Ballantine House has had significant alterations to the exterior. All prior repairs have failed,” the document adds. “The current goal is to implement a long-term solution using proven materials.”

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Photo courtesy of Building Conservation Associates.

In order to comply with a funding requirement from the Association of Art Museum Directors, work must be completed by April 2022, according to the presentation.

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