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RESTORATION
 The
rehabilitation, restoration and renovation of the
historic house started November 1, 1992 and
is on-going. We follow the guidelines of the Secretary
of the Interior to assure that every aspect of our work
is in keeping with the concepts of historic
preservation. The property was designated a California
landmark and placed on the National Register of Historic
Places in 1972. At that time the house had been painted
white because Theresa Locke Thorp, youngest daughter of
Dr. and Mrs. Locke, had always wanted to live in a white
house.
Finding
specialized and willing craftsmen was challenging.
However, once someone signed on to the project, they
stayed. Their enthusiasm is reflected in the comment
our chief interior painter said as he got out of his
truck, “Are you the people who are trying to save this
house? I’m here to help!” And help they did,
recommending and enlisting others to sign on to the
Locke House project. Some even came out of retirement.
Some retired after finishing their part of the project.
They were great problems solvers who had a lot of
patience and great senses of humor. We are forever
grateful to them.
The house
was tackled in stages: replacing and repointing brick;
replacing broken windows; installing plumbing  and
electricity; replastering and soundproofing walls;
moving door openings to create private bathrooms;
finally tiling, floor refinishing, and painting both
exterior and interior. Furniture was restored and
repaired. At long last, we were able to decorate the
rooms, using original wall paper patterns and color
schemes as guides. These same stages were followed to
renovate the water tower, farm office, and Chinese
cook’s kitchen and laundry to create the Water Tower
Suite and inn Baking Kitchen.
Guests will
find a more detailed account of the restoration in the
binders in their rooms. |
