Project Overview:

This property holds exceptional significance for the Willa Cather Foundation. The restoration required meticulous care to preserve the home’s historic integrity while modernizing its infrastructure:

The house was carefully lifted to avoid damaging the original plaster walls and wallpaper on the first floor. A new full basement was constructed beneath the existing structure. To maintain historical authenticity, original brick was installed above grade level, and additional original brick was cut down and applied as veneer along the top two feet of the interior basement walls—recreating the appearance of the brick that once lined the original crawl space perimeter.

All windows, doors, and siding were either restored or repaired to their original condition. A new cedar shake roof was installed with a specially designed insulation and ventilation system that protects the historic structure while meeting modern performance standards.

The attic was carefully restored to match its appearance during the period when Willa Cather’s family lived in the home. On the main floor, work was limited to preserve existing historic finishes, with updates restricted to new electrical, fire alarm, and security systems installed discreetly throughout.

An ADA-compliant ramp with integrated lighting was added at the entrance to improve accessibility to the first floor. The entire yard was regraded and reseeded, and a new fence was constructed based on period photographs to replicate the original fence that stood during the Cather family’s residency.